Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Sunday, February 26, 2017
by Eric Alwan
Mopotism takes driving win in $75,000 Island Fashion Stakes
The classy Mopotism beat Kell Paso by three-parts of a length to take a driving victory in the $75,000 Island Fashion Stakes at one mile. The Island Fashion is the lead up race for the three-year-old fillies racing in the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks on March 26.
Racing as the 3-5 favorite, Mopotism was put to a severe test in her first race in New Mexico. Coming off a distant second to the highly acclaimed Unique Bella in the Grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita, Mopotism did not figure to have a hard time in the Island Fashion.
Under jockey Mario Gutierrez, Mopotism was forced into a stretch long battle with El Paso Times Stakes winner Kell Paso. The big favorite dug in gamely and won in the clutch to earn her second career win and first career stakes win. Doug O’Neill trains the Uncle Mo filly for Reddam Racing of Anaheim, California. The winning time was 1:36.18. Mopotism earned $45,000 for her victory.
Kell Paso ran her heart out with jockey Ricardo Jaime and kept fighting under steady urging. The locally based runner-up earned $16,500.
New Mexico-bred sensation Sippin suffered her first loss in 8 starts while finishing a well beaten third. The five-time stakes winner was beaten over 8 lengths.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
Photos courtesy of: Coady Photography
