The opening race on Monday’s card at Zia Park is the Lea County Stakes, a $150,000 added New Mexico-bred quarter horse stakes for 3-year-olds and upward at 400 yards. This is the feature on a 10-race all-quarter horse program, drawing a competitive field of 10 state-bred sprinters, several with strong recent form over the Zia Park strip. Speed figures and gate speed will be critical on a track that has favored inside posts and front-runners through the fall meet.
Venue
Location: Zia Park Racetrack & Casino, Hobbs, New Mexico (5/16-mile oval with a 440-yard straight quarter horse chute; known for fast times and a generally speed-favoring surface)
Post Time: 12:00 p.m. MT (2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT) – Race 1
Broadcast/Streaming: Available live on RTN, Equibase video, and Zia Park’s streaming feed; replays on YouTube via NM Racing Commission channel
Expected Weather Conditions
Hobbs forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 50s°F at post time, dropping to the mid-40s by mid-card. Winds from the southwest at 10-15 mph with gusts to 20 mph – typical southeast New Mexico conditions that can slightly favor inside posts by pushing runners toward the rail. Track expected to be fast; no precipitation in forecast. No significant impact on times anticipated, but wind could affect late runners stretching from 350 yards.
Field Analysis (Post Position Order)
Morning line odds from Zia Park oddsmaker. Recent form based on last three starts (all quarter horse races unless noted).
Jess A Cartel (PP 1, 4yo gelding) – ML 8-1
Jockey: Adrian Ramos – Trainer: Wes Giles
Recent: 1st (350y allowance, Zia, :17.68), 2nd (400y stake trial, Zia), 1st (350y, Ruidoso)
Strong rail runner with two wins over this strip this meet. Giles/Ramos combo 28% at Zia. Breaks sharply; wind could help inside. Live at double-digit odds.
Kj Frida (PP 2, 5yo mare) – ML 12-1
Jockey: Francisco Calderon – Trainer: Eric Valenzuela
Recent: 3rd (400y stake, Zia), 4th (350y allowance, Zia), 2nd (400y, Sunland)
Consistent mare loves 400 yards (5-2-1-1 lifetime). Calderon hot (32% last 30 days). Needs clean break to sit close.
Woodys Gold (PP 3, 4yo gelding) – ML 6-1
Jockey: Raul Ramirez Jr. – Trainer: Toby Keeton
Recent: 1st (400y trial, Zia), 2nd (350y allowance, Zia), 1st (400y, Remington)
Keeton’s go-to closer with big late kick. Ramirez Jr. 25% with Keeton. Dangerous if pace melts.
A Revenant (PP 4, 3yo gelding) – ML 3-1 (Morning Line Favorite)
Jockey: Bryan Candanosa – Trainer: James Padgett II
Recent: 1st (400y Derby trial, Zia), 1st (350y allowance, Zia), 2nd (400y stake, Lone Star)
Sophomore star with gate-to-wire speed. Padgett/Candanosa 30% together. Best speed figures in field; draws well.
Favorite Cartel (PP 5, 6yo horse) – ML 5-1
Jockey: Juan Pulido – Trainer: Fred Danley
Recent: 2nd (400y stake, Zia), 1st (350y allowance, Zia), 3rd (400y, Sunland)
Veteran with 8 wins at Zia lifetime. Danley sharp with older horses. Stalker who needs pace to chase.
This Jets Flying (PP 6, 3yo filly) – ML 10-1
Jockey: Luis Martinez – Trainer: Jason Olmstead
Recent: 4th (400y trial, Zia), 1st (350y maiden, Zia), 2nd (300y, Remington)
Speedy filly stretching out. Olmstead ships in strong. Upset potential if loose on lead.
Big Daddy Rf (PP 7, 5yo gelding) – ML 9-2
Jockey: Emilio Tapia – Trainer: Trey Wood
Recent: 1st (400y allowance, Zia), 3rd (350y stake, Zia), 1st (400y, Ruidoso)
Wood’s top sprinter with excellent gate speed. Tapia 27% at meet. Post 7 workable for outside break.
Flash The Dasher (PP 8, 4yo gelding) – ML 15-1
Jockey: Christian Ramos – Trainer: Marc Jungers
Recent: 5th (400y trial, Zia), 3rd (350y allowance, Zia), 4th (400y, Sunland)
Longshot with early foot but tends to fade late. Needs perfect trip.
Eagle Jazz (PP 9, 3yo gelding) – ML 4-1 (Second Choice)
Jockey: Noe Garcia Jr. – Trainer: Harvey Baeza
Recent: 1st (400y Derby, Zia), 1st (350y trial, Zia), 2nd (400y, Ruidoso)
Baeza’s star with back-to-back stakes wins. Garcia Jr. riding hot. Wide post concern but talent overcomes.
Apollitical J Sister (PP 10, 5yo mare) – ML 20-1
Jockey: Raul Herrera – Trainer: Donna McArthur
Recent: 6th (400y allowance, Zia), 5th (350y, Zia), 3rd (400y, Sunland)
Outside longshot with closing kick. Needs total pace meltdown.
Track Conditions & Bias Notes
Zia Park’s 440-yard chute has played fair this meet, but inside posts (1-4) have won 58% of 400-yard races in December. Front-runners hold well on fast track; expect times in :19.60-:19.90 range.
