Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino
Friday, February 16, 2018
by Eric Alwan
Boogies Special Dash is top qualifier for $102,425 West Texas Maturity
$350,000 stakes horse Boogies Special Dash beat 2016 All American Futurity winner Imperial Eagle and set the top qualifying time for the $102,425 West Texas Maturity in trials held on Friday at Sunland Park Racetrack Casino and Hotel.
The Wes Giles trainee broke smartly and held off Imperial Eagle by a neck to win the first trial heat at 400 yards. The 6-time winner sped through the distance in a fast 19.659 seconds. He is a five-year-old gelded son of Walk Thru Fire and is a perfect two for two over Sunland Park soil. The winner was ridden by Adrian A. Ramos.
Imperial Eagle launched a solid late bid to gain second place under jockey Esgar Ramiez. He qualified in a time of 19.695. The stout grey trained by Tony Sedillo won the 2016 Sunland Park Winter Juvenile Quarter Horse Championship.
The finale for the 2018 West Texas Maturity will be held on Saturday, March 10. Here is the list of qualifiers:
Boogies Special Dash, 19.659; Mister Brooks, 19.681; California King, 19.688; Imperial Eagle, 19.695; Highest Return, 19.714; Soar Like an Eagle, 19.755; Apollitical Kitten, 19.801, Dynasty Ice 123, 19.819; Lotta Dynasty, 19.864 and A Special Dynasty, 20.020.
Live racing continues on Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Sunland Park hosts the Mariachi Festival on Saturday.
$85,000 Peppers Pride Handicap and $85,000 NMHBA Quarter Horse Stakes on Sunday
There are two big stakes races on Sunday’s 10-race card. The 9th race is the $85,000 Peppers Pride Handicap at one mile. The distaff features defending champion My Bikini Fell Off along with the outstanding multiple stakes winning filly Sippin. The route loving Sunday Rose is also a prominent contender.
Sunday’s 10th race is the $85,000 NMHBA Quarter Horse Stakes at 400 yards. 2018 Shue Fly winner Everybuddys Talkin, 2017 Mountain Top Futurity winner Daddys Blushing and 2017 New Mexican Spring Futurity winner Moneys a Maker are part of a stellar field of New Mexico-bred Quarter Horses.
Photo Credit: Coady Photography
