By Ray Sanchez
It’s time to start thinking $800,000 Sunland Derby.
Nominations for New Mexico’s thoroughbred jewel at Sunland Park Racetrack and
Casino began Feb. 1. On top of that, the $100,000 Borderland Derby, a stepping
stone to the Sunland Derby, is less than a month away. That’s on Feb. 26.
The Sunland Derby, to be run on March 27, is now graded and one of the richest
Kentucky Derby prep races in the country. The winner this year will take home
$400,000 and earn a berth in the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.
Owners and trainers wishing a spot in the Sunland Derby have been asked to
contact racing secretary Michael Shamburg at (575) 874-5238.The free nominations
from Feb. 1 will require a $5000 starting fee. Free supplemental nominations
made on March 1 will require a $10,000 starting fee.
The annual Gala the night before the Sunland Derby will have a special treat. A
Dallas Cowboys player who was not only a major star but is known for his
outstanding speaking ability will be the guest speaker.
It’s Daryl Johnston, who helped the Dallas Cowboys win three Super Bowls in the
1990s then became one of television’s finest announcers of National Football
League games.
Johnston was considered one of the best fullbacks of his day, while blocking for
Emmitt Smith. Smith went on to become the all-time NFL rushing leader.
A neck injury prematurely ended Johnston’s career but he was present in the
broadcasting booth the day Smith broke the NFL rushing record. When Smith saw
Johnston after the game, the two joined together in an emotional embrace, with
Smith telling Johnston, “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Johnston replied, “It was my pleasure. I couldn’t imagine doing it for anybody
else.”
Due mainly to Johnston’s contributions, the NFL created the fullback position in
the Pro Bowl.Prior to this change blocking fullbacks had little chance of
beating out a regular running back. In 1993 Johnston became the first fullback
ever selected for the Pro Bowl.
Not that blocking was his only assignment. He scored 32 career touchdownsand had
more receptions in his career than carries. He has 294 career receptions for
2227 yards for a 7.6 yard per catch average and rushed for 753 yards on 232
carries for an average of 3.2 yards per carry.
In 1993 Johnston had 50 receptions and averaged 7.4 yards per catch. He earned a
trip to the Pro Bowlin 1993 and 1994.
Live racing at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino will contine on Fridays,
Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays through April 19. First post time will remain as
12:25 until Feb. 22 when the first post time will be chnaged to 12:45 p.m.
In last weekend’s stakes actiion:
Strike It Quick cruised home a powerful winner in the $50,000 KOFX – Radio
Handicap (Grade 3) at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday
Headlining next weekend’s action will be the $50,000 guaranteed El Diario
Handicap for fillies and mares at six and a half furlongs and the $50,000
guaranteed Curribot Handicap for three year olds and up at a mile and a
sixteenth. The El Diario Handicap is named for the El Paso Spanish language
daily newspaper and the Curribot Handicap honors one of Sunland’s all-time
stakes winners.
In last weekend’s stakes action:
Strike It Quick turned on the jets early and cruised home a powerful winner in
the $50,000 KOFX Radio Handicap (Grade 3) on Saturday.
Under a hand ride from jockey Freddie Martinez, Strike It Quick pulled clear by
three parts of a length over Rylees Boy and Streakin Cherry. The grey gelding by
Royal Quick Dash sped through the 350 yards in a fast 16.797 seconds, just
missing his own track record of 16.642 seconds,
Trained by Jose R. Gonzalez, Sr., Strike It Quick has hit a career high with a
stakes win and a track record setting performance in his last two races. He
earned $30,000 for the Jesse Hernandez Consulting, Inc. The Utah bred sensation
improved his career record to 9 wins from 24 starts. The 2-1 second choice
pushed his bankroll past $217,000.