Cosmic Burst proves best in Zia Park Oaks

Cosmic Burst picked up the third stakes victory of her career Wednesday, when she drove to a 1 1/4-length win in the $250,000 Zia Park Oaks.

“That turkey’s going to taste good tomorrow,” said trainer Donnie Von Hemel.

The Zia Park Oaks was the co-featured race on a Thanksgiving Eve program of seven stakes worth $1 million. It shared top billing with the $250,000 Zia Park Derby won by 12-1 shot Nanoosh.

Cosmic Burst ($7.80) settled in third under regular rider Richard Eramia on Wednesday as Baydar jumped out to a clear lead, setting fractions of 23.35 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.47 for the half-mile. She’s a Julie, the 1-5 favorite, took over through six furlongs in 1:11.17 and was soon joined by Cosmic Burst. The fillies battled in the stretch, with Cosmic Burst going on to cover 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.97.

“It was the trip we were hoping to get,” Von Hemel said. “She got pinned on the inside the last couple of times and maybe we didn’t get to run to her full ability. Credit to She’s a Julie. She’s a tough mare to beat. Third times a charm.”

Cosmic Burst had run second to She’s a Julie in the Grade 3 Iowa Oaks and third to her last out in the Grade 3 Remington Park Oaks.

In the Zia Oaks, Rose of Malibu rallied for second to Cosmic Burst, while Sydney Freeman edged She’s a Julie for third in a photo. Baydar ran fifth and Casa Bonita, sixth. Secret Spice was scratched Wednesday.

Von Hemel also trains Sydney Freeman. He said the fillies will now head back to Remington Park.

Cosmic Burst, who earlier this year won the Grade 3 Honeybee at Oaklawn, is a daughter of Violence who races for Norma Lee Stockseth and Todd Dunn. Von Hemel said plans going forward are to be determined. Cosmic Burst could have wrapped up her season in the Zia Oaks, or she could run one more time this year, in the $100,000 She’s All In on Dec. 16 at Remington.

“It could go either way,” Von Hemel said. “We’ve got a little time to figure that out.”

Von Hemel said Sydney Freeman has the option of the $65,000 Useeit for Oklahoma-breds on the same card at Remington.

“I’m proud of Sydney,” he said.

Cosmic Burst earned $150,000 for the win to push her earnings to $499,780. She registered her first career stakes win last December at Remington in the Trapeze.

Forevamo in photo in Zia Park Championship

Forevamo fought for a head win over Pinson in the $150,000 Zia Park Championship and with the victory flattered Hence. The score came one start after Forevamo finished second to Hence – who is set to run Friday at Churchill Downs in the Clark Handicap - in the $175,000 Governor’s Cup at Remington Park.

Forevamo ($7) stalked the pace in third Wednesday as Pinson pushed leader and 4-5 favorite Shotgun Kowboy through an opening quarter in 24.11 seconds, the pair going wide in the first turn. Forevamo advanced while Pinson took over through three-quarters in 1:12.77. The eventual winner then battled between Pinson and Deputy’s Echo through the stretch. Forevamo covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.38.

Ricardo Santana Jr., was aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen. Forevamo is a son of Uncle Mo who races for Brittlyn Stable. He has now won 3 of 23 starts and the first-place check of $90,000 pushed his earnings to $504.955.

Stakes double for Redekop

Owner Peter Redekop celebrated a stakes double Wednesday when Alliford Bay won her fifth straight stakes in the $100,000 Zia Park Distaff and Anyportinastorm ran six furlongs in 1:07.92 to capture the $100,000 Zia Park Sprint. Both horses share the same trainer, Blaine Wright, and were ridden by the same jockey, Juan Hernandez.

Alliford Bay ($6) stalked the pace set by Woman At the Well, who took the field through a half-mile in 44.55 seconds. Alliford Bay rallied in the stretch, winning by three lengths over that one while covering six furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.05. Alliford Bay’s stakes wins have come in her last five starts, at such tracks as Golden Gate and Hastings. She is a daughter of City Zip.

Anyportinastorm ($7.80) was up by a length through the opening quarter of the Zia Park Sprint and increased his advantage from there, for a 3 3/4-length win over Record Year. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to Stallwalkin’ Dude in third. Anyportinastorm is a son of City Zip.

► Watch Me Burn ($10.60) kept 1-5 favorite Adventurous Lady at bay late for a 1 1/4-length win over that one in the $75,000 Zia Park Princess. It was another 10 lengths back to Cover Charge in third. Watch Me Burn broke on top and never relinquished her advantage, setting fractions of 21.85 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.30 for the half-mile before covering the six furlongs in a blazing 1:08.17. Alonso Quinonez was aboard for trainer Val Brinkerhoff. Watch Me Burn, a daughter of Hold Me Back, races for Kelly Brinkerhoff and Bob Grayson, Jr.

► Oil Money ($10.80) pressed 3-5 favorite Stupify before going on to a 3 1/2-length win in the $75,000 Zia Park Juvenile. Oil Money pushed the leader through an opening quarter in 21.87 seconds, moved to the fore through a half-mile in 44.85, and went on to cover six furlongs in 1:09.06. Myhotrodlincoln finished second, while it was another 2 1/4 lengths back to Stupify in third. Orlando Mojica was aboard for trainer Robertino Diodoro. Oil Money is a son of J P’s Gusto who races for Charles Garvey.