MEDIA GUIDE 2019 2020 - Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
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MEDIA GUIDE 2019 – 2020
WELCOME TO THE NEWS MEDIA
$120,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Derby help propel Sunland
Park’s greatest day on March 22. All New Mexico-bred stakes
races are worth at least $100,000 each.
Leading trainers Justin Evans, Todd Fincher, Miguel Hernandez
and Susan Arnett are absolutely loaded with powerful
Thoroughbred barns for the upcoming season.
The $100,000 Riley Allison Derby at one mile on Sunday, Jan.
26 and the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby at one and one-
sixteenth miles on Sunday, Feb. 23 serve as the local prep races
for the $700,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III).
Eric Alwan The $75,000 Island Fashion Stakes at one mile for three-year-old
fillies on Sunday, Feb. 23 is the main lead in race for the $200,000
Sunland Park Oaks at one and one-sixteenth miles.
Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino begins the 61st live racing Lucrative open Thoroughbred stakes are abundant with the
season on Thursday, December 26 and extends through Tuesday, $65,000 KLAQ Handicap on Saturday, Dec. 28, the $65,000 Bold
April 21, 2020. Ego Handicap on Saturday, Jan. 4, the $75,000 Ft. Bliss Stakes
on Saturday, Jan. 25, the $65,000 Borderplex Stakes on Sunday,
The highly anticipated 68-day meet offers some of the most Jan. 26, the $65,000 Winsham Lad Handicap on Sunday, Feb.
attractive races in the Southwest. The season is powered by the 9, the $75,000 Curribot Handicap on Sunday, March 15 and the
$700,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) and a sparkling stakes schedule $75,000 Neon Desert Handicap on Saturday, April 18.
worth $5 million filled with many $100,000 stakes races.
On Saturday, April 18, the best older runners compete in the
Over $1.5 million in purses will be on the line during Sunland $150,000 Sunland Park Handicap at one and one-eighth miles.
Derby (Gr. III) day – Sunday, March 22, 2020. The 17th running 2018 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) winner Runaway Ghost won last
of the $700,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) at one and one-eighth year’s edition. The $130,000-added Copper Top Futurity
miles is the richest and most important race of the meet for happens on closing day, Tuesday, April 21.
thee-year-olds seeking a berth in the 2020 Kentucky Derby.
The Sunland Derby (Gr. III) winner receives 50 crucial qualifying A world class field of Quarter Horses is expected for the
points for entry into the Kentucky Derby. 2017 Sunland Derby 19th running of the $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park
(Gr. III) winner went on to win the Iowa Derby. Irap, fourth place (Gr. I) at 400 yards on Sunday, Dec. 29. Former World Champion.
finisher in the 2017 Sunland Derby (Gr. III), went on to win the Jessies First Down won last year’s Championship.
Blue Grass Stakes (Gr. II) at Keeneland, the Ohio Derby (Gr.
III) and the Indiana Derby (Gr. III) and was third in the Grade 1 The $200,000 est. West Texas Derby will be run on Sunday,
Travers Stakes at Saratoga. March 7. The $375,000 est. New Mexican Spring Futurity and the
$275,000 est. West Texas Futurity will be run on Sunday, April 19.
A new state record all-sources handle of over $4.8 million was
set on the 2019 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) day card. The tally was Except for opening day Thursday, Dec. 26, live racing at Sunland
the most ever bet on a single card in the history of New Mexico Park takes place on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday basis
racing. A record crowd of 19,081 fans came out to cheer the 2015 through Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Post time to start the season is
edition of the Sunland Derby (Gr. III) won by Firing Line. He 12:25 p.m. Nine races will be carded on weekdays. Ten races will
would run second to eventual Triple Crown winner American be presented on Saturdays and Sundays. Please let me know
Pharoah in the 2015 Kentucky Derby. Sunland Derby (Gr. III) how we may best serve your media needs.
winners Cutting Humor (2019), Hence (2017), Chitu (2014),
Governor Charlie (2013), Daddy Nose Best (2012) and Twice the Cheers,
Appeal (2011) all ran in the Kentucky Derby. In 2009, Mine That
Derby parlayed a fourth place finish in the Sunland Derby to a
victory in the Kentucky Derby at 50-1 odds.
In addition to the Sunland Derby (Gr. III), the $200,000 Sunland
Park Oaks, $100,000 Harry W. Henson Handicap, $100,000
Bill Thomas Memorial Stakes, $120,000 New Mexico State Eric Alwan
University Stakes, $120,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Oaks and Track Announcer and Director of Publicity
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 The Area | The Property
3 Historical Highlights | Track Facts
4 Rick Baugh General Manager | Sunland Park & The Kentucky Derby
5 NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance
6-7 2018 – 2019 Stakes Schedule
8-9 Leading Thoroughbred Trainers
10-11 Leading Thoroughbred Jockeys
12 Sunland Park Handicap
13 Leading Owner
14 Harry W. Henson Handicap
15 Copper Top Futurity
16 Riley Allison Derby
17 The Mine That Bird Derby
18-19 Sunland Derby (GR III)
20-21 Sunland Park Oaks
22 Leading Quarter Horse Trainers
23 Leading Quarter Horse Jockeys
24 The Championship at Sunland Park (GR I) | Shue Fly Stakes
25 West Texas Futurity (GR II)
26 General Information
2019-2020 RACING CALENDAR
DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
MARCH APRIL
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S DECEMBER 26 – FEBRUARY 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 FIRST POST 12:25PM MST
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 FEBRUARY 14 – APRIL 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 FIRST POST 1:00PM MST
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30
SUNLAND DERBY & OAKS
1
THE AREA THE PROPERTY
CLIMATE
It’s rare to have a day in summer or winter when the sun doesn’t Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino offers free general parking, or
shine. In fact, it shines over 300 days a year! Winters are usually you may take advantage of our free courteous valet parking at both
mild with an average daytime temperature of 60° F and an the Turf Club and Casino entrances. Our Turf Club is open through
average low of 32.5° F. Occasionally, temperatures will drop the year for Simulcast Wagering. However, during our racing season,
enough to see snow, but it never lasts long, just enough for kids all seating is reserved. Tables may be purchased for the season or
and some young-at-heart adults to get excited about the unusual reserved on a daily basis. To reserve your seat or inquire about
winter-wonderland scene covering the desert, mountains and Turf Club seating, call 575-874-5200.
valley. Then, it’s gone as quickly as it came. The summers are hot
and dry with a little less than 9 inches of rainfall each year. The HOTEL
average temperature during the day is 95° F if you just count Our new boutique hotel is
June, July and August. When you consider the five months of a unique reflection of the
May through September that actually make up the summer, the local community and offers
average daytime temperature drops to 91.5° F. It isn’t uncommon upscale accommodations.
for the thermometer to drop 20 degrees or more during the Get ready for an exciting
summer night. and memorable stay.
LOCATION CASINO
Situated on the border of two nations and three states, Our casino is open every day at 10AM with the hottest slots in the
Sunland Park lies in the Chihuahuan Desert, 3,762 feet above Southwest. We offer free membership to our Players Club. Earn
sea level. The Rio Grande River flows directly parallel to Bonus Play and entries to promotions while using your player’s card.
the track, separating Texas from Mexico, and it creates a Our promotions will fill your pockets with extra cash.
lush green valley ripe for farming and ranching. The area’s
varied topography presents a scenic landscape and provides ENTERTAINMENT
a pleasing contrast between arid desert, green valley and There’s always something happening here. From festivals to
rugged mountains. concerts, the fun never ends! Catch live music in Franklin’s Lounge
every Friday, Saturday and Sunday featuring all the best acts from
TIME ZONE the past and present.
El Paso and Sunland Park are in the Mount ain Time
Zone and observe Daylight Saving Time from mid-March DINING
through October. We offer four different dining options to satisfy your hunger.
