Mine That Star, Kj Little Duce Coup cap Sunland Park racing season with big wins
Mine That Star has been a consistent force around New Mexico racetracks in his career and on Sunday that continued on the final day of winter/spring horse racing at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.
Mine That Star, who was the 8-5 post time favorite, took control of the 62nd running of the 1 1/8th miles, $150,000 Sunland Park Handicap in the final third of the race and won by more than three lengths over Zestful in a time of 1:49.55 for trainer Nancy Summers and jockey Ken Tohill.
The win was Mine That Star's eighth in 20 starts. The half-brother to 2009 Kentucky Derby winner, Mine That Bird, also has two second-place and two third-place finishes and earned $93,000 on Sunday for owner Judge Lanier Racing (Tom McKenna et al).
Mine That Star, who is the 6-year-old, Kentucky-bred son of Pioneer of the Nile, has now earned more than $420,000.
"There have been some ups and down, but he's really been consistent in his career," Summers said. "He ran a great race to finish out the meet."
Tohill ended the Sunland meet on a high note as well. Last week he won the Sunland Derby aboard Wild On Ice.
"Mine That Star is a remarkable animal," Tohill said. "Nancy was happy with the way he was training and I'm thankful for the opportunity, it makes my job fun. Sunland has been good to me, I've had a chance to shine here."
Quarter horse roundup
Sunland Park's leading quarter horse trainer Wes Giles put another stamp on his outstanding season, sending out Kj Little Duce Coup and jockey Adrian Ramos to a thrilling victory in the 63rd running of the $282,925 Grade II, West Texas Futurity on Saturday.
Owned by John Lee, W. Kathy Lee and I. Ruben Mares, Kj Little Duce Coup dueled on the front end with Lets Leave and Kj Flying Cowgirl. The 2-year-old Arizona-bred gelding by Apollitical Jess got his nose down on the wire, winning by a neck with a final time of 15.21 seconds for 300 yards.
Kj Little Duce Coup won his trial heat here in his career debut on March 11. Saturday's win keeps his record intact after two lifetime starts with earnings approaching $140,000.
Think On It, sent off as the post time favorite under Sergio Becerra, Jr., finished sixth.
In the richest quarter horse race of the meet, trainer Manuel Rodriguez sent out Crispyn and jockey Alan Hernandez to an impressive win in the 27th running of the $365,727 New Mexican Spring Futurity, for 2-year-old New Mexico-breds.
Owned and bred by MRB Racing, LLC, Crispyn battled on the lead throughout and held off a late rally from post time favorite Miss Hi Tide to win by a neck, racing 300 yards in a final time of 15.21 seconds.
The son of A Royal Jess was the fastest qualifier for the New Mexican Spring Futurity when trials were held on March 10. He has now won both of his career starts, with earnings topping $182,000.
Sent off as the second choice on the board at odds of 3-1, Crispyn paid $8.40 to his winning backers.
Fincher's horse with big effort at Oaklawn
Sunland Park based trainer Todd Fincher found success at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas on Saturday. His 3-year-old filly, Olivia Twist, ran third in the $600,000 Fantasy Stakes. Olivia Twist was 50-1 at post time and David Cabrera was the jockey.
More: Sunland Derby news Longshot Wild On Ice wins Sunland Derby at odds of 35-1
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Mine That Star, Kj Little Duce Coup cap Sunland Park racing with wins
