Conquest Mo Money defiantly turned back Irap in mid-stretch to win the 17th running of the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Sunday.
In the process, the locally based talent established himself as a major player in the upcoming $800,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) to be run on Sunday, March 26 which offer 50 qualifying points to the Kentucky Derby.
Under jockey Jorge Carreno, Conquest Mo Money attended a swift pace and set the tempo for the 1 and 1/16 mile feature. The Riley Allison Derby winner took the lead for good at the half mile marker. The determined son of Uncle Mo was challenged sternly by Irap at the top of the stretch but would not be denied. The unbeaten colt found an extra energy reserve and once again pulled clear to maintain his unbeaten status in three career starts. The 2-length winner clocked the distance in a fast 1:43.12.
Winning owner Tom McKenna of Judge Lanier Racing said, “Yes, I like what a saw today. Jorge rode him perfectly. He put him in the right spot at the right time. We prevailed. We have a good horse and he stayed with it. The Sunland Derby is next.” Judge Lanier Racing purchased the outstanding colt for only $8,500 at the Keeneland November Sale in 2016. He has earned $132,900 from three wins.
Coming off a rousing 11-length win in the Riley Allison, Conquest Mo Money was well respected in the betting and ran as a very close 6-5 second favorite. He earned $60,000 for his efforts. Miguel Hernandez is the winning trainer.
Irap came into the Mine That Bird with Grade 1 and Grade 3 stakes placed efforts in the Los Alamitos Futurity and Robert B. Lewis Stakes, respectively. The maiden was highly regarded and raced as the even money favorite. The half-brother to Speightstown trained by 2-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer Doug O’Neill looked menacing coming into the stretch run. Two-time Kentucky Derby winning Jockey Mario Gutierrez gave his mount a perfect trip, but the son of Tiznow could not get by the Sunland Park runner. The favorite had to settle for runner-up honors.
Oh So Regal, another Judge Lanier Racing runner, also produced a great race. The fast closing maiden encountered traffic issues on the far turn but kicked into high gear late to earn a fast closing third place under jockey Tracy Hebert. The horse to watch was only beaten 4 lengths.
The classy Mopotism beat Kell Paso by three-parts of a length to take a driving victory in the $75,000 Island Fashion Stakes at one mile. The Island Fashion is the lead up race for the three-year-old fillies racing in the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks on March 26.
Racing as the 3-5 favorite, Mopotism was put to a severe test in her first race in New Mexico. Coming off a distant second to the highly acclaimed Unique Bella in the Grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita, Mopotism did not figure to have a hard time in the Island Fashion.
Under jockey Mario Gutierrez, Mopotism was forced into a stretch long battle with El Paso Times Stakes winner Kell Paso. The big favorite dug in gamely and won in the clutch to earn her second career win and first career stakes win. Doug O’Neill trains the Uncle Mo filly for Reddam Racing of Anaheim, California. The winning time was 1:36.18. Mopotism earned $45,000 for her victory.
Kell Paso ran her heart out with jockey Ricardo Jaime and kept fighting under steady urging. The locally based runner-up earned $16,500.
New Mexico-bred sensation Sippin suffered her first loss in 8 starts while finishing a well beaten third. The five-time stakes winner was beaten over 8 lengths.
Forest Mouse romped to an easy one and one-half-length victory in the 17th running of the Curribot Handicap. Let loose by jockey Ry Eikleberry on the far turn, Forest Mouse accelerated to a comfortable lead and sprinted clear of all rivals. The unstoppable nine-year-old won for the third straight time this meet. He was won the Winsham Lad Handicap last January.
Trained by Henry Dominguez, Forest Mouse ranks as one of the all-time great handicap horse in New Mexico history. He has won 24 times from 56 career starts and is especially fond of Sunland Park winning 8 times from 13 starts. Forest Mouse earned $45,000 for the Solitaire Stable pushing his bankroll past $900,000. He paid $6.80 to win.
Overland Park tried hard at nearly 19-1 odds and finished second with Duane Sterling in the irons. J Serino wound up third after setting the pace.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.