Ventanas Bar & Grill serves everything from the best burgers
POPULATION in the region to brick oven-baked pizza, all at an affordable
El Paso is the sixth largest city in the state of Texas, with 649,121 price. Our snack bars include the Jackpot Grill and the Cantina
inhabitants per the 2000 census (including El Paso County Grill. Open every race day and for special events, Riley’s, a
residents, that number is raised to 728,943). With its proximity full-service restaurant, cooks up the best of everything from
to Juarez, Mexico, El Paso’s sister city, it’s difficult to talk about
steaks and seafood to soups and salads.
the population of one city without considering that of the other.
Just across the border and within walking distance of each
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
other’s downtown areas, Juarez is home to 1,700,000 people.
Looking for the best Conference Rooms and Meeting Space
Las Cruces is the fastest-growing city in New Mexico and the
11th fastest growing in the nation. Las Cruces, New Mexico, lies in in El Paso & Southern New Mexico? Sunland Park Racetrack &
the heart of the fertile Mesilla Valley and claims a population of Casino has the ultimate place to host your Business Meeting,
74,267. The population of Sunland Park, New Mexico, the home Conference, Wedding, Gala, Reception, Anniversary or Birthday
of Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, is approximately 8,179. This Party. We can accommodate any size function from 30 guests
makes for a combined total population of over 2 million, creating to 500 guests. For appointments to view our Director’s Room,
the largest metropolitan area on the border between the United Mt. Cristo Rey Room, Lakeview Room or Signature Showroom,
States and Mexico. contact Group Sales at 575-874-5200.
2
TRACK FACTS
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS • Track opened October 9, 1959 - will begin its
OF SUNLAND PARK 61st season of racing on December 26, 2019.
• Sunland Park employs an average of 400
people during the live racing season.
• Built in 1959 for an original cost of $4 million, Sunland Park
Racetrack opened to great fanfare and large crowds. Located
(combined Track and Casino Operations).
just 10 minutes west of Downtown El Paso, Texas, Sunland • Annual payroll in excess of $13 million dollars.
Park enjoyed positive early results. Within four years, the
track was firmly in the black. • 26% of casino slot win (before expenses) is paid
in taxes to the state of New Mexico.
• For decades, Sunland Park was a gateway to the East and
West for top race horses. Stakes stars like Winsham Lad, • 20% of casino slot win (before expenses) goes
Curribot, Prince Astro, Nevada Phil, Bold Liz, Easy Jet, Dash directly to the purse account for horse racing.
for Cash and First Moonflash ran at Sunland Park.
• Casino revenue has generated expenditures
• The 1980 Riley Allison Futurity winner Bold Ego finished and anticipated expenditures of over
a gallant second to Pleasant Colony in the 1981 Preakness $200,000 annually. This is used specifically
Stakes. Racing greats Willie Shoemaker, Jerry Bailey, Garrett for responsible gaming awareness, problem
Gomez, Pat Valenzuela, Mike Smith, D. Wayne Lukas and Bob gambler treatment and other assistance.
Baffert have all competed at Sunland Park.
• Purses have increased from $30,000 per day in
• In 1999, Sunland Park opened its casino and sparked a new era ’98-99 to over $200,000 this coming 2019-2020
of unparalleled success. Powered by over 700 slot machines, racing season.
Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino offers a daily purse
distribution of over $200,000, a far cry from the $35,000 • Handle has increased by 314% from ’98-99
average from the early 1990’s. season (first year of the casino) to 2018-2019
season.
• 2005 WinStar Derby winner Thor’s Echo won the 2006
Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Gr. I) and was named the Eclipse Award • During the 2018-2019 season, handle exceeded
winner as Champion Sprinter. one million dollars on six occasions and on
March 24, 2019 the handle exceeded 4.8 million
• The legendary mare Peppers Pride completed her unbeaten dollars becoming a new state of New Mexico
19-race career at Sunland Park in 2008. handle.
• In 2009, former Sunland Park runner Mine That Bird shocked • Over 800 off track sites around the world
the world by winning the Kentucky Derby at 50-1 odds. wager on our races including: New York,
Las Vegas, Canada, South America, Europe
• On Sunday, March 22, 2015, an all-time record crowd of 19,081 and the Caribbean.
fans roared as Firing Line won the $800,0000 Sunland Derby
(Gr. III). Firing Line went on to finish second to Triple Crown • Organizations who have received contributions
winner American Pharoah in the 2015 Kentucky Derby. generated from the facility are NMSU,
El Paso Child Crisis Center, La Casa,
• Last year’s Sunland Derby (Gr. III) day card generated a new New Mexico Alliance for Hispanic Education,
track and New Mexico State record all-sources handle of over UTEP, EP Community College, El Paso Diablos,
$4.8 million, breaking the previous record of nearly $4.3 million Valley Community Library, Westside YMCA -
wagered on the 2018 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) day program. specifically the new Westside facility for the
Nearly $2 million was bet on the 2019 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) children of Southern New Mexico, and the
alone. The 2020 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) worth $700,000 will United Blood Services.
be run on Sunday, March 22.
3
LEADERSHIP
manager of the mountain oval. Baugh went on to help R.D.
Hubbard build Zia Park and in 2006 and 2007 was in charge
of the racing operations at both tracks. When Zia Park was
purchased by Penn National for $200 million, Baugh remained
as a consultant and was named assistant general manager for
Zia Park in 2007. In the following years, Zia Park experienced
fantastic growth. Baugh continued in that capacity until accepting
the position of general manager at Sunland Park Racetrack and
Casino in 2013. The well diversified property has flourished
under his direction.
Baugh said, “I’ve been fortunate enough to work with B.F.
Phillips, R.D. Hubbard, the largest pari-mutuel gaming company
Rick Baugh in the world Penn National, and Stan Fulton.”
Under his leadership, Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
GENERAL MANAGER RICK BAUGH LEADS continues to thrive and develop. The $700,000 Sunland Park
SUNLAND PARK RACETRACK AND CASINO Derby (Gr. III) is the most important Thoroughbred race in the
TO NEW HEIGHTS Southwest and rates an increasingly significant Kentucky Derby
prep race. A New Mexico state record handle of over $4.8 million
Less than 7 years ago, Rick Baugh took command as general
was wagered on last year’s Sunland Derby (Gr. III) day card.
manager of Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. Baugh took
Mr. Baugh works at a frenetic pace to streamline and plot new
over the helm at Sunland Park armed with a wealth of racing
avenues of success. Proof positive is the Hotel at Sunland Park
and gaming experience. Early in his career, Baugh worked
which opened less than three years ago and continues to impress
at the fabled Phillips Ranch, the home of the great Dash for
guests. The beautiful Hotel overlooks the home stretch of the
Cash. During an 11-year stint at the ranch, he fulfilled numerous
track. Renovations of the Sunland Park Turf Club are certain to
duties including preparing young horses for the nation’s most
enhance the fan experience. Four aerial 16th. By 9 ft. HD Video
prestigious sales.
Projector screens are in place and make a powerful impression.
In 1991, Baugh left the Phillips Ranch to work for Ruidoso Downs.
Rick and his lovely wife Kim have made a new home in the upper
Five years later, the hard working Texan took over as general
valley just west of El Paso, Texas.
