Hute forced the pace and repelled multiple challengers to take an exciting win in the 13th running of the $85,000 Red Hedeman Mile at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday.
Under jockey Ken Tohill, Hute broke fast from the gates and immediately set a fast pace while pestered by a stubborn Reining Pesos and Storming Back for the first half mile clocked in 46.93 seconds. The recent maiden winner trained by Joel Marr got no relief from the get go but somehow kept on rolling and held a short lead into the stretch run. The well prepared 9-2 shot put away his rivals and found a second and third wind through the final yards of the one mile feature to win by one and one-quarter lengths over a fast closing Dom Strait. He stopped the clock in a fast 1:37.85.
The New Mexico-bred three-year-old Western Gambler gelding earned $51,000 in his first stakes triumph for owner Michael Stinson of Ft. Worth, Texas. Hute broke his maiden by 7 lengths in a one mile maiden race at Sunland Park on Dec. 30. Marr indicated the $100,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Derby at one and one-sixteenth miles on March 26 could be his next assignment. Hute paid a generous $11.00 on a $2 win ticket. His record stands at 2 wins, and 1 second from 4 starts.
Dom Strait closed fast in the middle of the track to get second place. The runner-up ridden by Miguel Perez sparked a $2 exacta worth $72.60. Dom Strait was closing with interest for trainer Miguel Hernandez. He earned $18,700 for the Judge Lanier Racing Stable.
He’s Another Who, winner of the 4 Rivers/John Deere Stakes, closed quickly to get third after launching a 6-wide bid off the turn. Go For A Stroll, Storming Back, Reining Pesos and Red Duke Run rounded out the order of finish.
In a brilliant performance, Not My Note scored a scintillating win in the $85,000 Mt. Cristo Rey Handicap going four and one-half furlongs. Under Tracy Hebert, the heavy 3-5 favorite relaxed kindly after the break and went on the attack at the quarter pole. The Johnie L. Jamison Handicap winner swept to the front with ease putting away Weappear and Infinite Bull at the top of the stretch.
Not My Note galloped away under only mild encouragement to a four and one-half length victory in near track record time. He stopped the clock in 49.52, just off the track record 49.43 held by Key’s Band in 2009.
Under the direction of the trainer Simon Buechler, Not My Note is now the premiere New Mexico-bred sprint kingpin in stakes races in distances ranging from four and one-half furlongs to six and one-half furlongs. His eighth career victory was $51,000 for owner Michael Weatherly. The knockout sprinter has now earned over $262,000 in 14 starts. The five-year-old gelded son of Fusaichi Zenon is at the top of his game.
Weappear held on for second after battling for control for the pace. The runner-up trained by Nancy Summers and ridden by Duane Sterling finished three-parts of a length in front of Wyatt and D E Lover.
Wyatt just edged out D E Lover for third in a photo finish. Infinite Bull finished fifth after dueling for the early lead.
Live racing resumes on Sunday at 12:45 p.m. An accelerated program of 9 thoroughbred races will take place. Post time for the 9th race is 4 p.m., allowing plenty of time for fans to watch the Super Bowl on the big screens Televisions on-track.