Mine That Star, a Pioneerof the Nile half brother to 2009 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mine That Bird and multiple Grade 1 winner Dullahan, took charge at the quarter pole and cruised to a 3¼-length win in the $150,000 Sunland Park Handicap on Sunday in New Mexico.
Sent off the favorite under veteran Ken Tohill, Mine That Star was winning for the eighth time from 20 career starts while posting his fifth stakes victory and for the first time from two starts this year for trainer Nancy Summers.
Mine That Star, who was fourth in the Ft. Bliss Stakes Jan. 20 at Sunland Park in his previous start, paid $5.40 for Sunday's win after finishing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.55 on a fast track.
Chasing from second, about a length behind early pacesetter Limonite through six furlongs, Mine That Star was five wide through the second turn before angling in, dispatching that rival, and easily holding back Zestful, who came on late for second. Limonite held on for third, 4½ lengths behind Zestful, in the field of five.
Early fractions were :24.43, :48.21, :1.12.61, and 1:37.55.
Mine That Star, a 6-year horse campaigned by Judge Lanier Racing LLC, earned the winner's share of $93,000 to increase his lifetime earnings to $424,898.
Bred in Kentucky by Phil and Judy Needham, Bena Halecky, and WinStar Farm LLC, Mine That Star was produced by Mining My Own, by Smart Strike. Taylor Made Sales Agency offered him at the 2020 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, where his current owners bought him for $35,000.
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