Runaway Ghost proves best in Sunland's Curribot Handicap
Runaway Ghost continued his comeback
Sunday in the $75,000 Curribot Handicap at Sunland Park, passing American Dubai
in the stretch to win his second start off nearly a 10-month layoff.
The 4-year-old Ghostzapper colt won the Ft. Bliss Stakes on Feb. 2, his first start since taking the Sunland Derby (G3) last March. A cannon bone fracture caused him to miss the Kentucky Derby, but so far trainer Todd Fincher’s patience in bringing him back slow has paid off.
Runaway Ghost helped Fincher achieve a milestone moment Sunday. After the Curribot, Fincher was one race shy of 1,000 wins. The trainer notched that number two races later when Hustle Up held off Wicked Indeed in the Mine That Bird Derby.
American Dubai, a multiple stakes winner in New Mexico seen on the 2016 Kentucky Derby trail, took the lead and set opening fractions of 24.25 and 47.46. Runaway Ghost, ridden by Santiago Gonzalez, was taken three wide into the first turn before edging into second over Deputy’s Echo.
The pacesetter tried to pull away early and opened up by more than three lengths. Runaway Ghost closed the gap in the turn and was fanned at least four wide when turning for home. American Dubai fought back, but Runaway Ghost proved best and edged clear by 1 1/1 lengths.
He completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.44.
American Dubai was second ahead of Raagheb, winner of Sunland’s Winsham Lad Handicap Jan. 13, and Pendleton.
Runaway Ghost is a homebred for Joe Peacock. He is out of the New Mexico-bred mare, Rose's Desert, another homebred for Peacock trained by Fincher. Rose's Desert was a seven-time stakes winner in her home state and earned $626,035.
Runaway Ghost was consigned by Shawhan Place at the 2016 Keeneland September sale but RNA's for $240,000. He ended up being a successful keep for Peacock, with his earnings now reaching $653,510 from a 9:6-2-0 record.
When trained by Michael Machowsky in California, Runaway Ghost broke his maiden as a 2-year-old at Santa Anita in the same race multiple Grade 3 winner My Boy Jack made his debut. The colt also won the Golden Nugget Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.
After moving to New Mexico with Fincher, Runaway Ghost won the Riley Allison Derby and was second in the Mine That Bird Derby before taking the Sunland Derby.