SUNLAND PARK, NM—APRIL 1, 2017—With Esgar Ramirez in the saddle, Wild Mares Milk drove through an inside opening to win the 54th running of the $162,609 West Texas Derby (G3) at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday.

A rapidly improving three-year-old, Wild Mares Milk poured on the speed in the final 100 yards to defeat Eaglelistic by a neck at the wire.

The Desirio Texas-bred filly stopped the clock for the 400 yards in a good 19.40 seconds, registering a 93-speed index into a 10-mph crosswind. The trial winner was respected in the betting and raced as the 2-1 second choice. She paid $6.40 to win on a $2 ticket.

Trained by Fred Danley, Wild Mares Milk won for the third time in her career and earned $76,427 for the J & SM, Inc. led by Sue May of Fort Stockton, Texas. As a two-year-old, Wild Mares Milk qualified for the 2016 Ruidoso Quarter Horse Futurity. The homebred is out of Kellies Feature by Feature Mr Jess.

Esgar Ramirez was the leading Quarter Horse jockey in the country in 2016 and is on his way to another Sunland Park Quarter Horse riding title this season.

Eaglelistic led midway through the feature under jockey Mauro Salcedo and looked the part of a winner. The 18-1 long shot tried hard but just missed for trainer Cody Reynolds. The runner-up earned $29,270 for owner Donnie Johnson. Kyland Johnson bred the Flyingwitheagles gelding in Oklahoma from the Pritzi Dash mare American Gator.

Always Ifs, the 7-5 favorite, made a solid finish on the outside to gain third place with Cody Jensen in the saddle. Justin Joiner trained the son of Carters Cartel colt from the Dashin Bye mare Mon Ti Rose. The partnership of R.D. Hubbard, Johnny Cope, Rafter W Stables and Henry Southway own the bay colt. James Markum is the breeder.

Mojo Perry, the top qualifier, produced a good effort finishing fourth, beaten a length. Completing the field were Dash Ta Desiro, Famouseagletime, Groupie James, Attack the Wild and Bella Faccia. Tarrant was scratched.

Live racing resumes on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.