SUNLAND PARK, NM—MARCH 28, 2015—Sensational Dash, a 7-year-old daughter of Streak And Dash, burst out to big lead but blew the turn then held off a fast closing Executive Trust to win the $59,760 New Mexico Red Cell Challenge(G3) Saturday afternoon at Sunland Park. El Gato Thomas finished 2½ lengths behind the leaders in the show position.

Ridden by jockey Esgar Ramirez, Sensational Dash was up by 2½ as she entered the turn but came off it six wide into the stretch, opening the door for post-time favorite Executive Trust. The bay mare came back to complete the 870-yard course in :44.867 seconds, a 97 speed index, winning by a neck margin. She pocketed $29,282 for the victory as well as earning the first starting spot in the Grade 1 Red Cell Distance Challenge Championship to be run November 7 at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Salvador Soto trains Sensational Dash for owner Gerardo Acosta. The filly entered the race off a three-length victory over 870 yards for a $20,000-tag at Sunland Park February 6. Frank Fazekas bred the mare in Oklahoma from the Behold A Sensation mare Sensational Affair. Her record stands at (27) 8-6-3 with $157,867 in earnings. The Red Cell New Mexico Distance Challenge was her first stakes victory.

Executive Trust was riding a three-race win streak, including the King Rick Rack Stakes at Zia Park last fall, into today's Red Cell Distance Challenge. Ry Eikleberry had the riding assignment aboard the Executive Menace 4-year-old from the Relagate (TB) mare Entrust.

Guadalupe Munoz, Jr., trains the gray gelding, who made a bid for the win down the stretch, for owner Sherree Meridyth. The $12, 250 second place check boosted Executive Trust's earnings mark to $119,485. Scarlett Hill Farm, Inc. is the breeder.

Champion jockey G.R. Carter, Jr. was aboard El Gato Thomas, an 8-year-old City Street (TB) Texas-bred owned by Joe Johnson and trained by J.J. Gonzales, II. Bred in Texas by Taylor Made Farm, El Gato Thomas picked up $6,275 for his effort. He is out of the Royal Quick Dash mare A Royal Picture.

Jockey James, Prince Bac, Scoot With Da Loot and Finnlander completed the field.