RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JULY 31, 2021—Rex Wells' Bigg Dee got his first graded stakes win on Saturday when he got up at the wire of defeat Fanncee by a nose in the $203,478 Zia Quarter Horse Derby(RG2) during the Zia Festival at Ruidoso Downs Race Track. Hollyn Bootie was a neck back in the blanket finish to take third.

“He’s been so close to these good horses for so long that he deserves this,” trainer James Gonzales said in the winner’s circle. “We knew he would excel at 400-yards. He’s just so (physically) big that he needs the extra ground to be successful.”

Under jockey Mario Delgado, Bigg Dee completed the 400 yards in :19.603 seconds, equaling a 97 speed index into a 3 mph crosswind over a fast racing surface. It was the sixth win in 11 career starts for the son of leading New Mexico sire Big Daddy Cartel.

The $85,462 Zia Derby winner's purse brings Bigg Dee's total earnings to $198,741. He and runner-up Fanncee dead-heated for second in the Mountain Top New Mexico-Bed QH Derby last month.

“When he broke as well as he did, I knew that it was going to be a good day,” Delgado said. “He just takes him that moment to gather himself—but today he was ready when they kicked the gate. “

MJ Farms bred Bigg Dee from Miss Woody Dee by Woodbridge. He won the Zia Quarter Horse Juvenile at Ruidoso last summer and was second in the New Mexico State Fair Futurity(RG2) at 2.

Bigg Dee went off as the 2-1 favorite in the tenth race and paid $6.40, $3.60 and $2.60

Royally-bred Fancee just missed under jockey Alan Hernandez. The daughter of Big Daddy Cartel picked up $36,262 for her effort. Wesley T. Giles saddled the gray filly out of champion Astica, by Jesses James Jr, for owner-breeder MJ Farms. The multiple stakes-placed filly has earned $142,585.

Holly Bootie finished a neck back in the blanket-finish to make it a Big Daddy Cartel trifecta. Trey Wood trains the gray filly out of Datona Doll, by Jesses James Jr, for owner-breeders Mark and Annette McCloy. Ridden by Tanner Thedford, Holly Bootie earned $20,348 to bring her bankroll to $185,466. The talented filly won the Zia Futurity(G1) at Ruidoso last summer.

Woodys Gold, Out N Gone, Icy Morning Breeze, Roll Big River, Leading Cartel and Eagles And Dragons completed the field.

The Zia Festival continues on Sunday with the $319,805 Zia Quarter Horse Futurity, $50,000 Zia Quarter Horse Juvenile, $50,000 Lincoln Stakes, and $50,000 Road Runner Stakes, all part of a twelve-race card with first post scheduled for 1 p.m. (MDT).

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For more information about the Ruidoso Downs 2021 racing schedule or to reserve your tickets and plan your visit, go to RaceRuidoso.com.