Sunland Park, NM (SportsNetwork.com) – Longshot Where’s the Moon came roaring
down the stretch to catch odds-on favorite Cinco Charlie and pull off the
upset of Saturday’s $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park.
The Mine That Bird, named in honor of the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner, is a
prep race for the 1 1/8-mile Sunland Derby on Sunday, March 22 and attracted a
field of six 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles.
Cinco Charlie, the 1-5 favorite, took the lead at the start and led the field
into the backstretch. Where’s the Moon, ridden by Enrique Gomez from the
outside post, was racing second in the early going.
The favorite was challenged by Dirt Monster around the final turn with Where’s
the Moon along the inside in third. Cinco Charlie and Dirt Monster battled
down the stretch as 13-1 longshot Where’s the Moon rallied to pass on the
outside.
Where’s the Moon, trained by Henry Dominguez, posted a 2 1/2-length win over
Cinco Charlie with Dirt Monster a nose back in third and Rockinatten fourth.
The time for the Mine That Bird was 1:42.80 on a fast track.
Where’s the Moon was making his first start after breaking his maiden just
eight days earlier. The chestnut gelding, owned by J. Kirk and Judy Robison,
increased his earnings by $60,000 to $75,100.
Where’s the Moon began his career last October at Santa Anita with a sixth-
place finish. He duplicated that result the following month at Del Mar and was
eighth over Del Mar’s turf course on Nov. 29.
On Jan. 16 the gelding got third at Sunland before winning at the track by
6 3/4 lengths.
Where’s The Moon paid $28.80, $3.80 and $3.00. Cinco Charlie returned $2.10
and $2.10, and Dirt Monster paid $3.40 to show.
