Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino (Saturday, March 1, 2008)

Some Ghost delivers winning punch in $125,000 NMSU Stakes

 

Some Ghost
Photo Credit: Eugene O'Neill / Coady Photo
 

The rock solid Some Ghost delivered another commanding performance by romping

to a one and three-quarter length victory in the $125,000 New Mexico State University

Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday.

 

The ultra-consistent seven-year-old New Mexico-bred gelding raced patiently down

the backstretch before unleashing an energetic stretch kick to overhaul a game

Fullofenergy.

 

Under a courageous ride from Casey Lambert, Some Ghost was able to close into

a soft early pace which benefited the front running Fullofenergy. Lambert guided the

4-5 favorite through a narrow opening at the top of the stretch.

 

Some Ghost produced a terrific closing punch and ran the final quarter mile in less

than 24.66 seconds. He collared Fullofenergy in deep stretch to take full command

of the mile feature and win his second stakes race of the meet.

 

Lambert said in the winner’s circle, “It’s easy to be patient with a horse like this. He

followed them nicely around the turns. When we found an opening, he shot through it.

He tracked the pace setters real easy. You could tell he was going to take charge

at any moment.”

 

Winning trainer Jess Alley said, “Casey earned his money today. The pace was slow.

Most riders would have gone to the outside. Some Ghost is such a good horse. He

can overcome obstacles.”

 

Some Ghost clocked the one mile in an especially sharp 1:36.75 seconds. He earned

$75,000 from his 12^th career win from 34 starts. In total, Some Ghost has won over

$677,000 for owner Stan Fulton of Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2007, the prolific stakes star

was named the Champion Aged router in New Mexico.

 

Fullofenergy nearly pulled off an upset at 7-1 odds. Under jockey Carlos Madeira
the Desert God gelding carved out a conservative pace and opened up a 2-length

advantage over Some Ghost coming into the homestretch. The gallant runner-up

earned $27,500 for owner H. Joseph Allen of Abilene, Texas.

 

Captain Cooper closed resolutely in the stretch to pick up third place. He and jockey

Ken Tohill finished four and one-half lengths behind the winner.

 

Romeos Wilson, the second choice at 9-2, raced wide and finished fourth.