Racing


Fastest Qualifier New News Returns to Win Grade 3 West Texas Derby
New News, under jockey J. R. Ramirez, winning the $210,852 Grade 3 West Texas Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday.

© Coady Phtography
Fastest Qualifier New News Returns to Win Grade 3 West Texas Derby

SUNLAND PARK, NM—APRIL 20, 2019—Showing a dazzling burst of speed in the final 100 yards, New News overcame a bit of a slow start before storming home under a strong ride from jockey J. R. Ramirez to win the $210,852 Grade 3 West Texas Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday.

The Texas-bred son of second-crop sire 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 :19.059 seconds, earning an Equibase Speed Index of 103 and returned $3.80 to his winning backers.

The winning connections of New News accepting the West Texas Derby trophy saddles on Saturday at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino. © Coady Photography
His lifetime record now shows three wins from eight career starts with earnings topping $118,000.

Bred in Texas by Bennie and Teri Jeter, New News is out of the Executive Menace mare Executive Promises.

New News' sire Majestic Cartel was a $180,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate but never started after suffering an injury. A full brother to champion and last year's leading first-crop sire Five Bar Cartel, he is sired by the leading living sire of money earners Corona Cartel.

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.

German Amaya owns the son of world champion sire FDD Dynasty who is trained by Jimmy Guerra. Rafter W Stables bred colt in New Mexico from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Adoration. A finalist in the All American Juvenile last season, Cds Wine N Dine picked up $37,953 for today's effort to bring his bankroll total to $65,573.

The lightly raced Midday News finished half-a-length back to earn $23,194 for owners Linda Joiner, Pat Smith, Izora Southway, Holly King and Kelly Allen. Also by FDD Dynasty, the sorrel gelding is conditioned by Justin Joiner and was ridden by jockey Felipe Garcia-Luna. In only five starts, Midday News has compiled a 1-2-2 record and banked $32,154. Jim Streelman and Bill Dale bred the gelding in Missouri from the Mr Jess Perry mare Summer Love Song.

Guardianne, Ganster Americano, Walkin On Katella, George W 43, Canonball Run and Rustys Miracle completed the field.

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Live racing resumes Sunday with a first post time of 12:50 pm (MDT). The featured event on the Sunday card is the $75,000 Neon Desert Handicap, for fillies and mares racing 6 ½ furlongs.