Horses: Flashtoglory Returns to Defend Title in Lou Wooten and Sydney Valentini Stakes

A familiar name will headline Saturday’s 25th running of the $80,000 Lou Wooten and Sydney Valentini Stakes at Sunland Park, as Flashtoglory returns to defend her title in one of the early-season highlights for New Mexico-bred quarter horse fillies and mares.

Owned, bred, and trained by David Meridyth, Flashtoglory has been a model of consistency throughout her career. The mare by First Moonflash won this race a year ago, launching a standout 2025 campaign that included two additional stakes victories at Zia Park. Now an eight-time winner with more than $553,000 in earnings, she arrives at Sunland Park riding a two-race win streak and having finished in the money in 20 of her 26 career starts.

Subscribe to the Daily Las Cruces Digest

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *How would you like to be addressed in personalized emails?

/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things – do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

Flashtoglory will again be partnered with regular rider Christian Ramos as she breaks from the outside post in the 400-yard dash, a Grade II event restricted to state-bred older fillies and mares. A full field of 12 was entered, underscoring the depth of competition for this year’s renewal.

Chief among the challengers is Good Things Come, who narrowly missed turning the tables on Flashtoglory in their most recent meeting in the New Mexico Classic Distaff at Zia Park. The five-year-old mare, trained by Clinton Crawford for owner Renee K. Wilson, has already earned more than $135,000 in her career and has proven she belongs at this level. Bred in New Mexico by Codi Burris, she will be ridden by Jacob Enriquez.

The remainder of the field brings a mix of experience, emerging talent, and distinctive personalities, including Jm Famous Wynn, Merrmaid, Milagro Lady, Chicka Boom Babe, First Flashin, Big Daddy Farr, Macho Daddys Girl, and Jess Paid. Also entered are Heart Breakn Blondie and Royal Post, both eligible to draw in should a spot open. Together, the group represents a wide range of bloodlines, trainers, and racing styles, promising a competitive and fast-paced contest.

The Lou Wooten and Sydney Valentini Stakes is scheduled as the eighth race on a nine-race card Saturday at Sunland Park, with an approximate post time of 3:32 p.m. First race post time is 12:25 p.m.