$700,000 SUNLAND DERBY (GR III) LEADS TO KENTUCKY DERBY
17th Running
Entry into the 2020 Kentucky The Sunland Derby (Gr. III) earns a coveted 50 points for entry
Derby and Oaks will be to the 2020 Kentucky Derby. The other 50 point Derby preps
based on a points qualifying include the Risen Star at Fair Grounds, the Fountain of Youth at
system. Candidates earn Gulfstream, the Gotham at Aqueduct, the Tampa Bay Derby at
points by placing in a serious Tampa Bay Downs, the San Felipe at Santa Anita and the Rebel
of important prep races. Here at Oaklawn. 2014 Sunland Park Derby (Gr. III) winner Chitu
is the schedule including the split the field in the Kentucky Derby (Gr. I). Third place Sunland
$700,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) and the $200,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) finisher Commissioner was a close second in
Park Oaks to be run on Sunday, March 22, 2020. the 2014 Belmont Stakes (Gr. I). 2015 Sunland Derby (Gr. III)
winner Firing Line ran second to Triple Crown winner American
The top four finishers of the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, Pharoah in the 2015 Kentucky Derby.
the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, the Wood Memorial at
Aqueduct, the Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita, the Arkansas The $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks rates a serious prep for the
Derby at Oaklawn Park, the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Kentucky Oaks with a 50-20-10-5 point scale. The Fair Grounds
and the UAE Derby in Dubai will earns points on a 100-40-20-10 Oaks, Gulfstream Park Oaks, Santa Anita Oaks, Ashland Stakes,
system. Comely Stakes and Fantasy Stakes will award a 100-40-20-10
point basis. 2011 Sunland Park Oaks winner Plum Pretty went on
The $700,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) will be part of seven races to win the 2011 Kentucky Oaks.
where the top four finishers earn points on a 50-20-10-5 scale.
4
NTRA SAFETY AND INTEGRITY ALLIANCE
The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance is a standing organization as Sunland hosted several meetings with Alliance officials.
whose purpose is to establish standards and practices to An on-site review included inspections of all facets of the racing
promote safety and integrity in horse racing and to secure their facility. Interviews were also conducted with track executives,
implementation. Corporate partners of the Alliance include racetrack personnel, jockeys, owners, trainers, stewards
Pfizer Animal Health and Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. and fans.
Information on the Alliance, including the Alliance Code of In areas intended to create a safer racing environment,
Standards, can be found at www.NTRAalliance.com. best practices in use at Sunland Park include an on-site
“Sunland Park has done an extraordinary job of working with the substance abuse and addiction treatment program; utilization
New Mexico Racing Commission to make the safety of horses of the Uniform National Trainers Test (adopted by the
and riders, and the integrity of the sport top priorities at its track New Mexico State Racing Commission); and notification
in New Mexico,” said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the of House Rules in the Condition Book. In areas of equine
NTRA and acting head of the Alliance. “We commend Sunland drug testing and penalties, best practices identified include
for making great strides since their initial accreditation with the out-of-competition testing for blood and/or gene doping agents;
implementation of a number of best practices track-wide.” frozen storage and retroactive “supertesting” of suspect plasma
Sunland Park received its initial Alliance accreditation in 2011 or urine samples; and use of an official testing laboratory that is
and is one of 23 racing facilities currently fully accredited by fully-accredited by the Racing Medication and Testing
the Alliance. All accreditations and reaccreditations carry Consortium (RMTC); and proper security assessment and
an effective period of two years. The accreditation was the training. Regarding the health and safety of jockeys, best
culmination of a lengthy process that began with the track’s practices recognized include adherence to the Association
completion of a 48-page written application and continued of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) model rules
pertaining to the scale of weights and jockey qualifications.
NTRA ACCREDITED
MEMBERS MAP
5
2019 • 2020 STAKES SCHEDULE
KLAQ HANDICAP (30th Running) JOHNIE L. JAMISON HANDICAP (18th Running)
Saturday, December 28 Five Furlongs Sunday, January 26 Six & One-Half Furlongs
$65,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds & older $100,000 Guaranteed 4-year-olds & older
Registered New Mexico Bred
NEW MEXICO STATE RACING COMMISSION HANDICAP (20th Running)
Saturday, December 28 Five & One-Half Furlongs LA CONEJA STAKES (18th Running)
$100,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds & older Saturday, February 8 Six Furlongs
Registered New Mexico Bred Fillies & Mares $100,000 Guaranteed 4-year-olds & older
Registered New Mexico Bred Fillies & Mares
THE CHAMPIONSHIP AT SUNLAND PARK G1 (19th Running)
Sunday, December 29 440 Yards WINSHAM LAD HANDICAP (44th Running)
$350,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds & older Sunday, February 9 One Mile
$65,000 Guaranteed 4-year-olds & older
JESS BURNER MEMORIAL HANDICAP RG I (23rd Running)
Saturday, January 4 400 Yards NMHBA QUARTER HORSE STAKES RG II (28th Running)
$100,000 Guaranteed 4-year-olds & older Saturday, February 15 400 Yards
Registered New Mexico Bred $100,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds
Registered New Mexico Bred
BOLD EGO HANDICAP (28th Running)
Saturday, January 4 Five & One-Half Furlongs THE ENCHANTRESS STAKES (11th Running)
$65,000 Guaranteed 4-year-olds & older Sunday, February 16 One Mile
Fillies & Mares $100,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds
Registered New Mexico Bred Fillies
4 RIVERS/JOHN DEERE STAKES (20th Running)
Sunday, January 5 Six Furlongs MESILLA VALLEY SPEED HANDICAP RG III (18th Running)
$100,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds Saturday, February 22 350 Yards
Registered New Mexico Bred $100,000 Guaranteed 4-year-olds & older
Registered New Mexico Bred
LOU WOOTEN – SYDNEY VALENTINI HCP RG II (20th Running)
Saturday, January 11 400 Yards ALBERT AND HENRY DOMINGUEZ MEMORIAL HANDICAP (16th Running)
$100,000 Guaranteed 4-year-olds & older Sunday, February 23 One Mile & One-Sixteenth
Registered New Mexico Bred Fillies & Mares $100,000 Guaranteed 4-year-olds & older
Registered New Mexico Bred
LA SEÑORA STAKES (20th Running)
Saturday, January 18 Six Furlongs RED HEDEMAN MILE (18th Running)
$100,000 Guaranteed 3-year-old Sunday, February 23 One Mile
Registered New Mexico Bred Fillies $100,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds
Registered New Mexico Bred
DONA ANA COUNTY (4th Running)
Saturday, January 25 440 Yards THE ISLAND FASHION STAKES (15th Running)
$100,000 Guaranteed 4-year-olds & older Sunday, February 23 One Mile
Registered New Mexico Bred $75,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds
Fillies
THE SHUE FLY RG III (48th Running)
Saturday, January 25 400 Yards MINE THAT BIRD DERBY (20th Running)
$115,000 Added 3-year-olds Sunday, February 23 One Mile & One-Sixteenth
Registered New Mexico Bred $100,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds
FT. BLISS STAKES (16th Running) RIO GRANDE HANDICAP GRIII (14th Running)
Saturday, January 25 Six Furlongs Sunday, March 1 350 Yards
$75,000 Guaranteed 4-year-olds & older $50,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds & older
