HOBBS, NM—OCTOBER 31, 2021—In a sharp effort under jockey Jorge Torres, Woodys Gold defeated Chicky Chicky Kai by a neck in the $205,940 New Mexico Classic Derby(RG2) Sunday afternoon at Zia Park. Post-time favorite Bigg Dee was a nose back in the blanket finish to take third.

Racing for owner Cavenaugh Quarter Horses, LLC, Woodys Gold covered the 400 yards in :19.327 seconds, equaling a 103 speed index with a 15 mph tailwind. It was the fifth career win for the multiple graded stakes winning son of Woodbridge.

Clinton Crawford trains the 3-year-old gelding who won the New Mexico State Fair Futurity(RG3) and was second in the Zia QH Futurity(RG1) and Mountain Top NM Bred QH Futurity(RG2) at 2. This season he qualified for the Grade 2 Heritage Place Derby at Remington Park, the Zia QH Derby and the New Mexico State Fair Derby.

Bred by MJ Farms, from the thoroughbred mare All About Gold by Gold Case, Woodys Gold has compiled a (14) 5-5-1 record. Today's winner's purse valued at $100,911 brings his lifetime mark to $483,174.

Chicky Chicky Kai, owned by Mike Parker and trained by Larry Chavez, earned $35,009 for second. Runner-up in the New Mexico State Fair Derby(RG3) on September 19th, the son of multiple stakes sire Jess A Chicks has earned $135,150. Sergio Becerra, Jr. was aboard the Dirk Jones bred runner out of Wahene Kai by Brookstone Bay.

Trainer James J. Gonzales, II saddled third-place finisher Bigg Dee for owner Rex Wells. Another MJ Farms bred son of Big Daddy Cartel, from the Woodbridge mare Miss Wood Dee, Bigg Dee picked up $20,594 for his effort. Mario Delgado was aboard the $347,154 earner.

Leading Cartel, Hollyn Bootie, Roll Big River, Dragon On Ice, Mallone and Sheza Fast Jesse completed the field.

All Zia Park races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.