HS Paul Walker wins New Mexico-bred stakes race at Sunland Park

Hubaldo Solis' talented HS Paul Walker rallied in the final yards to get his eighth lifetime win, earning a victory in Saturday's 25th running of the $100,000 Red or Green Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.

Ridden by Hector Aldrete for trainer Alfredo Gomez, HS Paul Walker broke alertly from the gate and was prominent throughout the 400-yard event. Longshot Fly On Down appeared to have a decisive edge midway down the stretch under jockey Juan Carlos Rivas. Aldrete got busy aboard the 7-year-old New Mexico-bred son of Osbaldo, running down his rival in the final yards before posting a neck win, crossing the wire in a final time of 19.51 seconds and earning an Equibase Speed Index of 101.

HS Paul Walker, sent off at odds of nearly 3-1, returned $7.80 to win. The $2 exacta with the winner and Fly On Down resulted in a $58 return. The victory increases HS Paul Walker's lifetime earnings to nearly $270,000.

Don Chuy C and jockey Adrian Ramos finished third, ahead of Jess Ring The Bell, who rounded out the top four finishers. Post time favorite Bigg Dee was never a factor in the Red or Green Handicap, finishing fifth under jockey Mario Delgado.

"He's a great horse, he was ready to go," Aldrete said. "It was really comfortable to ride him, he made it easy. He's a real professional horse and he was finished strong."

Jackie's Warrior up for award

Thoroughbred Jackie's Warrior, who is owned by El Paso's Kirk and Judy Robison, is one of three finalists for a 2022 Eclipse Award.

The Eclipse awards are given to top thoroughbred horses, jockeys, trainers, breeders and owners in various divisions. Jackie's Warrior was nominated in the Male Sprinter Division along with Cody's Wish and Elite Power. Jackie's Warrior won last year's award. The winner will be announced on Jan. 26.

Ari Oakley, Thruthestorm win Sunday stakes races

Overcoming a tardy break and a wide trip entering the top of the stretch, El Paso jockey Luis Fuentes found another gear under Thruthestorm, who rallied for a win in Sunday's $100,000 Corralito Steak House Stakes.

Owned by Pierre and Leslie Amestoy and trained by Todd Fincher, Thruthestorm broke slow leaving the starting gate and was more than five lengths behind early pacesetters New Mexico Jeremy and George Who through an opening half-mile in 45.51 seconds. Forced widest of all into the lane, Fuentes got busy aboard the 3-year-old son of Attila's Storm and ran down the leaders to score an impressive win, crossing the wire a half-length in front of longshot New Mexico Jeremy, stopping the timer in 1:11.65 seconds for the six furlongs.

Thruthestorm, coming off a pair of back-to-back second place finishes against allowance company at Zia Park, earned his first career stakes win and second lifetime win. He broke his maiden at Albuquerque Downs last summer. The victory pads Thruthestorm's career bankroll to nearly $97,000. Sent off as the third wagering choice at odds of 5.10-to-1, Thruthestorm returned $12.20 to his winning backers. The $2 exacta with New Mexico Jeremy returned $96.60.

Post time favorite Antonios Mark wound up finishing an unlucky third under Oscar Ceballos. The Dallas Barton trainee raced in tight quarters down the backstretch and was forced to take up before rallying a bit late for third.

"It was a slow start, he hopped in the air a little bit, but he got going on the outside and he liked that spot," Fuentes said. "I had a lot of confidence in the horse, he has been training well."

Earning her first career stakes win, Stonestreet Stables' Ario Oakley held off a furious late rally from Flyin Falynn to win the $65,000 Bold Ego Handicap under jockey Alfredo Juarez, Jr., who won four ra. ces on the day

Ari Oakley stalked early pacesetter Ize A Crafty Gal thru an opening quarter mile timed in 22.35 seconds, then easily moved up outside that leader as the field turned for home. Ari Oakley assumed a 2-length advantage at the head of the lane before nearly being caught by Flyin Falynn with Fuentes aboard.

Ari Oakley held off the late charge to score a neck victory, racing 5 1/2 furlongs in a final time of 1:04.27 seconds. A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of 2017 Eclipse Award winning Horse of the Year and six-time Grade 1 stakes winning Gun Runner, Ari Oakley picked up her first career stakes win. Trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen, Ari Oakley ran fifth in the Poinsettia Handicap last month at Oaklawn Park in her most recent start.

Sunday's win in the Bold Ego Handicap is her fourth win from 10 career starts, increasing her lifetime earnings to nearly $278,000.

Sent off as the 2-to-5 favorite, Ari Oakley returned $2.80 to win, while the $2 exacta with Flyin Falynn resulted in a $5.80 score.

Outside The Law finished third.

"Ari Oakley is a really nice horse," Juarez Jr. said. "She made a big run on the turn and the second-place horse made a great run. It was a great race, but Ari Oakley showed lots of toughness to hold on to win."

Live racing resumes on Tuesday with a nine-race all-thoroughbred program. First post time is scheduled for 12:25 p.m. local time.

More: Danjer wins again Danjer continues winning ways in Grade 1, The Championship at Sunland Park

Felix Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: HS Paul Walker wins New Mexico-bred stakes race at Sunland Park Casino