Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino (Saturday, February 23, 2008)

Run Right Thru wins a stirring $50,000 Santa Teresa Handicap

Run Right Thru - Photo credit: Eugene O'Neill / Coady Photo

 

Former Southern California sprinter Run Right Thru generated a stirring run to win the

$50,000 Santa Teresa Handicap at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday.

 

Under a perfect ride from jockey Alfredo Juarez, Run Right Thru exploded to the front

in upper stretch and held off a menacing late run from Sweet Ambition to win the six

and one-half furlong distaff stakes by three parts of a length.

 

Run Right Thru rated perfectly behind the speed contingent of Goodbye Norma Jean

and Stealth Cat. She waited to pounce before making a three-wide attack on the far

turn. When challenged by the Asmussen trained Sweet Ambition, Run Right Thru

dug gamely and responded with energy.

 

The four-year-old bay filly by Montbrook shipped in to Sunland Park from Santa Anita

last month and has flourished under trainer Henry Dominguez. The Kentucky-bred

has now won two races from two local spins. She paid $9.20 on a $2 win ticket

for her loyal backers.

 

She won the Santa Teresa Handicap in a sparkling time of 1:16.27.

 

Winning owner Chris Coleman of Farmington, New Mexico received a first place

prize check of $30,000.

 

Sweet Ambition finished a strong second, two and three-quarter lengths in front

of the Dominguez trained Goodbye Norma Jean. The latter cut out early fractions

of 22.09 and 44.84 seconds.

 

Henry Dominguez continued his assault on the Sunland stakes schedule. He saddled

the winners of the $50,000 El Paso Times Handicap and $50,000 Island Fashion Stakes

earlier this season. He said in the winner’s circle, “We had a great day today. I thought

there could be a speed duel. My jockeys did a great job. They knew how to pace the

race. Chris (Coleman) sent us these fillies and they were ready to roll.”

 

Dominguez added that both Run Right Thru and Goodbye Norma Jean might be pointed

to the $150,000 Harry Henson Breeders’ Cup Handicap to be run at Sunland Park

on Sunday, March 16.