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SUNLAND PARK, NM—MARCH 4, 2017—Seis Menudos sped to a narrow win over Jess Cruzin On By in a high powered 15th running of the Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday.
Let go at 14-1 odds, Seis Menudos closed furiously in the final stanza of the 350-yard feature to win a photo finish under jockey Raul Herrera. The former $5,000 claimer regained his sharp form this season at Sunland Park for trainer Adam Tapia.
The longshot winner paid $30.80 on a $2-win ticket from his 9th career win in 19 starts. The six-year-old New Mexico-bred gelding by Southern Corona was timed in a fast 17.21 seconds, good for a 98-speed index. Seis Menudos has enjoyed an affinity for the Sunland surface over the years winning 5 times from 8 local outings.
Winning owner Eloy Humberto Pena received a winner’s check worth $51,000. Bred by McCarty, Wood and Southwest Paving and Grading, Inc., Seis Menudos is out of the Dash Ta Fame mare Uno Menudo.
The homebred for owner/breeder Yaneth Cabrera is out of the Woodbridge mare Woodbridge Duchess.
2016 Lou Wooten/Sydney Valentini Handicap winner Princess Jesse generated a big effort from the rail post position. The well decorated stakes filly was searching for her fourth straight win. Under jockey Alfredo Sigala, Princess Jesse contended for the early lead and fought grudgingly throughout to finish third, beaten a half-length.
Owner/trainer Vance Mikkelson saddled the Jesse James Jr 4-year-old from the Dean Miracle mare Total Miracle. >[? Seeylateralligator failed to deliver enough punch and finished sixth. The 8-5 favorite was coming off lucrative stakes scores in the $85,000 Jess Burner Memorial and $85,000 Dona Ana County Stakes.
Completing the order of finish were Play Misty Forme 4th, Justified By Chicks 5th, Seeyalateralligator 6th, Frank N Jesse 7th, Booyah Bay 8th, Teana Fay 9th, and Major Moonflash 10th.
Lifetime earnings of the Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap field totaled over $1.8 million. Live racing resumes on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Sunland Park’s biggest day is only 3 weeks away. The $800,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) will be contested on Sunday, March 26. The winner of the Sunland Derby (Gr. III) gains a virtual berth into the 2017 Kentucky Derby. The $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks will also supplement a stakes filled card worth over $1.5 million.