Page 65 - NMHBA_FALL2021

Zia Quarter Horse Derby (RG2)
BIGG DEE
Rex Wells’ Bigg Dee, the third-fastest quali- fier, was a prompt 2-1 favorite in the July 31 Zia Derby (RG2) for New Mexico-bred three-year-old Quarter Horses at Ruidoso Downs.
Prepped by James Gonzales II, Bigg Dee went 400 yards in :19.604, crossing the wire a nose in front. Mario Delgado rode the gelding, who was scoring his first career stakes win.
“When he broke as well as he did, I knew that it was going to be a good day,” said Delgado, who also rode Bigg Dee in the gelding’s Zia Derby trial. “He just (needs) that moment to gather himself, but today he was ready when they kicked the gate.”
Bigg Dee was bred by MJ Farms and he was a $30,000 yearling purchase by Wells at the 2019 New Mexico-Bred Sale. His sire, Big Daddy Cartel, earned $121,800 from five starts at Ruidoso Downs in 2011, and he was a finalist in the Grade 1 All American and Rainbow futurities.
A half-sister to stakes winner Racy La Jolla, Big Daddy Cartel has sired the earners of more than $10.6 million from six crops, including Grade 1 winner Cat Daddys Lil Girl, multiple graded stakes winner aThe stallion is owned by and stands for a $5,500 fee at MJ Farms.
Bigg Dee is out of Miss Woody Dee, an unplaced 12-year-old daughter of the Dash Ta Fame stallion Woodbridge. His second dam, the Mr Jess Perry mare Deeheiress, won the 2004 Miss Princess Handicap (G3) at Los Alamitos.
Bigg Dee traces back to his third dam, Deelish, a multiple Grade 1-winning First Down Dash mare and the sport’s Champion Two-Year- Old Filly in 1998 and Champion Aged Mare in 2000. Deelish foaled three other stakes win- ners, all of whom are half siblings to Deeheiress, including Captain Force and Da Edge.
Bigg Dee was coming off a 1 1/4-length victory in one of six Zia Derby trials on July 17. The gelding has won six of 11 starts and he has banked $200,708. Bigg Dee’s record includes a second-place run in last year’s New Mexico Cup Futurity (RG2).
“He’s been so close to these good horses for so long that he deserves this,” said Gonzales of Bigg Dee’s Zia Derby victory. “We knew he would excel at 400 yards. He’s just so big that he needs the extra ground to be successful.”
Hollyn Bootie ran third, a neck behind Bigg Dee, and was followed by Woodys Gold, Out N Gone, Icy Morning Breeze, Roll Big River, Leading Cartel, and Eagles And Dragons.
Fanncee races for MJ Farms, which
also bred the gray daughter of Big Daddy Cartel and 2015 AQHA Champion Three-Year-Old Filly Astica. Fanncee has won two of nine starts and has earned $143,428, and
the filly’s resume includes a second-place finish in last year’s New Mexico StateFair Futurity (RG3) at Albuquerque Downs.
A homebred Big Daddy Cartel filly owned by Mark and Annette McCloy, Hollyn Bootie has banked $185,934 from eight races, all
at Ruidoso Downs. Her two wins include a 1/2-length victory in last year’s 400-yard, $352,547 Zia Futurity (RG1).
by Michael Cusortelli • Photos by Jake Rogerss
RUIDOSO DOWNS
Big Daddy Cartel
Corona Cartel
Miss Racy Eyes
Miss Woody Dee
Woodbridge
Deeheiress
FALL 2021 63