RILEY ALLISON DERBY (57th Running) WEST TEXAS DERBY GR III (57th Running)
Sunday, January 26 One Mile Sunday, March 7 400 Yards
$100,000 Added 3-year-olds $65,000 Added
BORDERPLEX STAKES (23rd Running) CURRIBOT HANDICAP (20th Running)
Sunday, January 26 Six & One-Half Furlongs Sunday, March 15 One Mile & One-Sixteenth
$65,000 Guaranteed 3-year-old $75,000 Guaranteed 4-year-olds & older
Fillies 3-year-olds
6
2019 • 2020 STAKES SCHEDULE
HARRY W. HENSON HANDICAP (28th Running)
Sunday, March 22 One Mile WEST TEXAS FUTURITY GR II (62nd Running)
$100,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds & older Sunday, April 19 300 Yards
Fillies & Mares $100,000 Added 2-year-olds
BILL THOMAS MEMORIAL STAKES (31st Running) NEW MEXICAN SPRING FUTURITY RG II (26th Running)
Sunday, March 22 Six & One-Half Furlongs Sunday, April 19 300 Yards
$100,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds & older $160,000 Added 2-year-olds
Registered New Mexico Bred
NEW MEXICO BREEDERS’ OAKS (12th Running)
Sunday, March 22 One Mile & One-Sixteenth WEST TEXAS JUVENILE STAKES (18th Running)
$120,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds Sunday, April 19 300 Yards
Registered New Mexico Bred Fillies $50,000 Purse 2-year-olds
NEW MEXICO BREEDERS’ DERBY (17th Running) NEW MEXICAN SPRING FLING (17th Running)
Sunday, March 22 One Mile & One-Sixteenth Sunday, April 19 300 Yards
$120,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds $50,000 Added 2-year-olds
Registered New Mexico Bred
COPPER TOP FUTURITY (21st Running)
NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY STAKES (19th Running) Tuesday, April 21 Four & One-Half Furlongs
Sunday, March 22 One Mile & 70 Yards $130,000 Added 2-year-olds
$120,000 Guaranteed 4-year-olds & older Registered New Mexico Bred
Registered New Mexico Bred
SUNLAND PARK OAKS (19th Running) THOROUGHBRED TRACK RECORDS
Sunday, March 22 One Mile & One-Sixteenth
$200,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds DISTANCE HORSE TIME DATE
Fillies 2 Furlongs Bekky’s Star :21.20 2/12/68
SUNLAND DERBY GR III (17th Running) 4 Furlongs Tamran’s Jet :44.80 3/22/68
Sunday, March 22 One Mile & One-Eighth Western Hand :44.80 4/7/79
$700,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds
4 1/2 Furlongs Key’s Band :49.43 3/21/09
SUNBURST STAKES RG III (12th Running) 5 Furlongs Fearless Anthony :55.86 3/4/08
Saturday, April 4 350 Yards 5 1/2 Furlongs Fearless Anthony 1:01.62 2/12/08
$100,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds
Registered New Mexico Bred Fillies 6 Furlongs Redneck Humor 1:07.42 2/12/17
6 1/2 Furlongs Isn’t He Clever 1:13.45 3/24/13
THE PEPPERS PRIDE STAKES (15th Running) 1 Mile Escape Clause 1:34 3/24/19
Sunday, April 5 One Mile
$100,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds & older 1 Mile 70 yards Forest Mouse 1:39.01 1/6/13
Registered New Mexico Bred Fillies & Mares 1 1/16 Miles Midnight Lucky 1:41.06 3/24/13
1 1/8 Miles Cutting Rumor 1:46.94 3/24/19
MT. CRISTO REY HANDICAP (16th Running)
Sunday, April 12 Four & One-Half Furlongs 1 3/16 Miles Mickey J. 1:58.20 11/4/70
$100,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds & older 1 1/4 Miles Curribot 2:01.40 5/6/84
Registered New Mexico Bred
1 1/2 Miles Houston Blaze 2:33.20 5/3/64
WEST TEXAS MATURITY GR III (33rd Running)
QUARTER HORSE TRACK RECORDS
Saturday, April 18 400 yards
$65,000 Added 3-year-olds & older
NEON DESERT HANDICAP (11th Running)
Saturday, April 18 Six & One-Half Furlongs DISTANCE HORSE TIME DATE
$75,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds & older 300 Yards Valiant War Hero 14.594 4/17/11
Fillies & Mares 330 Yards Neversaynever 15.859 2/27/11
SUNLAND PARK HANDICAP (61st Running) 350 Yards Strike It Quick 16.642 12/30/10
Saturday, April 18 One Mile & One Eighth 400 Yards Double Down Special 18.613 4/3/10
$150,000 Guaranteed 3-year-olds & older
440 Yards First Moonflash 20.274 4/12/09
7
THOROUGHBRED TRAINERS
LEADING THOROUGHBRED TRAINERS
NAME STARTS 1ST 2ND 3RD WIN% $% Purses
Justin R. Evans 135 37 33 18 27 65 $594,465
Miguel L. Hernandez 165 31 22 25 19 47 $662,894
Henry Dominguez 167 30 33 24 18 52 $760,481
Susan F. Arnett 142 29 24 25 20 55 $379,939
Todd W. Fincher 141 28 28 26 20 58 $934,786
Dick Cappellucci 126 25 18 15 20 46 $318,507
Casey T. Lambert 136 18 21 20 13 43 $332,157
Jose R. Gonzalez, Jr. 103 15 15 13 15 42 $232,926
Greg Green 103 14 6 13 14 32 $194,947
Nancy Summers 79 13 14 13 16 51 $174,164
JUSTIN EVANS For the sixth time in the last seven years, Justin Evans took top honors as leading conditioner
during the 2019 Sunland Park meet. One of America’s leading trainers based upon win percentage, Justin Evans
won 37 times last season, hitting with a remarkable 27 percent of his starters and earning nearly $600,000 in purse
money. During this campaign, Evans also reached a career milestone, eclipsing 2,000 wins as a trainer. Among his
stakes winners last season were Raagheb, who captured the Winsham Lad Handicap. Evans streak of six straight
trainer titles was snapped in 2018 when he finished second behind the late Henry Dominguez. In recent years,
Evans has trained stars at Sunland Park like Bill and Sue Tomasic’s multiple stakes winner Mt Veeder, as well as
Concord Fast for Teed Off Stables LLC, and Citizen Geller for UKUSA stables. Evans once again took top honors
in the 2019 trainer standings at both the Downs at Albuquerque and SunRay Park and Casino meetings. He scored
with 38 percent of his starters at the Downs at Albuquerque, including stakes winner Gunners One for owner
Tommy Gunstream as well as Bokeelia Island, co-owned by Cindy Evans Perez and Justin’s wife Vanessa. Bokeelia
Island also picked up a win in the Veterans Stakes at Zia Park where Evans is also leading in the standings. In all,
Evans runners have won nearly 120 races in 2019. In his career, which started in 1999, Evans has won more than
2,100 races from over 8,700 starters with total earnings topping $26 million. Justin owns a home in Santa Teresa,
New Mexico and is joined on the racing circuit by Vanessa and their children Austin, Addison and Anderson.
TODD FINCHER The 2018-19 season for Todd Fincher again proved successful, finishing fifth in the overall
standings for wins, but topping all trainers from an earnings standpoint. Fincher’s 28 winners tallied up more than
$934,000 in earnings last season, capped by three-time stakes winner Runaway Ghost, who not only scored victories
in the Curribot and Fort Bliss Stakes, but topped his campaign for owner Joe Peacock with a win in the Sunland
Park Handicap. Fincher also teamed with owners Dale F. Taylor Racing LLC, Bobby J McQueen & Suzanne Kirby
with multiple stakes winner Hustle Up, winner of both the Mine That Bird Derby and Red Hedeman Mile. Fincher’s
success carried over to the Downs at Albuquerque, where he finished third in the trainer standings, highlighted by
Hustle Up taking the Casino at the Downs Derby and Let It Roll, winner of the Carlos Salazar Stakes for owners R.D.
and Shaun Hubbard. Fincher has enjoyed immense success at Zia Park this season as well, winning the New Mexico
Classic Cup Oaks with Flight Song, as well as with Peppers Pride Filly and Mare Championship winner Hennessy
Express as well as Hustle Up in the Rocky Gulch Classic Cup Championship. Arguably, one of the highlights of
Fincher’s career came last year when he saddled Runaway Ghost to victory in the $800,000 Grade 3 Sunland Derby
in 2018. Fincher has logged more than 1,060 wins in his career and his horses have earned a staggering $28 million
in purse monies. Some of Fincher’s past stakes stars include Smash Dancer, Enchanted Outlaw, Glory Be Mine,
Chuchuluco and Queen Greeley.
