Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Friday, March 28, 2025
Holy Hank surges through stretch for commanding win in $150,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Derby
Simon Buechler-trained Holy Hank grabbed the lead at the top of the stretch and rolled to a commanding win in the 20th running of the $150,000 New Mexico Breeders Derby on Friday at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
Ridden by Christian Ramos, Holy Hank was always in contention, racing no more than a length behind pacesetting Mojica and jockey Jose Vazquez through a tepid opening half mile in 48 seconds. Those two raced head and head around the far turn before Ramos got busy aboard the son of Holy Lute at the top of the stretch.
Holy Hank, winner of the Corralito Steak House Stakes earlier this season, easily spurted clear of his rivals before crossing the wire nearly seven lengths in front, racing the 1 1/16 miles in a final time of 1 minute, 45.51 seconds.
Owned by Robert and Del Rae Driggers and Ben Lee Ivey, Holy Hank has now recorded six wins from eight career starts and has amassed earnings of more than $436,000. In addition to the Corralito Steak House Stakes, Holy Hank won a pair of rich stakes races as a 2-year-old last year, including the $332,000 New Mexico State Fair Futurity last fall at Albuquerque Downs. Holy Hank was third in his most recent start, losing to Mojica in the Red Hedeman Mile last month.
Sent off as the 3-to-2 post time favorite, Holy Hank paid $5 to his winning backers. The $2 exacta with Mojica paid $22.60. B Bold Charlie finished third with Stand Up Guy rounding out the top four finishers.
The Smooch narrowly prevails in inaugural running of $150,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Oaks
S and G Racing, LLC’s The Smooch narrowly prevailed under a strong ride from Harry Hernandez in Friday’s running of the $150,000 New Mexico Breeders Oaks.
The Smooch, who battled on or near the lead throughout, took a narrow lead around the far turn while dueling with Souped Up Wildcat and jockey Christian Ramos.
The 3-year-old daughter of Comfort trained by Raymond Valerio battled to the inside of Souped Up Wildcat and a late-running Thatsaterriblidea in deep stretch before getting to the finish line a neck in front, stopping the clock for 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.82.
The Smooch, coming off a disappointing effort last time out in the La Senora Stakes on January 16, picked up her third career win from eight starts, increasing her lifetime earnings to more than $228,000. She finished up her 2-year-old campaign with a win in the New Mexico Classic Lassie Stakes at Zia Park last November.
In a result that was dominated by longshots, The Smooch was sent off at odds of 10.20-to-1 and returned $22.40. The $2 exacta with Souped Up Wildcat paid back $237.60. Thatsaterriblidea was third with FS Liberty Belle rounding out the top four finishers.
Post time favorite Forty Five, sent off at odds of 6-to-5, battled for the early lead under jockey Alfredo Juarez, Jr., but came up empty around the far turn and finished last in the field of eight runners.
Live racing resumes at Sunland Park Saturday with an 11-race card which begins at 12:25 P.M.
