Desert Gamble connects at 16-1 in Dominguez Memorial

Desert Gamble became a stakes winner on Sunday, when he got up in the final strides of the $100,000 Albert Dominguez Memorial at Sunland Park. He won by a neck after closing from next to last in the 1 1/16-mile race for 4-year-olds and up bred in New Mexico.

Desert Gamble ($35.20) settled well off the pace set by favorite Enchanted Outlaw, who showed the way through six furlongs in 1:12.55 while pushed along by Huntin the Trash. Desert Gamble angled out into the stretch and ran down his uncoupled stablemate, Lefty Who, to win in 1:46.27.

Lefty Who held second over third-place finisher Spinning Touch.

Justin Shepherd was aboard Desert Gamble, who came into the race off a fifth-place finish in the $192,000 New Mexico Cup Classic on Oct. 31. Joel Marr trains the winner for the partnership of Joe Allen and Michael Stinson.

Desert Gamble has now won 5 of 19 starts and $179,604.