Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Political Twist dominates his rivals on way to winning $365,271 Grade 2 West Texas Futurity
Jockey Luis Martinez guided Political Twist to a romping victory in Saturday’s 65th running of $365,271 Grade 2 West Texas Futurity at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
Trained by Xavier Rodriguez for owners La Feliz Montana Ranch, LLC, Political Twist broke alertly from the gate and quickly sped to the lead, inching clear in the final yards to win by more than a length, stopping the clock in a final time of 15.13 seconds for 300 yards.
Bred in New Mexico, the 2-year-old son of Apollitical Jess was an impressive debut winner and the fastest qualifier for the West Texas Futurity when trials were held here on March 16. A perfect 2-for-2 in his career, Political Twist has earned more than $177,000.
Political Twist is the second consecutive West Texas Futurity winner for both jockey and trainer. Last year, Martinez guided Painted Eclispe to victory in this same race.
Sent off as the prohibitive post time favorite at odds of 1-to-2, Political Twist returned $3 to win. Faust finished second, prompting a $2 exact which paid $16.40. Its A Good Valentine was third while Texas Pharaoh rounded out the top four finishers.
Broadbent rolls late to win $350,758 New Mexican Spring Futurity
Tungsten Racing Partnership’s Broadbent rolled home to an impressive win under Luis Flores-Garcia in Saturday’s 29th running of the $350,758 New Mexican Spring Futurity.
Trained by Eric Valenzuela, the 2-year-old son of Eye Am King didn’t break particularly well from the starting gate but quickly gained his best stride and found himself battling for the lead. He inched clear in the final strides to win by nearly a length, racing the 300 yards in a final time of 15.23 seconds.
Broadbent, a winner in his debut and the fastest qualifier for the New Mexican Spring Futurity when trials were held here on March 15, is a perfect 2-for-2 in his career. Saturday’s win puts his bankroll at more than $173,000.
Sent off as the 9-to-5 favorite, Broadbent paid $5.80 to his winning backers. Highcardforapoke finished a strong second under jockey Luis Martinez, prompting a $2 exacta which paid $103.20. Holliday finished third while Woodcutt rounded out the top four finishers.
Woody Rocks speeds clear on way to winning $90,000 NMHBA Quarter Horse Stakes
CHR Racing’s Woody Rocks broke straight and strong from the starting gate, sped to a clear lead and held on for an impressive win under Luis Martinez in the 32nd running of the $90,000 NMHBA Quarter Horse Stakes.
Trained by Tony Sedillo, Woody Rocks got out of the gates cleanly and had a commanding lead midway down the lane of the 400-yard journey. The 3-year-old son of Woodbridge had enough left in the tank to hold off the late rally of Cue Daddy and jockey Alonso Rivera to win by a neck. The winner stopped the clock with a final time of 19.64 seconds.
Making his first start of the 2025 campaign, Woody Rocks has won three of his last five starts including the rich Zia Futurity last summer at Albuquerque Downs. Saturday’s win brings his career record to six wins from nine outings and earning of more than $272,000.
Sent off as the second choice in the wagering at odds of 5.50-to-1, Woody Rocks returned $13 to his winning backers. The $2 exacta with Cue Daddy paid back $98. Myy Flashn Denali finished third while Bigg Al rounded out the top four finishers.
Kj Bad Moon Rising, the heavy post time favorite under jockey Christian Ramos, lost all chance after bobbling and breaking inward coming out of the gate. Sent off at odds of 2-to-5, Kj Bad Moon Rising finished seventh.
The live racing season at Sunland Park comes to an end Sunday, with several strong stakes races headlining the all-thoroughbred 12-race card. The $200,000 Casa Ford Sunland Park Handicap is the 11th and featured race of the day, with a field of nine going 1 1/8 miles. First post time for Sunday’s closing day program is set for 12:25 P.M.
