Racing


Colby James Prevails, Scores Second Stakes This Meet In Dona Ana County Handicap
Colby James (#4 white blinkers) defeats Marcus Medallion (#6) and Bigg Dee (#2) in the $100,000 Dona Ana County Handicap Saturday afternoon at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.

© Coady Photography
Colby James Prevails, Scores Second Stakes This Meet In Dona Ana County Handicap

SUNLAND PARK, NM—JANUARY 22, 2022—Colby James quickly took the lead under champion jockey Ricky Ramirez Saturday afternoon at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino to defeat Marcus Medallion by a neck in the $100,000 Dona Ana County Handicap, a 440 yard event for 3-year-old & up New Mexico-breds.

Colby James' stablemate' Bigg Dee was another neck back in the blanket-finish to take third.

Coming off a win in the $100,000 Red Or Green Stakes(RG2) in his last start on January 8th, Colby James rolled over the 440 yards in :21.769 seconds, equaling a 93 speed index into a 20 mph headwind.

Trainer James Gonzales, III saddled he son of leading New Mexico sire Jesse James Jr to his eighth career win in 20 starts for owner Rex Wells. Bred by MJ Farms, from the Blushing Bug mare Sand June Bug, Colby James earned $60,000 to boost his bankroll to over $550,000.

The winning connections of Colby James accept the Dona Ana County Handicap stakes trophy Saturday afternoon at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino. © Coady Photography
Runner-up Marcus Medallion, also a graded stakes winning son of Jesse James Jr, earned $20,000 for second. Owned-and trained by Jaime Aldavaz, Sr., the 9-year-old gelding was ridden by jockey Adrian Ramos. Carl Jason Bailey bred the $422,403 earner from the Mr Houston mare Houstons Medallion.

Trainer Gonzales and owner Wells teamed with another MJ Farms bred, Bigg Dee, to earn $10,000 for third. Jockey Mario Delgado rode the multiple graded stakes winning son of multiple stakes sire Big Daddy Cartel. Bred from the Woodbridge mare Miss Woody Dee, Bigg Dee has banked $367,154.

Fly On Down, Cartel Drunk Playboy, Perrys Regard, Don Chuy C, Woodys Gold, Effortless Candy Cat and Spiritonthemountain completed the field.

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Sunday, a nine-race program gets underway at 12:25 p.m. with the featured event being the $65,000 Winsham Lad Handicap.

A field of six older thoroughbreds racing a mile is headlined by 6-5 morning line favorite Zestful, seeking his third straight stakes victory for owners Stable H.M.A. and trainer Bart Hone.

A winner of more than $469,000 having won 12 times from 38 starts, the seven-year-old son of Ghostzapper is coming off a narrow score in the $75,000 Zia Park Championship. He will break from post five and is slated to be ridden by Rigo Sarmiento.

The Winsham Lad will go as the eighth race on the card with a scheduled post time of 3:31 p.m. (MST).

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The 2021-22 racing season, which features both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, runs from December 31 through April 3. Live racing is traditionally offered four days each week on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Year-round Simulcast wagering is also available on racetracks across the country.