Sunday, July 17, 2011
Winning the first of three Zia Derby (RG2) trials at Ruidoso Downs on Saturday, Viva La Moon recorded the fastest qualifying time for the $121,219 final for New Mexico-breds on July 31.
Viva La Moon is a homebred filly by Furyofthewind racing for the partnership of Alvarez, Medrano, and Ogaz, and she covered 400 yards in :19.622 while defeating second-fastest qualifier Wilmon by a neck. Gaspar Garcia rode Viva La Moon for trainer Juan Gonzalez.
Viva La Moon was bred by Dosi and Norma Alvarez of La Union, New Mexico, and the filly is a half sister to 2009 AQHA champion aged stallion First Moonflash. She has earned $10,035 from two wins in nine outs.
Second-fastest qualifier Wilmon is a gelding by the late Dash Ta Fame racing for David E. Barrett of Alto, New Mexico. The top seller at the 2009 New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale at Ruidoso Downs, Wilmon won last year's $20,000 Zia Futurity Consolation (R).
Wilmon is one of three finalists qualified by trainer Fred Danley, who has won the Zia Derby a stakes record three times, most recently with Namehimastreaker in 1997.
This year's Zia Derby will offer the third-richest purse in the stakes' 22-year history. The complete list of qualifiers appears below:
|
Horse (Sex, Pedigree)
|
Owner
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Breeder (State)
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Trainer
|
Time
|
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VIVA LA MOON
F, Furyofthewind-Nagano Moon by Major Rime
|
Alvarez, Medrano, and Ogaz
|
Dosi & Norma Alvarez
|
Juan M. Gonzalez
|
:19.622
|
|
WILMON
G, Dash Ta Fame-Champagne Lane by Lanes Leinster
|
David E. Barrett
|
MJ Farms (NM)
|
Fred Danley
|
:19.546
|
|
TALLEYS FIRST SHAKE
G, First To Shake Six-La Talea by Real Runaway
|
Eusebio V. Sanchez
|
Eusebio V. Sanchez
|
Emilio Cadena Jr.
|
:19.696
|
|
EBW GETUSUM
G, Deferred Sentence-Runaway Sweetheart by Runaway Winner
|
Ernie & Brenda Wood and Derrol Hubbard
|
Ernie & Brenda Wood (NM)
|
Blane Wood
|
:19.702
|
|
PAKEA BAY
G, Brookstone Bay-Pakea Kai by Mr Eye Opener
|
David Barrett and Sue H. May
|
Dirk Jones (NM)
|
Fred Danley
|
:19.741
|
|
HABIT RABBIT
G, Rabbits Rainbow-French Revival by Coup de Kas (TB)
|
Rita J. Danley
|
Rita J. Danley (NM)
|
Fred Danley
|
:19.763
|
|
LIONIDAS
G, Metallic Lion-Knockout Queenie by Streakaway Cash
|
Esau Hermosillo
|
Jerry Lee (NM)
|
Salvador Soto
|
:19.784
|
|
NEW MEXICO STREAKER
G, Brookstone Bay-Invisible Streaker by Invisible Injun
|
Rancho Los Dos Potrillos LLC
|
Jerry & Sheree Cannon (NM)
|
Ralph Muniz
|
:19.804
|
|
COZBY
G, Furyofthewind-Lagaria by Blushing Bug
|
The Coz Bunch
|
Linda Joiner and MJ Farms (NM)
|
Wes Giles
|
:19.806
|
|
SPICE GIRL
F, Sum Fun To Bet-Mackeys Girl by Mackeys Luck
|
Raymond Carlisle Jr.
|
Raymond Carlisle Jr. (NM)
|
Raymond Carlisle Jr.
|
:19.875
|