Robisons look to start big week in New Mexico Cup

Kirk and Judy Robison are embarking on the most important week of their 25 years in racing, as the couple attempts to win four sprint stakes in the $1.5 million New Mexico Cup on Sunday at Zia Park and the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint next Saturday at Del Mar.

The Robisons own Jackie’s Warrior, who is the early favorite for the BC Sprint. They also are leaders in the New Mexico breeding program and have homebreds Del Mar Summer, Cheese Tray, and Speedy Wildcat in three of the 12 stakes making up New Mexico Cup Day.

“We’re excited about the opportunity,” Kirk Robison said.

The New Mexico Cup features eight divisional stakes for Thoroughbreds bred in New Mexico and four for Quarter Horses. Each of the Thoroughbred races is worth $100,000.

The Robisons have seven or eight mares in New Mexico and also have ownership interest in some stallions. They are past breeders of the year in the state and have raced multiple New Mexico-bred champions. The couple also buys at auction and has had such notable runners as near-millionaire Isn’t He Clever and, now, Jackie’s Warrior.

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“He’s garnered a lot of attention for the right reasons,” Kirk Robison said of Jackie’s Warrior. “He’s a tough horse. He’s never missed a day of training. He started his career with four wins in a row, including two Grade 1’s. Incredible.

“By far and away, he’s the best horse we’ve ever had. We’re very grateful for the horse. Very grateful to get to go to the Breeders’ Cup and have a legitimate chance to win the race.”

The Robison horses in the New Mexico Cup are all contenders. Speedy Wildcat goes in the first of the Thoroughbred stakes, the Oaks over six furlongs. She is a two-time winner at Zia, including a recent allowance, and will break from post 3. Trainer Joel Marr has given the mount to Miguel Fuentes. The probable favorite is Proofsinthepuddin.

One race later the Robisons have Cheese Tray in the derby over six furlongs. He’s cutting back to one turn, the configuration of both of his wins, off a runner-up finish in the $100,000 Casino at the Downs Thoroughbred Derby at Albuquerque. Aldo Arboleda has the mount for trainer Todd Fincher. The probable favorite is One Mark, who is going for his fifth straight win in a streak that includes the Casino at the Downs Derby.

Cheese Tray is named for a dish the Robisons order when at the beach at Del Mar.

“I have a lot of fun naming the horses – thinking of names that might work, names my grandkids might think are funny,” Kirk Robison said.

The Robisons have eight grandchildren who range in age from late teens to early 20s and all will be at the Breeders’ Cup.

Del Mar Summer is the final Robison starter in the New Mexico Cup, and he goes in the Sprint for 3-year-olds and up over six furlongs. Del Mar Summer won an allowance at Ruidoso in his most recent start Aug. 14. He has natural speed and from post 3 might get an ideal tracking trip off the rail-drawn Hollywood Henry, who in his last start won over 870 yards in a race open to Quarter Horses. Del Mar Summer is trained by Marr and will be ridden by Fuentes.

“I’m pleased with our horses’ form coming into the races,” Kirk Robison said. “They’re competitive races. And there’s always large fields for these races. If you can win, it’s great.”

Winning is something the Robisons never take for granted, especially with a horse like Jackie’s Warrior.

“A lot of people invest a lot of money and never have a Grade 1 winner,” Kirk Robison said, noting racing’s many obstacles. “It’s a dream come true. He’s the horse of a lifetime.”

◗ In other stakes, the Peppers Pride for fillies and mares at a mile drew a standout in Slammed. She will be chasing after her fifth straight win and fourth consecutive stakes victory. Overall, the 3-year-old is 5 for 6. Tracy Hebert has the mount for Fincher.

◗ Thunder Dome will attempt to win the Rocky Gulch for 3-year-olds and up at a mile for the third time. He first captured the race in 2018, then won it again in 2020. Hebert has the mount for trainer Dallas Barton. Thunder Dome races for W.D. Carson, Sr., M.H. Carson, and Leach Racing.

◗ Bella Dona, a winner of 4 of 5 starts, returns to racing with fillies in the Lassie for 2-year-olds. She defeated males Sept. 19 in the New Mexico State Fair Futurity at Albuquerque. Action Junky, who was second in the Futurity, will seek to win his maiden in the Juvenile.

◗ Tight Fittin Jeans has used her outstanding speed to win 5 of 11 career outs and has a chance to slip away at the start in the Distaff Sprint.