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Three New Mexico Cup Quarter Horse Stakes Set for Monday at Zia Park
Mountain Top Derby winner Icy Morning Breeze will head the New Mexico Cup Sophomore Stakes on Monday afternoon at Zia Park.

© Jake Rogers / Ruidoso Downs
Three New Mexico Cup Quarter Horse Stakes Set for Monday at Zia Park

HOBBS, NM—OCTOBER 30, 2021—The New Mexico Cup state-bred racing action that starts on Sunday continues into Monday, as three Quarter Horse stakes are scheduled at Zia Park.

Eight New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds are entered in Monday’s 400-yard, $30,000 New Mexico Cup Sophomore Stakes (R). Icy Morning Breeze, the 3-2 morning-line favorite, is a homebred Winners Version filly trained by Jackie Riddle for the Estate of William R. and Mary Robertson.

Icy Morning Breeze has finished sixth in her two most recent starts, but she started her 3-year-old season with a three-race win streak that included a half-length victory in the inaugural 350-yard, $91,000 Mountain Top Derby (R) at Ruidoso Downs on June 19.

Icy Morning Breeze drew post 6 and will be ridden by Hector Aldrete.

Also on Monday, graded stakes winner Dashin Approach and Cowboy Zulu head a field of 12 state-bred 2-year-olds entered in the 350-yard, $30,000 New Mexico Cup Juvenile Stakes (R).

A homebred son of first-crop sire Mr Pyc To You trained by Jorge Morales-Flores for owners George and Peggy Cobb, the gelding has earned $82,294 from seven outs, and his three wins include a three-quarter length victory in the May 23, $113,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Futurity (RG3) at SunRay Park.

Dashin Approach drew post 10 and will be ridden by Jaime Parga Leos.

Cowboy Zulu is a chestnut son of Zulu Dragon racing for Chuck Sonnenberg and trainer Fred Danley. The homebred gelding has banked $83,385 from seven races, and his summer resume includes a second-place finish, a neck behind winner Flashin Fire, in the 400-yard, $320,000 Zia Futurity (RG1) at Ruidoso Downs.

Cowboy Zulu drew post 4 and will be ridden by Mario Delgado.

Bertha S. Irigoyen’s Famous Julia is the morning-line choice for Monday’s 350-yard, $30,000 New Mexico Cup Distaff Stakes (R). A 6-year-old daughter of the Dash Ta Fame stallion Dash For Famous, Famous Julia has won eight of 28 races and has earned $123,211, and her five wins in 13 starts at the 350-yard distance include last year’s New Mexico Cup Distaff Stakes.

Famous Julia drew post 5 and will be ridden by Adrian Ramos for trainer Martin Orona Sr.

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

Reprinted courtesy New Mexico Horse Breeders' Association