Winsham Lad Handicap

Feb 9, 2020

Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino
Sunday, February 9, 2020
by Eric Alwan

Sheriff Brown mows down rivals late to win $65,000 Winsham Lad Handicap

Let go at nearly 14-1 odds, Sheriff Brown mowed down his rivals late to win the 44th running of the $65,000 Winsham Lad Handicap at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Sunday.

Late year’s runner-up of the Riley Allison Derby came through with a career best performance. Under jockey Alfredo Juarez, Jr., Sheriff Brown unleashed a wicked stretch run to overwhelm both Pendleton and Black Ops in the latter stages of the one mile feature.

The half-brother to 2018 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) winner Runaway Ghost finished the final furlong in a flourish to win by three parts of a length for trainer Todd Fincher. The winning time was a sharp 1:35.79. Sheriff Brown’s third career win was worth $40,300 to owner-breeder Joe Peacock of San Antonio, Texas. Sheriff Brown paid a resounding $29 on a $2 win ticket. The victory was his second against older runners.

Pendleton, the heavy 3-5 favorite, looked strong at the top of the lane but had difficulty putting away stablemate Black Ops. The son of Giant’s Causeway had no answer for the winner and had to settle for second place honors. The Justin Evans trained charge looked brilliant on opening weekend beating allowance foes by over 6 lengths. He attended a conservative pace throughout the early stages. Ry Eikleberry rode the runner-up. Black Ops finished gallantly in third under jockey Francisco Arrieta.