8THOROUGHBRED TRAINERS
MIGUEL HERNANDEZ 2019 was another strong season for Hernandez, who has continued to prove himself
converting from successful jockey into a top trainer. Hernandez finished second in the standings last season,
picking up 31 winners from 165 starters, hitting at a strong 19 percent rate with earnings topping $660,000. In
addition to multiple stakes winner McWend, winner of the Peppers Pride Handicap and New Mexico Breeders’
Oaks, Hernandez also sent out Neon Desert Handicap winner Performance Review for owners Tom and Sandy
McKenna of Judge Lanier Racing. Hernandez has blossomed into a leading trainer in recent years. In 2018,
Hernandez won 33 races from 168 starters at Sunland Park, placing him third in the trainer standings. His biggest
win during that season was with Oh So Regal, who he saddled to victory in the Sunland Park Handicap. In 2019,
Hernandez was among the top trainers at Albuquerque Downs as well as at Zia Park. Hernandez has won more
than 225 races with earnings approaching $5 million as a trainer since 2014 after a successful riding career that
began in 1986 and has taken him from Mexico to various locations around the southwest, including Turf Paradise
and southern California. Hernandez’ riding career came to an abrupt end in 2013 after he was injured in a spill at
Ruidoso Downs.
CASEY LAMBERT Another former rider who continues to find massive success as a trainer, Lambert is coming
off another strong season in which he recorded 18 winners from more than 130 starters and amassed earnings
topping $332,000. Lambert’s season was highlighted by the win from Sunscreen in the New Mexico Breeders’
Derby for owners R.D. and Shaun Hubbard. In addition to his success at Sunland, Lambert led the trainer standings
last summer at Ruidoso Downs, winning 26 times from 126 starters, with his horses earning more than $229,000.
In 2018, Lambert’s starters won 51 times and he was close to equaling that number at press time. The 54-year-old
Lambert retired from riding in 2015 after a career that spanned more than 30 years. In his time as a rider, Lambert
won nearly 3,400 races on both thoroughbreds and quarter horses. The most famous horse that Lambert ever
rode is Mine That Bird, winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby. Lambert rode Mine That Bird in the WinStar Derby
(now the Grade 3 $700,000 Sunland Park Derby) that year, just weeks before the horse pulled off a historic upset
in the Run for the Roses.
SUSAN ARNETT The Arnett family, long regarded as one of the top operations in the region, enjoyed another
strong season at Sunland in 2019. Susan – alongside husband Jon -- finished fourth in the overall trainer standings,
winning 28 times from 142 starters with earnings approaching $381,000. In addition, they also have teamed up
for a top ten run in the trainer standings at Zia Park. The Arnett family are continuing to show positive results
across the region. Susan has enjoyed plenty of production from the route loving multiple winner Downtowner
at the recent Zia Park meet. In 2018, Susan finished fourth in the Sunland Park trainer standings with 33 wins
and earnings topping $492,000 from 144 starters. Included in their barn’s winners last season was multiple stakes
winner Sky Defence, winner of both the Curribot Handicap and Winsham Lad Handicap. Susan has been an active
trainer since 2010 and is coming off her best career year, winning nearly 50 races with purse monies approaching
$800,000. Between husband and wife, they’ve won more than 2,000 races with earnings topping $20 million.
Under Jon’s direction, Happy Humor won the 2009 KLAQ Handicap and was a leading sprinter. Arnett turned
American Classic into a sprinting champ during the 2009-10 campaign. He also trained the fast Winter Camp to
victory in the 2011 Bill Thomas Memorial Stakes. Jon began training at Sunland Park in 1979 when he was 18 and
won the combined training title during the 1993-94 season and is a former Albuquerque training champ.
DICK CAPPELLUCCI A mainstay on the New Mexico circuit for nearly 30 years, Dick Cappellucci enjoyed
a strong season last season at Sunland Park, finishing sixth in the trainer standings with 25 winners from more
than 125 starters. His runners amassed earnings topping $318,000. Cappellucci parlayed that success into a strong
campaign at the Downs at Albuquerque, where he finished second in the standings with 20 winners and earnings
of over $232,000. During the recent Zia Park season, Cappellucci scored one of the biggest wins of the year
when Perty Dirty Dude won the Classic Cup Sprint Championship for owners Jeff Stinson and Miguel Mungia.
In 2018, Cappellucci had another strong year, winning more than 60 times. In his training career, which began in
the early 90’s, Cappellucci has scored more than 500 career wins with earnings topping $7.2 million. Among the
top horses in Cappellucci’s barn have been multiple stakes winner Ciento, a 20-time winner and earner of more
than $816,000 including 8 stakes victories from 2002 through 2004 as well as Silver Expression, a multiple stakes
winner and earner of more than $337,000 from 2006 through 2008. Also known as “Flaco”, Cappellucci is a third
generation horseman who also is a lead director for the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association.
9THOROUGHBRED JOCKEYS
LEADING THOROUGHBRED JOCKEYS
NAME STARTS 1ST 2ND 3RD WIN% $% Purses
Luis Contreras 240 71 44 39 30 64 $1,212,137
Ry Eikleberry 276 44 54 44 16 51 $1,092,204
Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr. 204 43 31 27 21 50 $707,871
Elvin Gonzalez 226 38 37 39 17 50 $771,952
Roimes Chirinos 148 31 19 28 21 53 $611,830
Santiago Gonzalez 183 28 27 29 15 46 $633,886
Irwin J. Rosendo 182 21 20 24 12 36 $357,799
Isaias D. Enriquez 157 19 21 8 12 31 $332,843
Alejandro Medellin 187 19 16 26 10 33 $351,295
Enrique Garcia 135 16 13 12 12 30 $220,636
ALFREDO JUAREZ JR. Alfredo Juarez, Jr., had another strong campaign at Sunland Park in 2019, winning 43
times from 204 starts, earning a win ratio of more than 20 percent with earnings topping $707,000. Among his
leading winners this past season was Fast Gator, who he rode to victory in the $85,000 La Coneja Stakes in 2019
for the late Henry Dominguez. Juarez scored a lucrative win in the $100,000 Bill Thomas Memorial Stakes in 2018
aboard Mt. Veeder. Alfredo achieved a new career milestone last summer, winning his 3,00th career race when he
guided Vangilder to victory in the Charles Taylor Derby finished a strong second in the standings at the Downs at
Albuquerque. Juarez finished the season second in the standings, highlighted by wins aboard Lookin at Lee in the
Downs at Albuquerque Handicap and aboard Flight Song in the Petticoat Handicap. Juarez finished second in the
standings at SunRay Park and Casino and was among the leading riders this past season at Zia Park. Juarez captured
the 2017-18 Sunland Park jockey title winning a phenomenal 72 times. His mounts during that season won at a 22
percent clip with earnings topping $1.5 million. In 2017, Juarez won the Grade 3 $800,000 Sunland Derby aboard
Steve Asmussen-trained Hence for owner Calumet Farms. That victory was among the 54 Juarez at Sunland in 2017,
good for second in the win category to go along with topping the earnings category with more than $1.5 million in
purse money. In a career that dates back to 1996, Juarez has won more than 3040 races and is his career mounts
have earned in excess of $54.7 million. He has enjoyed successful ventures at Arlington Park, Lone Star Park and Turf
Paradise. In Chicago, he rode eventual 2003 Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem to two victories. Alfredo was the
leading rider at The Downs at Albuquerque and Zia Park in 2015 and is joined at Sunland Park by his wife Lisa and
daughter Ashley.
