Former claimer Imco Spirit breaks track record in Zia Distance Championship

Imco Spirit made the leap from $12,500 claimer to $200,000 stakes winner on Sunday, when he set a track record in the Zia Park Distance Championship. He won by a half-length over pacesetter Schramsberg, while it was another 3 1/2 lengths back in third to favorite Quindici Man.

Imco Spirit ($20) ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.36. The previous mark of 1:50.40 had been set in 2008 by Song of Navarone, when he won the Distance Championship. The Distance Championship was one of three stakes on the closing weekend of the meet, which wraps up on Tuesday.

Imco Spirit was claimed for $12,500 at Del Mar in August. He turned up at Zia Park one start later, and won back-to-back allowance races. Imco Spirit then was second in the local prep for the Distance Championship, the $55,000 Veterans, before registering his first career stakes win Sunday.

Alejandro Medellin rode the winner for J. Kirk Robinson and Henry Dominguez. Dominguez also trains Imco Spirit, who is a 4-year-old Irish bred horse by Invincible Spirit.

* Jannas Pride ($6.60) rallied for a 3 ¾-length win over Beau Wizer in the $129,845 Eddy County for New Mexico-bred 2-year-olds. He covered the mile in 1:39.13. Juan Ochoa was aboard for trainer Todd Fincher. Jannas Pride races for Charles Hunter and Dale Taylor.

* Noconi ($4.80) won the $150,000 Quarter Horse Championship by three-quarters of a length under Jacky Martin. He covered the 440 yards in 21.06 seconds. Paul Jones trains the horse for the partnership of R.D. Hubbard and John T.L. Jones Jr.