Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Sunday, February 4, 2024
Over Da Edge scores thrilling win in $193,285 Shue Fly
Miguel and Mauricio Gallegos’ Over Da Edge narrowly prevailed in a thrilling finish to the $193,285 Shue Fly Stakes on Sunday afternoon at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
Ridden by Luis Flores-Garcia for trainer Eric Valenzuela, Over Da Edge battled on or near the lead from the start of the 400-yard contest. The three-year-old daughter of Eye Am King battled under urging with the bunch nearing the wire, withstanding a late rally from runnerup Big Posies Cartel and jockey Jacob Enriquez to score by a neck, stopping the timer in an impressive final time of 19.37 seconds and earning an Equibase Speed Index of 98.
Sunday’s win in the Shue Fly marks the fourth win from nine career starts for Over Da Edge. She is 2-for-3 in the win column at Sunland Park, having most recently won her trial race for the Shue Fly on Jan. 14. This is the first career stakes win for Over Da Edge after having previously finished third in both the New Mexico Classic Cup Juvenile last fall at Zia Park and the Mountain Top Futurity last July at Ruidoso Downs. Over Da Edge earned $90,844 for her winning efforts, bringing her career bankroll to more than $154,300.
Sent off as the second choice in the wagering at odds of 4.70-to-1, Over Da Edge paid back $11.40 to her winning backers. The $2 exacta with Big Posies Cartel returned a healthy $134.20. Sweetest Emotion was third under Francisco Calderon, with Chicka Boom Babe and Adrian Ramos rounding out the top four finishers.
Call Me Jessiecartel, who came into the Shue Fly as the fastest qualifier and was sent off as the post time favorite under Sergio Becerra, Jr., broke a bit slow from his inside post, rushed up a bit but couldn’t match strides in the final yards, winding up fifth, beaten just a bit more than a length by the winner.
Solid was scratched earlier in the day, reducing the field to nine runners in the Shue Fly.
Freedom Flash pours on the gas late to easily win $100,000 Starr Westen Wear Stakes
In Sunday’s co-featured $100,000 Starr Western Wear Stakes at 870 yards, Freedom Flash took advantage of a dream trip and posted a convincing, 4-length win under jockey Christian Ramos.
Trained by Todd Fincher for owners Pierre & Leslie Amestoy and Roger Beasley, Freedom Flash broke cleanly from the gate and battled for the early lead with Classy Moon. As the field worked its way around the far turn, Classy Moon drifted out badly under Noe Garcia, Jr., allowing Freedom Flash to regain the lead. The son of First Moonflash drew off in the homestretch and crossed the finish line well in front of Regal Isabella and jockey Christian Cardenas, stopping the clock in an eye-catching final time of 43.94 seconds for 870 yards while earning an Equibase Speed Index of 114.
Freedom Flash won the Starr Western Wear Stakes last year and has now found his way into the winners circle nine times from 36 career starts. He was third last time out behind The Grand Legend in the King Rick Rack Stakes at Zia Park last time out. Freedom Flash has now won five times from 10 starts at Sunland Park and increases his lifetime earnings to more than $603,000.
Sent off as the 7-to-10 favorite in the Starr Western Wear Stakes, Freedom Flash paid back $3.40 to his supporters. The $2 exacta with Regal Isabella returned $16.80. Classy Moon had enough energy late to secure third place, with El Vital rounding out the top four finishers.
Sonny Surfer, El Tres Menudos and Miss Tizy were all scratched earlier in the day, reducing the field to five runners.
Live racing resumes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Thursday with a nine-race card which has a first post time of 12:25 p.m.
