Blamed makes Sunland Park Oaks fifth straight win

Blamed showed a new dimension Sunday when she won her fifth straight race in the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks and picked up 50 eligibility points toward the Kentucky Oaks.

The Sunland Oaks was one of seven stakes on a card that featured the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby. Purses for the races totaled more than $1.5 million, making the program the richest of a meet that runs through April 17.

Blamed ($2.80) was an odds-on favorite in the Sunland Park Oaks after winning her four previous starts wire to wire by a combined margin of more than 24 lengths. She sat just off the pace Sunday, as leader Kram took the field through an opening quarter in 23.76 seconds and a half-mile in 47.74. Blamed took over after six furlongs in 1:11.62, then increased her advantage through the stretch to cover the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.32.

Ken Tohill was aboard Blamed, who won by 6 1/4 lengths for trainer Joel Marr.

“You never know when you’re not going to get the lead,” Marr said. “At some point we’re going to have to run that way. She relaxed pretty well, so we were content to stay right there.”

Marr trains Blamed for Cleber Massey and said at this point no decisions have been made as to whether the filly will advance to the Kentucky Oaks. She has not yet been nominated to the race, he said last week, but late nominations, at a cost of $1,500 each, do not close until April 14, according to stakes information from Churchill Downs.

“We were just looking at that today,” Marr said. “We haven’t talked about the future yet. We haven’t made any definite plans.”

Kram finished second in the Sunland Oaks to earn 20 points for the Kentucky Oaks, while third-place finisher Charge Back picked up 10 and fourth-place finisher Bella Be Ready earned 5.

Blamed began her win streak in her second career start, a maiden special weight Oct. 31 at Zia. She proceeded to win a first-level allowance at the track Dec. 5, then knocked out the $65,000 El Paso Times on Jan. 28 and the $75,000 Island Fashion in her two-turn debut Feb. 25, both at Sunland.

Blamed is a daughter of Blame who was bred in Maryland by Sagamore Farm. She earned $124,000 for the win in the Sunland Park Oaks to improve her record to 5 for 6 for earnings of $241,260.

Blazing Navarone wins third straight stakes

Blazing Navarone ($2.40) won his third straight stakes race in the $100,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Derby, the score following wins in the Four Rivers John Deere on Dec. 31 and the Red Hedeman Mile on Jan. 21, both at Sunland.

Blazing Navarone on Sunday took over after the opening quarter, withstood a bid from 52-1 shot Dani’s Choice, then went on to a 3 3/4-lengths win over Dani's Choice. Blazing Navarone covered the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:44.84. Ry Eikleberry was aboard the son of Song of Navarone for the partnership of George E. Coleman and trainer Henry Dominguez.

The race was for 3-year-olds bred in New Mexico.

* Hennessy Express ($4.20) won the $100,000 New Mexico Breeders' Oaks wire to wire, covering the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.31. Roimes Chirinos was aboard for Dale Taylor Racing and trainer Todd Fincher. Hennessy Express, who won by 2 1/4 lengths, is a daughter of Roll Hennessy Roll. The race was for 3-year-old fillies bred in New Mexico.

Faypien wins Harry Henson Handicap

Faypien launched her 4-year-old season with a 1 3/4-length win over Kell Paso in the $100,000 Harry Henson Handicap. It was another half-length back to Adore in third.

The Harry Henson was a mile handicap for fillies and mares.

Faypien ($5.40), a Southern California invader who was making her first start since December, tracked pacesetter Adore through an opening half-mile in 46.34 seconds. The eventual winner moved to the lead through six furlongs in 1:10.57 and in the later stages held off a bid from Kell Paso.

Faypien covered the mile for fillies and mares in 1:35.28.

Martin Garcia rode the winner and said Kell Paso offered a nice challenge, but that Faypien was decisive in victory.

“She was still much the best,” Garcia said of Faypien.

Bob Baffert trains Faypien for Baoma Corporation. Baffert said going into the Harry Henson that with the right kind of performance Faypien could advance to the Grade 1, $300,000 Humana Distaff on May 5 at Churchill Downs.

Faypien earned $60,000 for the win in the Harry Henson, her fourth career win from eight starts. She is a daughter of Ghostzapper and has now earned $380,275. Faypien won the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks last year at Santa Anita and from there ran second in the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga.

* Mt Veeder ($15.40) wired the field in the $100,000 Bill Thomas Memorial, covering the 6 1/2 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up in 1:15.18. Alfredo Juarez Jr., was aboard for trainer Debra Cugnini. Mt Veeder is by Ghostzapper.

* G M Gage ($24.60) rallied to win the $100,000 New Mexico State University Handicap over Shining Source, covering the one mile and 70 yards in 1:40.55. Tracy Hebert was aboard the winner for trainer Gary Cross. G M Gage is by Elijah’s Song.