Sunland: Storms Surprise outruns heavy favorite in Red Hedeman Mile

Coady Photography

Storms Surprise, ridden by Isias Cardenas, connects at 19-1 in the Red Hedeman Mile.

Storms Surprise pulled a 19-1 upset in the $85,000 Red Hedeman Mile at Sunland Park on Saturday, when he darted to a 4 2/3-length win over 4-5 favorite Attila’s Hurricane. It was another neck back in third to Indication N M.

The race was for 2-year-olds bred in New Mexico.

Storms Surprise ($40.80) settled off the pace set by Attila’s Hurricane, who led the field through fractions of 23.84 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.84 for the half-mile. Storms Surprise took over after six furlongs in 1:11.51, and went on to cover the mile on a track rated fast in 1:38.54.

Isaias Cardenas was aboard for trainer Owen Bringhurst. Margaret V. Bloss co-bred and owns Storms Surprise, who earlier this year won the $81,000 George Maloof Futurity at the Downs at Albuquerque. Storms Surprise came into the Red Hedeman Mile off a fifth-place finish in the $140,000 New Mexico Cup Juvenile at Zia Park on Oct. 28.

The first three finishers in the Red Hedeman Mile were all sired by Attila’s Storm, a Grade 3-winning sprinter who ranks as the leading juvenile sire in New Mexico.