Three Stakes, One Stage: Championship Saturday at Sunland Park

Sunland Park Racetrack hosts one of its most accomplished cards of the season Saturday, led by the 24th running of the Grade 1 Championship at Sunland Park, a 440-yard showcase for the nation’s elite older quarter horses. The program also features two long-standing New Mexico–bred stakes races, making the day a centerpiece of the regional racing calendar.

With three established stakes races spanning generations and distances, Saturday’s card at Sunland Park offers a comprehensive look at quarter horse racing—from emerging talent to proven champions. For local fans and regional racing followers alike, the program represents both a celebration of the sport and a reminder of Sunland Park’s place on the national stage.

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A Championship Field with National Pedigree

Twelve of the sport’s top older quarter horses are set to contest the $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park, a race that has steadily grown into one of the premier events of the winter racing season. Collectively, the field represents nearly 90 career victories and close to $9.5 million in earnings—numbers that reflect both longevity and sustained excellence.

Among the headliners is Shakers No Secret, last year’s winner of the Championship, who returns seeking to defend his title. Trained by Marc Jungers, the Texas-bred six-year-old has been a fixture in top-level competition and remains one of the most recognizable horses in the division.

He will again face KJ Desparado, the all-time leading money earner in American Quarter Horse racing history, who finished just behind Shakers No Secret in last year’s renewal. The veteran campaigner brings unmatched experience and consistency to the starting gate.

Adding further depth is FDD Dreams, a recent Grade 1 winner at Los Alamitos and one of the most accomplished horses in the field, as well as Karmalites, the lone filly entered, who arrives off a major stakes victory in Texas. Together, the lineup reflects a rare convergence of champions, challengers, and proven performers.

The Championship is scheduled as the eighth race on the card, with a post time of 3:32 p.m.

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Shue Fly Stakes Showcases New Mexico’s Next Generation

The 53rd running of the Shue Fly Stakes highlights New Mexico’s top three-year-olds at 400 yards and serves as a proving ground for the state’s next wave of elite runners.

Leading the field is Pour Me A Drinkk, a homebred standout who has emerged as one of the most consistent performers of his class. Already a stakes winner, he enters the Shue Fly with a growing résumé and a reputation for finishing strong.

He will be challenged by Sure Hit, the fastest qualifier from the trials, along with a competitive group of New Mexico-bred runners who have spent the season climbing toward this opportunity.

The Shue Fly closes the program as the final race of the day, with a scheduled post time of 4 p.m.

Endurance and Experience in the Elam Memorial

The afternoon’s first major stakes event is the 20th Lonnie and Candy Elam Memorial Stakes, contested at 870 yards for older New Mexico-bred horses—a distance that rewards stamina as much as speed.

Mucho Zmoke enters in top form, having reeled off three consecutive victories since stretching out to the longer distance. His recent performances suggest he has found a rhythm well suited to the Elam’s demanding configuration.

He will face seasoned competitors including El Vital, a durable runner with multiple wins at the distance, and Jess A Outlaw, last year’s Elam winner, who returns seeking a repeat performance.

The Elam Memorial is scheduled as the seventh race on the card, with a post time of 3:04 p.m.