Grade 2 winner Apollitical Papa will face 7 other aged runners entered in Sunday’s 440-yard, $100,000 Zia Park Championship (G1).

© Coady Photography

HOBBS, NM—DECEMBER 1, 2021—Zia Park will present four stakes -- all graded -- during its 10-race program on Sunday. Post time for the first race is set for 12 p.m. (MST).

Following are previews of all four stakes.

Zia Park Championship (G1)

Eight aged runners are entered in Sunday’s 440-yard, $100,000 Zia Park Championship (G1).

Apollitical Papa, a homebred 4-year-old son of world champion Apollitical Jess racing for Bob and Sissie McClure, is coming off of a 1 1/4-length victory in the 350-yard, $50,000 James Isaac Hobbs Stakes (G3) at Zia Park on November 7. The gelding campaigned at Remington Park during that track’s spring meet and ran second, a head behind winner Charlies Fury, in the April 17, 300-yard Bob Moore Memorial Stakes (G2).

Apollitical Papa drew post 4 and will be ridden by Noe Garcia Jr. for trainer Fred Danley.

Other contenders include KJ Frankie B, a graded stakes winning 4-year-old Apollitical Jess gelding trained by Wes Giles for owners John Lee, Kathy Lee, and Ruben Mares. KJ Frankie B has won his last two outs, including the November 21, 400-yard Lovington Stakes (G2) at Zia Park.

KJ Frankie B drew post 5 and will be ridden by Adrian Ramos.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments:

1. Bella Faccia (Alfredo Sigala)
2. Flashing Moolah (Tanner Thedford)
3. Don Chuy C (Jaime Parga Leos)
4. Apollitical Papa (Noe Garcia Jr.)
5. KJ Frankie B (Adrian Ramos)
6. Tough To Bee (Alan Hernandez)
7. Marcus Medallion (Manuel Gutierrez)
8. A Dangerous Flash (Mario Delgado)

Southwest Juvenile Championship (G2)

Jose A. Rosales’ Apolinaria Prize heads a field of 11 2-year-olds entered in Sunday’s 440-yard, $100,000 Southwest Juvenile Championship (G2).

Apolinaria Prize sports a three-race win streak that includes a neck victory in the 350-yard, $131,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) at Albuquerque Downs on October 23. The Fast Prize Cartel filly has earned $98,925 from six outs and is trained by David Gomez-Barraza.

Apolinaria Prize drew post 8 and will be ridden by Cesar T. Moreno.

Muy Peligrosito is coming off of a 1 3/4-length win at odds of 13-1 in the 440-yard, $200,000 All American Juvenile Stakes at Ruidoso Downs on September 6. The One Fabulous Eagle is trained by Albert Valles for owner Abelardo F. Gallegos.

Muy Peligrosito drew post 9 and will be ridden by Adrian Ramos.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments:

1. Strong Soul (Alan Hernandez)
2. Bad Kompany (Sergio Dominguez)
3. Cowboy Zulu (Noe Garcia Jr.)
4. LS Jacks Back (Francisco Calderon)
5. Jess Ring The Bell (Jaime Parga Leos)
6. B The One (Jesus Valenzuela)
7. HS Golden Eagle (Ricky Ramirez)
8. Apolinaria Prize (Cesar T. Moreno)
9. Muy Peligrosito (Adrian Ramos)
10. Classy Moon (Mario Delgado)
11. AE-Holland Rock (Noe Garcia Jr.)

Also on Sunday, a dozen state-bred distaffers are entered in the 400-yard, $100,000 New Mexico Filly & Mare Championship (RG1).

Mike G. Parker’s Chicky Chicky Kai will face older horses for the first time off of her second-place finish, a neck behind winner Woodys Gold, in the 400-yard, $206,000 New Mexico Cup Derby (RG2) at Zia Park on October 31. The 3-year-old daughter of Jess A Chicks has banked $127,164 from eight outs this season.

Chicky Chicky Kai drew post 3 and will be ridden by Sergio Becerra Jr. for trainer Larry Chavez.

Reigning champion distance horse Madewell drew post 7 for Sunday’s 870-yard, $50,000 King Rick Rack Stakes (G3).

A homebred homebred 7-year-old Jess Jones gelding trained by Bernard Baca for owners Ray and Davy Madewell, Madewell is coming off of a second-place finish, 2 3/4 lengths behind winner Wascallywittlewabbit, in the 870-yard, $104,000 AQHA Distance Challenge Championship (G1) at Albuquerque Downs.

Madewell has won 11 of 36 starts and has earned $333,382 in his 870-yard starts. The gelding will be ridden by Maria Baca.

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