ROIMES CHIRINOS Roimes Chirinos continues to make a big impression on the local jockey colony, finishing
sixth overall last season, riding with 31 winners from 148 starters, a win rate of 21 percent with earnings topping
$612,000. Among his top stakes earners last season was Woman At The Well for trainer Weston Martin in the Bold
Ego Handicap. Chirinos followed up a strong season at Sunland with a big campaign at the Downs at Albuquerque,
where he rode Hustle Up to victory in the Casino at the Downs Derby for trainer Todd Fincher. Chirinos also had a
solid season at Ruidoso Downs last summer, finishing fifth in the overall standings with 16 winners. Chirinos is having
massive success at Zia Park this season, winning with Waltzing Attila in the Distaff Sprint Championship for trainer
Nancy Summers, as well as teaming up again with Fincher aboard Hennessy Express in the New Mexico Classic
Cup Fillies and Mares Championship. Chirinos scored perhaps his biggest win of the season teaming with Fincher
again aboard Hustle Up in the Rocky Gulch Classic Cup Championship. In 2017-18, Chirinos finished fourth in the
standings last season, good for 39 wins and earnings worth more than $939,000. Chirinos had a breakout season
here in 2017, finishing in the top ten of the standings with 25 wins from 106 mounts and earnings topping $474,000.
In 2016, Chirinos was impressive in his first season at Sunland, with 22 wins from 106 mounts. A lifetime winner of
more than 700 races with purse earnings amassing $12.7 million, the 36-year-old Venezuelan native has been riding
for nearly 17 years and is a three-time winner of the Venezuelan Triple Crown. In 2006, Chirinos won six races in one
day riding at Retama Park in Texas.
10THOROUGHBRED JOCKEYS
LUIS CONTRERAS Jockey Luis Contreras arrived on the Sunland scene for the 2018-2019 season from
Woodbine and quickly dominated the division, winning 71 races from 240 mounts, easily distancing himself from
the competition. Contreras’ mounts earned more than $1.2 million this past season and his 30 percent win ratio was
tops among leading riders at Sunland in the last four years. Among his stakes winners last season, Contreras rode
Shining Source to victory in the $85,000 New Mexico State University Handicap for trainer Blake Rust, Hustle Up
for trainer Todd Fincher in the $85,000 Red Hedeman Mile and Nitrous for trainer Steve Asmussen in the $106,000
Riley Allison Derby. One of North America’s leading jockeys, Contreras is a regular at Woodbine in Toronto, Canada,
where he has won two Sovereign Awards for outstanding jockey in 2011 and 2012. In addition to his prowess at
Sunland and north of the border, Conteras has been stakes placed aboard Social Inclusion in the 2014 Preakness
Stakes as well as in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint aboard Ami’s Mesa as well as the 2018 Breeders’
Cup Dirt Mile in which he rode Bravazo. In a career that dates back to 2006, Contreras has logged more than 2,100
winners with career earnings topping $91.6 million.
ELVIN GONZALEZ The 32-year-old Gonzalez had another solid campaign this past season at Sunland Park,
finishing fourth in the standings with 38 winners from 226 starts, a win rate of 17 percent and earnings approaching
$772,000. Gonzalez made big impressions this past season, winning the $149,353 Copper Top Futurity aboard
Shame On Read for trainer Dallas Barton, as well a pair of stakes wins aboard McWend, in the $85,000 Peppers
Pride Handicap and earlier in the season in the $100,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Oaks for trainer Miguel
Hernandez. In 2017-18, Gonzalez finished third in the thoroughbred jockey standings with 52 winners from nearly
300 mounts, with earnings topping just over $1 million. Prior to 2017, Gonzalez had top ten rankings in the jockey
standings at Zia Park in 2015 and 2016, as well as finishing second in the standings during the 2016 racing season at
Albuquerque. Gonzalez won his first horse race in 2012 and had his best career year in 2014 when he won nearly
170 races, which included winning the jockey title at SunRay Park. Overall, Gonzalez has scored more than 620
times, with his mounts earnings approaching $9.9 million.
FRANCISCO ARRIETA A relative newcomer to the New Mexico scene, Francisco Arrieta has quickly made a
name for himself, dominating the standings at the Zia Park season, where he is currently the meet’s leading rider as
well as multiple stakes winner. Arrieta guided Count Them Again to victory for trainer Jaime Fuentes in the New
Mexico Lassie Championship, as well as Perty Dirty Dude for trainer Dick Cappellucci in the New Mexico Sprint
Championship. Before his arrival to New Mexico, the 30-year-old Venezuelan-born rider dominated last season
at Turf Paradise, winning nearly twice as many races as his nearest rival in the standings. Following that success,
Arrieta took control of the standings this past summer at Canterbury Park, where again he finished as the meet’s
leading rider, winning 79 times from 355 starts with earnings topping $1.7 million. Among his biggest wins that season
were aboard Ari Gia in the Minnesota Distaff Sprint Championship Stakes as well as Hot Shot Kid, who won four
consecutive stakes races this past season. Arrieta has won more than 410 races in just the last two calendar years,
with earnings topping $5.6 million. Before coming to America in 2012, Arrieta had a successful racing career in South
America. He and his wife Elizabeth have three daughters, Frangelis, Anaeily and Abigail.
RY EIKLEBERRY Eikleberry had another successful season locally last year, finishing just ahead of Alfredo
Juarez, Jr. for second in the standings with 44 winners. His mounts scored at a nearly 16 percent ration and earned
nearly $1.1 million. In addition to stakes winners like Hollywood Henry in the Mt Cristo Rey Handicap, Eikleberry
also won aboard Sunscreen in the $100,000 New Mexico Breeders Derby as well Victim of Love in the $75,000
Island Fashion Stakes and Hardcore Troubador in the $65,000 KLAQ Handicap. This past summer, Eikleberry
returned to his stomping grounds at Canterbury Park in Minnesota, where he finished third in the standings, his
mounts earning nearly $1.3 million during the season. Eikleberry has won multiple riding titles around the country,
including Canterbury Park and Turf Paradise. Eikleberry currently is in the top ten in the jockey colony at Zia Park.
Eikleberry had a great season at Sunland in 2017-18, winning more than 60 races, his mounts earning more than $1.1
million. Shifting his tack from Arizona to Sunland Park over five years ago has proven to be a lucrative move for
Eikleberry. Hailing from a racing family, the journeyman finished fifth in his first full season at Sunland Park in 2012
and completed the meet with four prestigious stakes wins. Currently, Eikleberry has won nearly 2,100 races with
purse earnings topping $35.3 million. Eikleberry’s wife Jilique is a constant source of support on the circuit, and
they have a young child named Revy.
11SUNLAND PARK HANDICAP
61st running to be held Saturday, April 18, 2020
$150,000 Guaranteed • One Mile & One-Eighth • 3-Year-Olds & Older (TB)
RUNAWAY GHOST 2019 WINNER
again displayed his brilliance, easily putting away American Dubai
midway around the far turn, and then drew clear to a 5-length
victory. Trained by Todd Fincher, Runaway Ghost picked up his
fifth win from six starts at Sunland Park, with scores this season in
the Curribot Handicap and Fort Bliss Stakes, as well as last year’s
Riley Allison Derby. The son of Ghostzapper has won seven times
in his 11-race career. The $90,000 lion’s share of the purse in the
Sunland Park Handicap increased his career earnings to more than
$744,000. Runaway Ghost ran the 1 1/8 mile distance in a final time
of 1 minute, 48.10 seconds.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Mine That Bird’s incredible
50-1 longshot win in the 2009 Kentucky Derby, Mine That Bird
Joe Peacock’s Runaway Ghost added another stakes victory to and trainer Chip Woolley led the field onto the racetrack for the
his already impressive career resume, taking the 60th running Sunland Park Handicap. Woolley ponied the now 13-year-old gelding
of the $150,000 Sunland Park Handicap with a dominant through the post parade. Mine That Bird now resides at Mark Allen’s
performance under jockey Santiago Gonzalez. The winner Double Eagle Ranch, just outside of Roswell, N.M. Dr. Leonard Blach
of last year’s Grade 3 $800,000 Sunland Park Derby once is his co-owner.
