Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Saturday, April 20, 2019
New News rallies to win Grade 3 West Texas Derby
Showing a dazzling burst of speed in the final 100 yards, New News overcame a bit of a slow start to storm home on top under a strong ride from jockey J. R. Ramirez in the $210,852 Grade III West Texas Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
The Texas-bred son of Majestic Cartel remains unbeaten in three starts during his sophomore campaign. The fastest qualifier for the Derby when trials were held here on March 29, validated his status as the 4-to-5 post time favorite with a late burst of speed, edging Cds Wine N Dine in the final strides.
Trained by Ricardo Armendariz for owners Elco Armendariz and Omar Ruiz, Jr., New News ran the 400 yards in a final time of 19.05 seconds, earning an Equibase Speed Index of 103 and returned $3.80 to his winning backers. His lifetime record now shows three wins from eight career starts with earnings topping $118,000.
Cds Wine N Dine, with Paul Osbaldo on board, finished second, just a neck behind the winner and completing a very gettable $1 exacta of $6.10. They finished just ahead of Midday News with Felipe Garcia-Luna in the irons. Cd Better Be First and jockey Raul Herrera rounded out the top four.
C Breeze was scratched earlier in the day.
Live racing resumes Sunday with a first post time of 12:50 p.m. The featured event on the Sunday card is the $75,000 Neon Desert Handicap, for fillies and mares racing 6 ½ furlongs.