Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Gone to the Mountain smashes 870 yard world record in $57,600 Red Cell New Mexico Challenge
Austin Lights wins $36,950 SPRC Claiming Series – Phase #3
The phenomenal 870 yard star Gone to the Mountain smashed the world and track records with a powerful win in the $57,600 Grade 3 Red Cell New Mexico Challenge at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Sunday.
Racing as the prohibitive 1-2 favorite, Gone to the Mountain shot to the front early in the 870 yard event and was in total control rounding the far turn. With jockey Freddie Martinez in the saddle, Gone to the Mountain opened up the throttle racing into the stretch with a 4-length lead. The inspiring distance champ rolled to a near 7-length win in a track and world record time of 43.02 seconds, good for a 115 speed index. The previous 870 yard track record was held by Rock N Strawfly in 2002 with a 43.845 second clocking.
Gone to the Mountain also demolished the former world record of 43.533 seconds held by Heza Mystic Man at Yavapai Downs. He has been scintillating in all three Sunland starts this meet. His combined win margin from three wins is nearly 17 lengths. His velocity has increased in each start.
Gone to the Mountain earned a $27,648 for owner Clyde Woerner of Georgetown, Texas. He is trained by Wes Giles. The four-year-old stallion by Panther Mountain has earned over $244,000 from 6 wins in 17 starts. Woerner indicated that his charge would be campaigned in Oklahoma and Texas challenge races.
Tricky Dust, a multiple stakes winner at the distance, closed nicely from a slow start to gain second place. The nine-year-old Favorite Trick gelding finished strongly after a wide trip under jockey Kenny Muntz. The runner-up sped past High On Cat in deep stretch but was no threat to the winner. Tricky Dust has earned over $415,000 in his well decorated career. He has 15 wins and 6 second from 38 starts.
High On Cat delivered a solid effort and finished in third along the rail. He was nearly 3 lengths in front of Stand Up Philosopher.
The popular $2 superfecta returned $59.60.
Austin Lights surged in mid-stretch to take a commanding three and one-half length win in the $36,950 SPRC Claiming Series – Phase #3. Under a patient ride from Ken Tohill, the 6-5 favorite came through as advertised with a stirring stretch run. The former Texas stakes winner was in sharp form for trainer Chris Hartman.
The seven-year-old bay gelding by Hadif won for the 8th time in his career. He earned a $22,170 paycheck for the Black Hawk Stables. Winning time for the six and one-half furlongs was a good 1:15.84. Austin Lights has earned over $204,000 in his career. He was subsequently claimed for $10,000 by new owner and trainer Charles Gray.
Sunny Topper finished second, three-parts of a length in front of Super Danny. The latter had won the first two legs of the claiming series.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday at 12:55 p.m. There are only 2 more exciting live racing weekends left in the season. The 77-day meet wraps up on Tuesday, April 21.
-30-
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Gone to the Mountain smashes 870 yard world record in $57,600 Red Cell New Mexico Challenge
Austin Lights wins $36,950 SPRC Claiming Series – Phase #3
The phenomenal 870 yard star Gone to the Mountain smashed the world and track records with a powerful win in the $57,600 Grade 3 Red Cell New Mexico Challenge at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Sunday.
Racing as the prohibitive 1-2 favorite, Gone to the Mountain shot to the front early in the 870 yard event and was in total control rounding the far turn. With jockey Freddie Martinez in the saddle, Gone to the Mountain opened up the throttle racing into the stretch with a 4-length lead. The inspiring distance champ rolled to a near 7-length win in a track and world record time of 43.02 seconds, good for a 115 speed index. The previous 870 yard track record was held by Rock N Strawfly in 2002 with a 43.845 second clocking.
Gone to the Mountain also demolished the former world record of 43.533 seconds held by Heza Mystic Man at Yavapai Downs. He has been scintillating in all three Sunland starts this meet. His combined win margin from three wins is nearly 17 lengths. His velocity has increased in each start.
Gone to the Mountain earned a $27,648 for owner Clyde Woerner of Georgetown, Texas. He is trained by Wes Giles. The four-year-old stallion by Panther Mountain has earned over $244,000 from 6 wins in 17 starts. Woerner indicated that his charge would be campaigned in Oklahoma and Texas challenge races.
Tricky Dust, a multiple stakes winner at the distance, closed nicely from a slow start to gain second place. The nine-year-old Favorite Trick gelding finished strongly after a wide trip under jockey Kenny Muntz. The runner-up sped past High On Cat in deep stretch but was no threat to the winner. Tricky Dust has earned over $415,000 in his well decorated career. He has 15 wins and 6 second from 38 starts.
High On Cat delivered a solid effort and finished in third along the rail. He was nearly 3 lengths in front of Stand Up Philosopher.
The popular $2 superfecta returned $59.60.
Austin Lights surged in mid-stretch to take a commanding three and one-half length win in the $36,950 SPRC Claiming Series – Phase #3. Under a patient ride from Ken Tohill, the 6-5 favorite came through as advertised with a stirring stretch run. The former Texas stakes winner was in sharp form for trainer Chris Hartman.
The seven-year-old bay gelding by Hadif won for the 8th time in his career. He earned a $22,170 paycheck for the Black Hawk Stables. Winning time for the six and one-half furlongs was a good 1:15.84. Austin Lights has earned over $204,000 in his career. He was subsequently claimed for $10,000 by new owner and trainer Charles Gray.
Sunny Topper finished second, three-parts of a length in front of Super Danny. The latter had won the first two legs of the claiming series.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday at 12:55 p.m. There are only 2 more exciting live racing weekends left in the season. The 77-day meet wraps up on Tuesday, April 21.
-30-