YEAR WINNER OWNER TRAINER JOCKEY DIST. TIME VALUE
2019 Runaway Ghost Joe Peacock Todd Fincher Santiago Gonzalez 1 1/8 m 1:48.10 $150,000
2018 Oh So Regal Judge Lanier Racing Miguel Hernandez Alfredo Juarez, Jr. 1 1/8m 1:47.21 $150,000
2017 American Dubai Richard Keith Rodney Richards Ken Tohill 1 1/8m 1:47.44 $150,000
2016 Mobile Bay Tigertail Ranch Victor Arceneaux Edgar S. Prado 1 1/8m 1:48.35 $150,000
2015 Proceed Michael Stinson Joel Marr Alfredo Juarez Jr. 1 1/8m 1:47.37 $75,000
2014 Isn’t He Clever Kirk & Judy Robinson Henry Dominguez Enrique Gomez 1 1/8m 1:47.95 $75,000
2013 Forest Mouse Parnell Thomas Henry Dominguez Ry Eikleberry 1 1.8 m 1:49.09 $75,000
2012 Fog Alert Art & Robin Olivier & David Wolochuk David Wolochuk Ken Tohill 1 1/8m 1:49.78 $100,000
2011 Black Hills Class Racing Stable Bart Hone Miguel Hernandez 1 1/8m 1:48.59 $100,000
2010 Red Lead Frontier Stables, LLC Chris Hartman Martin Bourdieu 1 1/8m 1:48.85 $114,400
2009 Song of Navarone George Coleman Henry Dominguez Antonio Castanon 1 1/8m 1:48.78 $100,000
2008 One Lucky Buck Adam & Paul Lewis Chris A. Hartman Ken Tohill 1 1/8m 1:48.94 $100,000
2007 Don’t Strike Out Richard R. Kasuda Raymond Carlisle Jr. Mark Villa 1 1/8m 1:50.50 $100,000
2006 Mr. Trieste Richard W. Lueck Gary W. Cross Ken Tohill 1 1/8m 1:48.58 $100,000
2005 Fin Entertainment Rafael T. Garcia Gerald E. Marr Joe Martinez 1 1/8m 1:50.44 $105,900
2004 A To The Z Susan Ray Gerald E. Marr Quyet Bui 1 1/8m 1:53.41 $105,450
2003 Night Patrol Everest Stables Nick Canani Ignacio Puglisi 1 1/8m 1:48.60 $105,300
2002 Accomodator Ramon Gonzalez Ramon Gonzalez Daryl Montoya 1 1/16m 1:42.52 $78,200
2001 Brew Crew of Brew Johnie L. Jamison Miguel Fuentes 1 1/16m 1:42.0 $72,900
2000 Brew Brew Crew Johnie L. Jamison Miguel Fuentes 1 1/16m 1:44.3 $52,050
1999 Preferred Million Jaime Herrera Ramon Gonzalez Chris Montano 1 1/8m 1:51. 3 $11,275
12YEAR WINNER OWNER TRAINER JOCKEY DIST. TIME VALUE
1998 Always My Place Jerry & Gerald Case Rogers Timothy Guidry Chris Zamora 1 1/8m 1:49.0 $12,025
1997 Tiffy Go Home Nelda Segotta J. Doyal Roberts Nancy Summers 1 1/8m 1:51.0 $12,250
1996 Two Wise Gerald Rubin & Robert W. Brown Ted Levy Miguel Fuentes 1 1/8m 1:50.4 $11,575
1995 Tri Max Heraldo Tienario & Jimmy Wager Ramon Gonzalez Rick Houghton 1 1/8m 1:49.3 $12,325
1994 Lt. Roberts Jerry Givens J. Doyal Roberts Billy Peterson 1 1/8m 1:50.1 $11,350
1993 Dart James Furgason Clifford Lambert Oscar Ceballos 1 1/8m 1:52.3 $11,575
1992 Fouled Up Therese Flores Therese Flores Isaac Flores 1 1/8m 1:50.1 $12,250
1991 Half Halo Jerry Givens J. Doyal Roberts Jimmy Coates 1 1/8m 1:51.0 $11,800
1990 Grey Bed J. M. & Pat McMillan J. Mickey McMillan Louie Gomez 1 1/8m 1:52.3 $17,700
1989 Ruffetta Joanne Woodward J. Doyal Roberts Richard Bickel 1 1/8m 1:51.3 $17,700
1988 Curribot Juliana Winters J. Doyal Roberts Glen Murphy 1 1/8m 1:52.0 $19,700
1987 Curribot Juliana Winters J. Doyal Roberts Glen Murphy 1 1/8m 1:51.3 $17,600
1986 Curribot Juliana Winters J. Doyal Roberts Casey Lambert 1 1/8m 1:52.0 $19,700
1985 Curribot Juliana Winters J. Doyal Roberts Casey Lambert 1 1/4m 2:06.2 $22,450
1984 Curribot Juliana Winters J. Doyal Roberts Casey Lambert 1 1/4m 2:01.2* $22,100
* Denotes Track Record
SUNLAND PARK’S LEADING OWNER
JUDGE LANIER RACING
with 14 winners, more than twice than their leading challenger. The
McKenna family are longtime breeders in the state of New Mexico
and have achieved tremendous success as owners, particularly over
the past few seasons. Since the year 2000, Judge Lanier Racing
has won more than 430 races with purse earnings topping $8.6
million and ranks as one of the most prolific owners in Sunland Park
Racetrack and Casino history.
The McKennas own the 1,200 acre McKenna Thoroughbreds ranch
near Taiban in the eastern section of New Mexico. Tom McKenna
grew up in El Paso, Texas and was exposed to racing at the age of 12.
His grandfather was a prominent corporate judge in El Paso and had
owned both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. The McKennas
The team of Tom and Sandy McKenna, also known as Judge
honor the memory of the judge with the moniker Judge Lanier
Lanier Racing, once again dominated the owner standings last
Racing. Dominique’s Cat, K.O. Punch and McKenna’s Justice stand
season, winning 43 times this season, well ahead of the rest
at stud at McKenna Thoroughbreds.
of the competition, marking their seventh consecutive season
atop the division. Their starters won at an 18 percent clip last Judge Lanier Racing’s star runner Conquest Mo Money won both
season with earning approaching $794,000. Among their leading the 2017 Riley Allison and Mine That Bird Derbies. The son of Uncle
stakes types this season were McWend, winner of both the New Mo ran gallant seconds in both the $800,000 Sunland Derby (Gr.
Mexico Breeders’ Oaks and Peppers Pride Handicap, as well as III) and Grade I Arkansas Derby. Conquest Mo Money is currently
Performance Review, winner of the Neon Desert Handicap. The standing stud in New Mexico and receiving rave reviews.
McKennas also led the standings at the Downs at Albuquerque
13HARRY W. HENSON HANDICAP
28th running to be held Sunday, March 22, 2020
$100,000 Guaranteed • One Mile • Fillies & Mares • 3-Year-Olds & Older (TB)
ESCAPE CLAUSE 2019 WINNER
Escape Clause, a Manitoba-bred mare owned by trainer Don
Schnell, scored a decisive and emphatic win in the $100,000 Harry
Henson Stakes for fillies and mares, racing a mile in 1 minute, 34
seconds, shattering the course record under jockey Tyler Baze.
Escape Clause, sent off as 3-to-5 favorite, made short work of her
rivals in the Henson, racing behind pacesetter Baydar for the first
six furlongs before taking the lead in early stretch. Escape Clause
opened up effortlessly in the lane, winning by 7 1/4 lengths and
breaking American Dubai’s record at the mile trip. Prior to her win in
the Harry Henson, the daughter of Going Commando was a graded
stakes winner in the Grade 3 Palos Verdes Handicap at Santa Anita
Park. In her next start following the Henson, she ran second in the
Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs,
Ark. behind multiple stakes winner Midnight Bisou. The star runner
is owned by True North, Dan Arnason and Don Schnell.
