HOBBS, New Mexico (December 9, 2007) — R.D. Hubbard’s
Ketel Won made a triumphant return to New Mexico with
a convincing win in the Grade 1, $186,460 Zia Park
Quarter Horse Championship on Sunday afternoon.
On a blustery afternoon, Ketel Won overcame trouble
at the start and pulled away to win by an expanding
half length in :21.25 for the 440 yards. “The horses
on each side of me came together at the start,” said
winning rider Freddie Martinez. “When they separated,
Ketel Won was gone.”
From the stable of five-time defending trainingchampion Paul Jones, Ketel Won was the older horse of
the meet during the Ruidoso summer season and may earn
the same title by winning his only start at Zia Park.
He earned his Ruidoso title with wins in the Grade 3
Higheasterjet Handicap and the Grade 3 All American
Gold Cup, which was also at a quarter mile.
This fall, Ketel Won traveled to Southern California
and finished a strong third in the Grade 1, $200,000
Los Alamitos Championship. “He didn’t get away great
in that race, but he made a strong move along the
rail,” Jones said.
“He’s been really training well and looks great,”
said Jones assistant Lisa Saumell, who handles the
trainer’s New Mexico operation. “We’ll take him to
Sunland Park for The Championship.” The Grade 1,
$400,000 The Championship at Sunland Park is on
December 29 and a victory by Ketel Won would enhance
the colt’s chances for year-end national championship
consideration.
Vital Winner ran an excellent race for trainer
Bradley Bolen to finish second while the
ultra-consistent Bullions N Garters finished third.
The 3-year-old Vital Winner was racing against older
horses for the first time after finishing third in the
Grade 1 Hobbs America Derby and running in the Grade 1
Texas Classic Derby at Lone Star Park in his previous
start.
Bullions N Garters has now finished on the board in
35 of 36 career starts for owner-trainer Jim Gubas.
The 6-year-old mare has won 10 stakes races, but has
yet to win a Grade 1 stakes. She was second in the
Refrigerator Handicap in her start before the Zia
Championship.
As the 3-1 second choice in the wagering, Ketel Won
returned $8.40, $4.40 and $5.60. Vital Winner paid
$21.20 and $15.20 while Bullions N Garters was worth
$6.60 to show.