Mine That Star splits rivals, wins Downs at Albuquerque Handicap

Working his way from near the back of the pack, Mine That Star made his move through the second turn and split two rivals in the deep stretch on the way to a 1 3/4-length win Sunday in the black-type $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap, a 1 1/8-mile dirt race for 3-year-olds and up.

A 7-year-old Pioneerof the Nile entire owned by Judge Lanier Racing and trained by Dick Cappellucci, Mine That Star (2-1) won for the second time in a row. Last month he prevailed by a head in the seven-furlong, $70,000 Special Stakes at Albuquerque, where he has won five times in nine starts.

Click here for Downs at Albuquerque entries and results.

Ridden by Alfredo Juárez Jr., Mine That Star spotted pacesetting Shotshell (8-1) as many as 7 1/2 lengths while early fractions were clocked at 23.82, 47.34 and 1:11.73. Going four wide in the second turn, Juárez was scrubbing, and Mine That Star responded.

Post-time favorite Unload (7-5), who carried the top weight of 123 pounds, overtook fading Shotshell and held the lead with a furlong to go. But Mine That Star threaded the needle between him and deep-closing Bender (7-1), taking the lead inside the eighth pole and ran on the win.

Bender finished second, a half-length better than Unload. Henry on the Run (32-1) was another 7 1/4 lengths up the track in fourth followed in order by Truth Seeker (16-1), Giant Game (9-2) and Shotshell.

The winning time on the fast track was 1:50.23 after early fractions of 23.82, 47.34, 1:12.73 and 1:36.89.

Mine That Star returned $6.00, $2.80 and $2:40; Bender $3.80 and $3.60 and Unload $2.40.

The race was postponed eight days after persistent rain last week left the course unsafe for racing last Saturday. The track wrapped up its season Sunday.