Racing


Instygator Holds Off Empressum, Wins 20th Running of The Championship at Sunland Park-G1
Instygator (#4), under jockey Juan Pulido, holds off Empressum in the 20th running of the $350,000 Grade 1 The Championship at Sunland Park Sunday afternoon at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.

© Coady Photography
Instygator Holds Off Empressum, Wins 20th Running of The Championship at Sunland Park-G1

SUNLAND PARK, NM—JANUARY 2, 2022—Gaining ground with every jump Empressum could not catch Instygator in the $350,000 Grade 1 The Championship at Sunland Park Sunday afternoon at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.

It was the first graded Quarter Horse race to be contested at the New Mexico racetrack since the pandemic caused the plant's closure nearly two-years ago. Live racing resumed on December 31st.

In his first start since winning the Grade 1 $929,465 All American Derby on September 5th at Ruidoso Downs, Instygator quickly took the lead from Empressum after the start, extending to half-a-length before hitting the wire only a neck in front.

The winning connections of Instygator accept The Championship at Sunland Park stakes trophy on Sunday afternoon. © Coady Photography
He completed the "classic" Quarter Horse distance of 440 yards in :21.31 seconds, equaling a 105 speed index over a "good" racing surface at Sunland Park.

Trainer Santos Carrizales, Jr. named regular rider Juan Pulido to ride the son of multiple stakes sire Ivory James for owner Barboza Racing Corp. Bred in Texas by AQHA Racing Champion Breeder Bobby D. Cox, from the Mr Eye Opener mare Eye Poppin, Instygator has compiled a (12) 8-3-1 record and today's $182,000 Championship winners' purse boosted his earnings total to $1,450,239.

As a 2-yaer-old the brown gelding was runner-up in no less than three Grade 1 races that included the All American Futurity(G1), Texas Classic Futurity(G1) and Heritage Place Futurity(G1). In 2021 he made only four starts, winning the All American Derby(G1) and runner-up in the Heritage Place Derby(G2).

Coming off a huge win in the Grade 1 Texas Classic Derby in his last start November 27th, Empressum came up short under jockey Rodrigo Vallejo. M. Heath Taylor trains the son of leading sire Apollitical Jess for owner-breeders Jeff Jones and Steve Holt.

Out of the First Down Dash mare Crazy Down Corona, Empressum won nine of 10 starts last year including the Rainbow QH Derby(G1), Ruidoso QH Derby(G1), aforementioned Texas Classic Derby(G1) and the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby(RG2).

The 4-year-old gelding has compiled. (18) 13-1-0 record and the $66,500 runner-up payday brings his earnings total to $1,098,629.

Apollitical Papa, another son of Apollitical Jess, finished 1-¾'s back to pick up $40,250 for third. Trainer Fred Danley named Noe Garcia, Jr. to ride the 5-year-old gelding for owner-breeders' Sissie and Bob McClure. The Oklahoma-bred, from the Tres Seis mare Sissy Tres Girl, is a multiple graded stakes winner and has earned $253,202.

Completing the field (earnings) were Kj Frankie B, ($25,250), A Dangerous Flash ($19,250) and Don Chuy C ($15,750). Relentlessly scratched.

* * * * * * * * *

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.