RUIDOSO DOWNS — Trainer JJ Gonzales III qualified the top four quarter horses for the New Mexico-bred Mountain Top Derby for 3-year-olds Saturday at Ruidoso Downs.

The fastest time of the day belonged to Copy of Jess and jockey Eduardo Nicasio, winner of the third race in a time of 17.407 seconds for 350 yards. The filly bested the field by one-and-a-quarter lengths following a stumble out of the gate and paid $10.20, $6.40 and $4.40.

Copy of Jess is sired by Jesse James Jr out of the mare Fast Copy Miss by Heza Fast Man. The filly won for the third time in eight career starts.

The four quarter horses conditioned by Gonzales include: Wood Be Bad and Bigg Curlie Bill in the first race, Copy of Jess in the third race, and Daddysqueenofalice in the fifth race.

Mendel, a 2-year-old New Mexico-bred quarter horse, broke sharply and excellerated to a three-and-a-half length win in the third trial race Friday for the $350,486 Mountain Top Futurity at Ruidoso Downs.

“For a first-start I thought the horse showed tremendous talent,” jockey Francisco Calderon said. “The winds were playing around throughout the day but this one got rolling pretty quickly and pulled-away with a very nice time.”

Mendel is sired by Big Daddy Cartel out of the mare Diamondia by Mr Jess Perry. The gelding paid $6.60, $4.40 and $3.40 in the fastest time of the day, 17.595 for 350 yards. Trainer JJ Gonzales III trains Medel for owner Carlos Lujan of Rancho El 48.

The top-10 fastest times advanced to the Mountain Top Futurity final to be run on Sunday, June 16.

Racing continues today at Ruidoso Downs with trials for the $112,407 Maiden Stakes. Post time is set for 1 p.m.