Dynasty Star V, under champion jockey Francisco Calderon, holds on to win the $244,710 La Fiesta Quarter Horse Derby at Albuquerque Sunday afternoon.

© Coady Photography

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—OCTOBER 22, 2023—Let go at odds of 12-1, Dynasty Star V was a gate-to-wire winner in the $244,710 La Fiesta Derby at The Downs In Albuquerque Sunday afternoon,

Under champion jockey Francisco Calderon, Dynasty Star V held off post-time favorite Fdd Cloud by a neck to take home the winner's purse valued at $122,355. The daughter of three-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty clocked :19.199 seconds for the 400 yards, equaling a 103 speed index.

Trainer Wesley T. Giles conditions the Oklahoma-bred filly out of the multiple stakes producing thoroughbred mare Cluster Of Stars by Greeley's Galaxy. Owned by Melvin and Susan Neugebauer, Dynasty Star V has won four of 11 career starts and earned $173,840.

Bred by McColee Land & Livestock LLC, Dynasty Star V was also a finalist in the La Fiesta Futurity last year at The Downs.

The winning connections of Dynasty Star V accept the La Fiesta Derby stakes trophy at Albuquerque Downs Sunday. © Coady Photography

Second fastest qualifier Fdd Cloud rallied on the outside to earn $48,942 for second. Trainer Omar Vargas named jockey Alfredo Sigala to ride the FDD Gong Grand 2-year-old for owner Aurelio Juarez.

Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm LLC bred the gelding in Texas from the Jess Elie mare A Noble Jess Elie. A winner of the Heritage Place Juvenile and finalist in the Heritage Place Derby(G2), Fdd Cloud has earned $119,813.

Sonny Seis, under champion jockey Ricky Ramirez, finished half-a-length back to earn $29,965 for third. James J. Gonzales III trans the Tres Seis gelding for owners Kim Middleton and Tye Baca.  

Flag Ranch LLC bred the 2-year-old in Oklahoma from the Tempting Dash mare Sonny D. Sonny Seis has earned $62,335.

Ms Flaming Finish, Fireside Chad, Que Bien, Jk Wicked Wanda, Lethal Demon, Hes Audacious and Kj Bootscoootin Jess completed the field.

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Albuquerque Downs Racetrack and Casino is located in the heart of Albuquerque at Expo New Mexico, the home of the New Mexico State Fair, and general admission and parking are always free (via the casino entrance on Louisiana and Central). For more information, visit abqdowns.com and click on the "Racing" link at the top of the homepage.