Sunday, March 20, 2022
Mitey Political comes through in the clutch to win $96,850 West Texas Maturity (Gr. III)
$500,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) coming Sunday, March 27
Charles and Dixie Patterson’s Mitey Political showed speed right out of the gate under jockey Sergio Dominguez, then held off a pair of late challenges to win the 33rd running of the $96,850 Grade 3 West Texas Maturity on Sunday at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
The 6-year-old, New Mexico-bred son of Apollitical Jess broke clean from his midpack post in the 400-yard affair and had a short lead midway down the homestretch. Under a stiff drive, Dominguez and
Mitey Political came through in the clutch to hold off late challenges by both runner-up TLC Signature and third place finisher Apollitical Papa in the final yards, prevailing by a neck and earning the first stakes win of his career.
Trained by Donna McArthur, Mitey Political has now won three straight races and is a perfect 4-for-4 at Sunland Park. The win in the West Texas Maturity is the seventh win from 24 career starts, and the $45,519 winner’s share of the purse pads his lifetime earnings to more than $151,000.
Mitey Political ran the 400 yards in a final time of 19.26 seconds and earned an Equibase Speed Index figure of 105. Sent off as the 8-to-5 favorite, Mitey Political returned $5.40 to his winning backers. The $2 exacta with TLC Signature paid back $31.80.
The top four finishers were separated by less than a length at the wire, with Apollitical Papa nosing out Gym N Jam for the third nose across the finish line.
Live racing at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino resumes on Tuesday with a 10-race card that begins at 12:25 p.m.
The $500,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) is less than a week away to be run on Sunday, March 27. Advance wagering on the entire Sunland Derby day card will be available on Saturday, March 26.
Racing Experts Julie Farr and Tom Dawson will conduct a free handicapping seminar in the Signature Showroom starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
