SUNLAND PARK, NM—JANUARY19, 2022—A dozen New Mexico-bred Quarter Horses, headed by morning-line favorite Woodys Gold, are entered in Saturday’s 440-yard, $100,000 Dona Ana County Stakes (R) at Sunland Park.

A 4-year-old Woodbridge gelding trained by Clint Crawford for owner Cavenaugh Quarter Horses LLC, Woodys Gold is coming off of a sophomore campaign during which he earned $158,892 from eight races and scored a neck victory in the October 31, $206,000 New Mexico Cup Derby RG2 at Zia Park. The Dona Ana County will mark his first career start at the classic quarter-mile distance.

Woodys Gold drew post 8 and will be ridden by Jorge Torres.

Other contenders include Rex Wells’ Colby James, a 5-year-old son of Jesse James Jr trained by James Gonzales III. Colby James will be stretching out in distance off of his half-length win in the 400-yard, $100,000 Red Or Green Stakes (RG1) on January 8.

Colby James has won seven of 19 starts — including two of three at Sunland Park — and he has banked $490,168. The gelding drew post 4 and will be ridden by Ricky Ramirez.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:

1. Perrys Regard (Alfredo Sigala), 6-1
2. Bigg Dee (Mario Delgado), 6-1
3. Fly On Down (Jose A. Alvarez), 12-1
4. Colby James (Ricky Ramirez), 9-2
5. Spiritonthemountain (Noe Garcia Jr.), 10-1
6. Marcus Medallion (Adrian Ramos), 8-1
7. Effortless Candy Cat (Alan Hernandez), 15-1
8. Woodys Gold (Jorge Torres), 4-1
9. Don Chuy C (Jaime Parga Leos), 12-1
10. Cartel Drunk Playboy (Jacob Enriquez), 15-1

AE-Trace My Dust (Jose A. Alvarez), 15-1
AE-Magnifico Dragon (Hector Aldrete), 20-1

All Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.

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The 2021-22 racing season, which features both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, runs from December 31 through April 3. Live racing is traditionally offered four days each week on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Year-round Simulcast wagering is also available on racetracks across the country.

Courtesy NMHBA.com