This weekend, Albuquerque Downs will host one of the sport’s most prestigious events: Championship Night. The evening is anchored by the $265,000 Grade 1 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship.

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By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 17, 2025—All eyes in the Quarter Horse racing world will be on Albuquerque Downs this weekend, as the New Mexico oval hosts one of the sport’s most prestigious events: Championship Night.

The evening is anchored by the $265,000 Grade 1 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (see related story), a race that annually attracts elite older horses who have qualified through regional Challenge races throughout the season.

A star-studded ten-race card is on tap, with graded stakes winners and national contenders from across the country ready to battle for high honors under the lights.

First post is scheduled for 6:05 PM, and anticipation is expected to build throughout the evening as racing fans and bettors await the climactic showdown in Race 10. With future champions and seasoned veterans in action, Albuquerque Downs is set to become the epicenter of Quarter Horse racing.

The stakes action begins right out of the gate with the $40,000 Sandia Stakes, an 870-yard contest for three-year-olds and older.

The morning line favorite is Rock Ya Later at 8-5, a five-year-old gelding with an ultra-consistent record at the distance. In 33 career starts, he’s been off the board only a handful of times, earning over $208,000 with five wins and 14 other top-three finishes.

Bred in Texas by Melissa L. Slayton, he’s a son of Rock Solid Jess out of Dosvedanya by Separatist. Racing for Rockin J Running Horses and trained by Tammy Kay Johnson, Rock Ya Later will break from post four under jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr.

The action continues in Race 2 with the $40,000 Lobo Derby, a 400-yard test for three-year-olds.

 Favored at 8-5 is Aj Flawless, a filly by Apollitical Jess out of Julias Perfection by Tr Dasher. Bred in California by Rancho El Cabresto Inc., she was purchased for $84,000 at the Heritage Place Sale by owners Larry and Bobbie Rice.

Trained by Marc E. Jungers, Aj Flawless has earned over $44,000 and will break from post position three with Christian Ramos aboard.

Two-year-olds take the stage next in Race 3, the $40,000 Albuquerque Juvenile Stakes at 350 yards.

The 9-5 morning line choice is Good Grief, who has been on the board in four of five starts and was runner-up in the $171,000 Four Corners Futurity. A gelding by Marfa Lights out of Good as I Was by Strawfly Special, he was bred in Oklahoma by Mr. and Mrs. L. Judd Morse.

Good Grief runs in the colors of Luis Preciado and Jose M. Montes, is trained by David M. Gomez-Barraza, and will be piloted by Luis Martinez from post two.

Older fillies and mares will line up in Race 4 for the $40,000 Downs Fall Quarter Horse Distaff Stakes at 400 yards.

 The likely favorite is Aj Gold Heart, a four-year-old mare also bred by Rancho El Cabresto Inc., sired by Apollitical Jess out of Premier Ethics by Ethics Aside. Purchased for $65,000, she now races for owner Franky A. Busani

Trained by Ricardo G. Armendariz, Jr.. With Jesse L. Levario in the irons, she’ll break from the outside post eight in a full field that includes two also-eligibles.

The final undercard stakes race, Race 5, is the $40,000 Casino at the Downs Quarter Horse Stakes, run at 440 yards for three-year-olds and up.

The 1-1 favorite is One Fabulous Boy, a homebred gelding by One Fabulous Eagle out of Check Out Kaelie by Check Him Out, bred in Oklahoma by Diane and Paul Wolfe.

She is a nine-time winner with over $222,000 in earnings. Edward Ross Hardy trains him and will break from the rail with Angel O. Ramirez in the saddle.

These five undercard stakes races provide a thrilling prelude to the evening’s Championship races, which include several graded Challenge finals capped off by the Grade 1 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship in Race 10. Top contenders such as Scoops Dynasty and Hooked N Gone headline that field of older horses, each looking to close their 2025 campaigns with a career-defining victory.

With a powerful combination of regional stars and national stakes winners, Championship Night at Albuquerque Downs promises to celebrate speed, class, and competition at the highest level. See the related Challenge Racing Preview article for complete previews of the Challenge races, including entries, odds, and analysis.

• Race 6: Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge (G1), $115,000
  • Top Contender: #3 O Donovan Rossa (3-1)
• Race 7: Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship (G1), $115,000
  • Top Contender: #9 Alliekat Dynasty (5-2)
• Race 8: John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2), $140,000
  • Top Contender: #2 Trident Iot (5-2)
• Race 9: Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3), $165,000
  • Top Contender: #6 Invasive (5-2)
• Race 10: AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1), $265,000
  • Favorite: #8 Scoops Dynasty (9-5)

The road to Championship Night has been long and competitive. These finalists have earned their way here, and now, under the lights, they will run for the glory, the history, and a place in AQHA’s storied legacy.

The Albuquerque Downs races can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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