YEAR WINNER OWNER TRAINER JOCKEY DIST. TIME VALUE
2019 Escape Clause Schnell, Arnason and True North Don Schnell Tyler Baze 1 mile 1:34 $100,000
2018 Faypien Baoma Corporation Bob Baffert Martin Garcia 1 mile 1:35.28 $100,000
2017 K P Wildcat Karl Pergola Weston Martin Roimes Chirinos 1 mile 1:36.50 $100,000
2016 Caviar Kitty Dream Walkin Farms, Inc. Paul Smith Francisco Duran 1 mile 1:38.19 $100,000
2015 African Rose Judge Lanier Racing Justin R. Evans Alfredo Juarez Jr. 1 mile 1:36.22 $100,000
2014 African Rose Judge Lanier Racing Justin R. Evans Alfredo Juarez Jr. 1 mile 1:36.77 $75,000
2013 African Rose Judge Lanier Racing Justin R. Evans Miguel Hernandez 1 mile 1:36.97 $75,000
2012 Twelve Twenty Two Kirk & Judy Robison & Henry Dominguez Luis Contreras 1 mile 1:35.72 $100,000
Solitaire Stable
2011 Twelve Twenty Two Robison & Dominguez Henry Dominguez Julien Leparoux 1 mile 1:36.49 $100,000
2010 Freedom Star George Krikorian Bob Baffert Martin Garcia 1 mile 1:35.95 $103,500
2009 Prairie Farm Richard Lueck Gary Cross Ken Tohill 1 mile 1:36.80 $152,450
2008 Tough Tiz’s Sis Watson or Weitman Perf., LLC Bob Baffert Aaron T. Gryder 1 mile 1:37.14 $112,950
2007 Eyes On Eddy Stonestreet Stables, LLC Steven M. Asmussen Garrett Gomez 1 mile 1:37.37 $147,750
2006 Show Me Your Glory Tommy Town Thoroughbreds Henry Dominguez Victor Espinoza 1 mile 1:35.47 $119,500
2005 Blue Song Armando Jurado Jose A. Gonzalez Ken Tohill 1 mile 1:35.61 $104,350
2004 Academic Angel Cash Asmussen Steven M. Asmussen Ken Tohill 1 mile 1:36.83 $105,400
2003 Cielo Girl Rosendo G. Parra Steven M. Asmussen Lonnie Meche 1 mile 1:36.15 $104,350
2002 McKinney Nelson Bunker Hunt Steven M. Asmussen Donnie Meche 1 mile 1:35.88 $62,700
2001 Hava Peer John H. Williams Ralph W. Black Carlos Rivas 1 mile 1:37.40 $53,100
2000 Valid Leader Jan & Connie Chumas Doug Oliver Chad Anderson 1 mile 1:37.80 $43,300
14COPPER TOP FUTURITY
21st running to be held Tuesday, April 21, 2020
$130,000 Guaranteed • Four & One-Half Furlongs • 2-Year-Olds (TB)
SHAME ON READ 2019 WINNER
With a quick burst of acceleration out of the gate, Shame On Read
and jockey Elvin Gonzalez had the rest of the field at his mercy,
running away with a gate-to-wire score in the $149,353 Copper Top
Futurity. Sent off as the 2-to-1 post time favorite, Shame On Read
broke out of the gate and assumed command quickly, leading his
nearest rivals through an opening quarter mile of 22.83 seconds.
Gonzalez kept busy at the head of the lane aboard the New
Mexico-bred son of Shame On Charlie before distancing himself from
the field, crossing the wire 3 lengths in front, completing the 4 1/2
furlongs in a final time of 52.20 seconds. Trained by Dallas Barton and
owned by Glenn and Linda Berry, Shame On Read ran third in his
career debut here on April 14 when trials for the Copper Top were
held. The win places his lifetime earnings at $75,000.
YEAR WINNER OWNER TRAINER JOCKEY DIST. TIME VALUE
2019 Shame On Read Glenn and Linda Berry Dallas Barton Elvin Gonzalez 4 1/2 f ; 52.20 $149,353
2018 Hustle Up Dale Taylor, Bobby McQueen Todd Fincher Tracy Hebert 4 1/2 f : 51.55 $162, 905
and Suzanne Kirby
2017 On The Low Down Dale Taylor, Bobby McQueen Todd Fincher Tracy Hebert 4 1/2 f : 51.17 $147,196
and Suzanne Kirby
2016 Ignored Steve and Bessie Prather Todd Fincher Ruby Gonzalez 4 1/2 f :51.12 $125,584
2015 Naevussquall W.T. Stradley & Tom Williams Fred Danley Ry Eikleberry 4 1/2 f :51.58 $74,447
2015 Rapping Mary (f) Benny Vanecek and Solitaire Stable Henry Dominguez Enrique Gomez 4 1/2 f :51.72 $68,001
2014 Raider Red Brad King & Dale Taylor Todd Fincher Alfredo Juarez, Jr. 4 1/2 f :52.75 $77,052
2014 Miss B R H (f) Tom Williams & W.T. Stradley Fred Danley Alfredo Juarez, Jr. 4 1/2 f :51.56 $77,953
2013 Dandy Don Who Sam E. & Sammy L. Stevens Todd Fincher Aldo Arboleda 4 1/2 f :52.21 $92,125
2013 Lady Genius (f) W.D. Carson Sr., M.H. Carson Dallas Barton Carlos Madeira 4 1/2 f :51.70 $88,389
& Leach Racing LLC
2012 Kiss My Hennessy Joe Dee Brooks & Scott Bryant Todd Fincher Miguel Hernandez 4 1/2 f :52.75 $120,989
2012 Hennessy Road (f) W. Davis & Lisa Moore Todd Fincher Casey Lambert 4 1/2 f :52.35 $100,958
2011 I Play Dirty Joe Dee Brooks Todd Fincher Isaias Enriquez 4 1/2 f :51.93 $113,987
2011 Roll Bloomers Roll (f) Rita J. Danley Fred Danley Vicente Grajeda 4 1/2 f :52.09 $125,166
2010 Verny Willard Burbach Greg Green Alfredo Juarez, Jr. 4 1/2 f :52.01 $125,162
2010 Squall Wilbud (f) W. T. Stradley & Tom Williams Fred Danley Jorge Luis Gonzalez 4 1/2 f :51.60 $113,436
2009 Explosive Mine Rolling K Farm, Robert Keith J. Michael Welch Alejandro Medellin 4 1/2 f :51.55 $205,107
& Phillip Godwin
2008 Bewild Hennessy Charles W. Hunter Todd Fincher Alfredo Juarez, Jr. 4 1/2 f :50.80 $217,552
2007 Thats Our Fred George E. Coleman Henry Dominguez Ken Tohill 4 1/2 f :51.80 $200.869
2006 Fantasmo E. Gene Bradley & Sam Britt Barbara J. Brown J. Martin Bourdieu 4 1/2 f :51.02 $195,317
2005 Monolito Guadalupe S. Hernandez Jose A. Gonzalez Ken Tohill 4 1/2 f :51.18 $216,064
2004 Oso Tricky Danny Stafford & Steve Usherwood H. Ray Ashford, Jr. Robert Johnson 4 1/2 f :54.16 $186,385
2003 Hecamefromaclaim Joe Dee & Lisa Brooks Todd Fincher Ricardo Jaime 4 1/2 f .51.45 $172,375
2002 Stormy Lane Molly M. Morris Roy Marcom, Jr. Jerry Yoakum 4 1/2 f :51.56 $152,241
2001 Devon’s Prospect SMS Racing LLC Tony Sedillo Carlos Rivas 4 1/2 f :52.4 $133,661
2000 Pocketfullapozzies Pierre J. & Leslie Amestoy Fred Danley J. J. Gonzalez 4 1/2 f :53.2 $124,882
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