Sunland Park: Thoroughbred Stakes Action Pays Out $225,000 Over Two Days

Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino closed out the long weekend Monday with a pair of thoroughbred stakes programs that showcased established runners and decisive performances, highlighted by Mojica’s commanding victory in the Jamison Memorial Stakes and Holiday Pay’s determined score in the Winsham Lad Stakes. The two-day thoroughbred stretch began Sunday with a featured allowance win by Souped Up Wildcat. In all, the extended weekend of thoroughbred action distributed $225,000 in purses.

Souped Up Wildcat Scores Sunday at Sunland Park

Souped Up Wildcat captured the $80,000 feature at Sunland Park on Sunday, February 8, rallying to win the six-furlong contest in 1:10.13.

Photos Courtesy Coady Media

Ridden by Olaf Hernandez, Souped Up Wildcat finished strongest in the stretch to secure the victory for trainer Simon J. Buechler and owners Asmussenequine.com, Gerald O. Thornton, Martin Riley, and Frances & Chris W. Scott. Mark It Down finished second, with First Again rounding out the top three.

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Mojica Dominates Jamison Memorial; Holiday Pay Prevails in Winsham Lad

Mojica continued his strong run Monday at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, cruising to a decisive victory in the 23rd running of the $80,000 Jamison Memorial Stakes, while Holiday Pay delivered a determined performance to capture the $65,000 Winsham Lad Stakes later on the card.

In the Jamison Memorial, Mojica asserted himself early and never relented in the 6½-furlong contest. Ridden by Jose Vazquez, the New Mexico-bred son of Marking went to the lead shortly after the start and engaged Probate through a sharp opening half-mile in 44.66 seconds. Turning for home, Mojica edged clear before opening up decisively in the stretch, crossing the wire six lengths in front in 1:15.29.

Photos Courtesy Coady Media

Owned and bred by Don Apodaca and trained by Filiberto Quiroz, Mojica earned his third straight victory and improved his career record to six wins from nine starts. The Jamison Memorial marked his second stakes win at Sunland Park, adding to a résumé that already includes victories in the New Mexico Classic Derby, Casino at the Downs Derby, and Kendrick Memorial Stakes. His earnings now sit just shy of $330,000.

Earlier in the afternoon, Holiday Pay turned in a steady, well-timed effort to win the 49th running of the Winsham Lad Stakes at one mile. Under Luis Valenzuela, the son of Awesome Slew tracked the pace set by Spenard and What A Dude through a half-mile in 47.6 seconds before making his move on the far turn. Holiday Pay took command entering the stretch and held safely to the wire, finishing 1¼ lengths clear in 1:36.86.

Photos Courtesy Coady Media

Trained by Justin Evans and owned by Pierre Jean, Jr., Leslie A. Amestoy, and Roger K. Beasley, Holiday Pay picked up the fifth win of his career and snapped a four-race losing streak. The Florida-bred runner has now surpassed $250,000 in lifetime earnings. Cornishman finished second, followed by Bender, with Spenard fading to fourth.