Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Kentucky Derby winning owner Mark Allen wins
$131,707 Sunland Winter Quarter Horse Derby with Time for a Cigar
Double Eagle Ranch and Mark Allen sweep the day with
Templar Knight in the $224,407 Sunland Winter Quarter Horse Futurity
Stealth Cat finishes fast to win $50,000 Bold Ego Handicap
Owned by Kentucky Derby winner Mark Allen of the Double Eagle Ranch, Time for a Cigar sped to a dramatic neck victory in the $131,707 Sunland Park Winter Quarter Horse Futurity at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Sunday.
Under jockey Freddie Martinez, Time for a Cigar closed powerfully in the final 100 yards to win the 400 yard Grade 2 Quarter Horse feature for the Double Eagle Ranch and trainer Tony Sedillo. Breaking from the #2 post position, Time for a Cigar chased down the fast starting Jodys Money Pop and the game Christmas Cheer to gain a narrow edge in the blanket finish. The three-year-old Corona Cartel gelding posted a winning time of 19.18 seconds, good for a 94 speed index.
Last summer, Time for a Cigar won the Ruidoso Quarter Horse Derby. He earned $61,902 on Sunday, pushing his lifetime take past $317,000. He improved his overall record past the $300,000 mark. The 3-1 shot paid $8.40 on a $2 win ticket.
Mark Allen is co-owner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.
Christmas Cheer finished a close second, a length in front of Jodys Money Pop. 3-5 favorite Louisiana Senator finished a disappointing fourth, beaten one and one-half lengths.
Mark Allen and trainer Tony Sedillo came back to sweep the day’s Quarter Horse stakes by winning the $224,407 Sunland Winter Quarter Horse Futurity with Templar Knight. Under jockey Kenny Muntz, the fast improving son of First Down Dash surged in the final strides to collect a head victory in the 400 yard Grade 2 feature. The good looking sorrel gelding closed fast from fifth place in mid-stretch.
Templar Knight earned a big paycheck of $105,472 from his second career win. He sped through the 400 yards in 19.334 seconds, earning a 90 speed index. The rapidly developing two-year-old should be one to watch from the Double Eagle Ranch of Roswell, New Mexico.
An unlucky Double Down Special broke in the air at the start but still managed a terrific race. The son of The Down Side closed boldly from last place to earn second place under jockey Ricky Ramirez. The runner-up earned $40,393 for owner Vanessa Bartoo of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
A Sweet Gamble finished a close third under jockey Tad Leggett. The filly earned $24,685 for owner Amber Blair.
Locally owned Stealth Cat closed with a furious rush to win the $50,000 Bold Ego Handicap at five and one-half furlongs. Despite breaking slowly, the 2008 Texas-bred Horse of the Year packed an energetic stretch attack to mow down Cape of Bradford in the final furlong. Stealth Cat responded well from a cool ride from Luis Contreras. The normally fast starting mare was forced into come from behind tactics. The five-year-old bay mare by Magic Cat took a benefit from a hot pace set by Cape of Bradford who blazed through fractions of 21.92 and 44.78 seconds, respectively.
Stealth Cat took dead aim on the front runner and blasted away to a one-length victory in a time of 1:03.78. She earned a $30,000 paycheck for owner J. Kirk Robison of El Paso, Texas. The winner is trained by Steven Asmussen. Overall, the well decorated multiple stakes winner has won 11 races from 30 tries and carries a bankroll of over $393,000. Last year, Stealth Cat finished second in the Bold Ego Handicap.
Cape of Bradford looked like a winner heading into the top of the stretch but had no answers for the energetic closer. She and jockey Jose Figueroa had to settle for second. Magdalena’s Chase fought hard to gain third place. She chased Cape of Bradford early and gave way in upper stretch.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday at 12:25 p.m. The $107,000 Riley Allison Futurity is the featured 10th race.
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Sunday, December 27, 2009
Kentucky Derby winning owner Mark Allen wins
$131,707 Sunland Winter Quarter Horse Derby with Time for a Cigar
Double Eagle Ranch and Mark Allen sweep the day with
Templar Knight in the $224,407 Sunland Winter Quarter Horse Futurity
Stealth Cat finishes fast to win $50,000 Bold Ego Handicap
Owned by Kentucky Derby winner Mark Allen of the Double Eagle Ranch, Time for a Cigar sped to a dramatic neck victory in the $131,707 Sunland Park Winter Quarter Horse Futurity at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Sunday.
Under jockey Freddie Martinez, Time for a Cigar closed powerfully in the final 100 yards to win the 400 yard Grade 2 Quarter Horse feature for the Double Eagle Ranch and trainer Tony Sedillo. Breaking from the #2 post position, Time for a Cigar chased down the fast starting Jodys Money Pop and the game Christmas Cheer to gain a narrow edge in the blanket finish. The three-year-old Corona Cartel gelding posted a winning time of 19.18 seconds, good for a 94 speed index.
Last summer, Time for a Cigar won the Ruidoso Quarter Horse Derby. He earned $61,902 on Sunday, pushing his lifetime take past $317,000. He improved his overall record past the $300,000 mark. The 3-1 shot paid $8.40 on a $2 win ticket.
Mark Allen is co-owner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.
Christmas Cheer finished a close second, a length in front of Jodys Money Pop. 3-5 favorite Louisiana Senator finished a disappointing fourth, beaten one and one-half lengths.
Mark Allen and trainer Tony Sedillo came back to sweep the day’s Quarter Horse stakes by winning the $224,407 Sunland Winter Quarter Horse Futurity with Templar Knight. Under jockey Kenny Muntz, the fast improving son of First Down Dash surged in the final strides to collect a head victory in the 400 yard Grade 2 feature. The good looking sorrel gelding closed fast from fifth place in mid-stretch.
Templar Knight earned a big paycheck of $105,472 from his second career win. He sped through the 400 yards in 19.334 seconds, earning a 90 speed index. The rapidly developing two-year-old should be one to watch from the Double Eagle Ranch of Roswell, New Mexico.
An unlucky Double Down Special broke in the air at the start but still managed a terrific race. The son of The Down Side closed boldly from last place to earn second place under jockey Ricky Ramirez. The runner-up earned $40,393 for owner Vanessa Bartoo of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
A Sweet Gamble finished a close third under jockey Tad Leggett. The filly earned $24,685 for owner Amber Blair.
Locally owned Stealth Cat closed with a furious rush to win the $50,000 Bold Ego Handicap at five and one-half furlongs. Despite breaking slowly, the 2008 Texas-bred Horse of the Year packed an energetic stretch attack to mow down Cape of Bradford in the final furlong. Stealth Cat responded well from a cool ride from Luis Contreras. The normally fast starting mare was forced into come from behind tactics. The five-year-old bay mare by Magic Cat took a benefit from a hot pace set by Cape of Bradford who blazed through fractions of 21.92 and 44.78 seconds, respectively.
Stealth Cat took dead aim on the front runner and blasted away to a one-length victory in a time of 1:03.78. She earned a $30,000 paycheck for owner J. Kirk Robison of El Paso, Texas. The winner is trained by Steven Asmussen. Overall, the well decorated multiple stakes winner has won 11 races from 30 tries and carries a bankroll of over $393,000. Last year, Stealth Cat finished second in the Bold Ego Handicap.
Cape of Bradford looked like a winner heading into the top of the stretch but had no answers for the energetic closer. She and jockey Jose Figueroa had to settle for second. Magdalena’s Chase fought hard to gain third place. She chased Cape of Bradford early and gave way in upper stretch.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday at 12:25 p.m. The $107,000 Riley Allison Futurity is the featured 10th race.
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