Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino (Saturday, March 29, 2008)

Frankenbean wins $100,000 Mt. Cristo Rey Handicap

FRANKENBEN - Photo credit: Eugene O'Neill / Coady Photo

 

Frankenbean stormed to a front running win in the $100,000 Mt. Cristo Rey Handicap

at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday.

 

Under an excellent ride from jockey Miguel Perez, Frankenbean broke fast and raced

near the lead early in the four and one-half furlong feature for New Mexico-breds.

 

The four-year-old gelded son of Thatusintheolbean swept to the front while running three

wide coming off the turn. He poured on the pressure in upper stretch and raced to a

daylight lead holding off late bids from both Boom Boom and Gulchrunssweet. The fleet

3-2 favorite charged home to win by one length.

 

Frankenbean had faced track record setting open company in his last two spins.

On Saturday, he was at the top of his game for trainer Emmit Burrelsmith, Jr. The

winning time was a sharp 50.79 seconds, less than a second off the track record

held by Gulchrunsweet of 49.83 second held since March 26, 2006.

 

Winning owners Sammy Means and David Ratliff of Ropesville, Texas received

a winner’s check totaling $60,000.

 

Frankenbean capped off a great Sunland season with 2 wins and 2 thirds from 4 starts.

 

Boom Boom finished second, a neck in front of Gulchrunssweet.