Lori Ritz / Coady Photography - Michael Cusortelli for SureBet

Jd Baccarat fastest in rich Hobbs America Derby trials

Hobbs, NM - Sept. 25, 2011 - JD Baccarat won the last of three Hobbs America Derby (G3) trials at Zia Park on Sunday, posting the fastest qualifying time for the October 9 final.

Racing for the partnership of Cope, Herzog, Southway, Hubbard, and Masterson, JD Baccarat went 440 yards in :21.325. Esgar Ramirez rode the Texas-bred gelding by Mr Jess Perry for trainer Paul Jones.

JD Baccarat has been campaigned exclusively in New Mexico, where the gelding has earned $122,702 from four wins in 10 starts. His stakes record includes a third-place finish in the 400-yard, $702,896 Ruidoso Derby (G1) on June 11.

Second-fastest qualifier The Steel Wave won the second trial by a neck in :21.420. The gray gelding by Ocean Runaway races for Javier Marquez and is trained by Roberto Sanchez.

JD Baccarat is one of three Hobbs America Derby finalists from Jones' barn. The trainer's other qualifiers are third-fastest qualifier Royally Sandra and fifth-fastest qualifier BF Sonic Boom.

The complete list of qualifiers for the $155,151 final appears below:

Note: Earlier in the card at the conclusion of the third race, Desiriously with jockey Roy Baldillez aboard, went down as they crossed the wire. Sources said that Baldillez was bruised up but conscious and was transported to the local hospital for observation.

Baldillez piloted this year's [G1] $2.4-million All American Futurity winner Ochoa, to victory on Labor Day, after regular rider hall-of-fame jockey Jacky Martin was injured in a fall at Ruidoso Downs.