Harlan Punch takes them all the way in Veterans Stakes

Harlan Punch won his third stakes of the year Monday, when he fought for a three-quarter-length victory over Deputy’s Echo in the $50,000 Veterans at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to Raagheb in third.

David Jacobson owns both the winner and third-place finisher. The horses are trained by the New Mexico-based Justin Evans.

The Veterans was a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up. It served as the local prep for the $150,000 Zia Park Championship at 1 1/8 miles on Nov. 21.

Harlan Punch ($5.60) set the pace from his rail post Monday, taking the field through an opening quarter-mile in 23.84 seconds, a half-mile in 47.24, and six furlongs in 1:11.09. He proceeded to withstand a challenge from Raagheb, then held off a late bid from Deputy’s Echo. The winner covered the distance on a fast track in 1:43.27.

Shane Laviolette was aboard Harlan Punch.

Harlan Punch’s other stakes wins this year have come in the $150,000 Stymie in March at Aqueduct and the Grade 3 Philip H. Iselin in June at Monmouth Park. He was making his second start in New Mexico in the Veterans, and his second for Evans after being trained on the East Coast and in Southern California by Jacobson.

Earlier this year, Harlan Punch was fifth to Catalina Cruiser in the Grade 2 San Diego at Del Mar. Catalina Cruiser on Saturday will start as the probable favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Harlan Punch is a 5-year-old son of Harlan’s Holiday. He has now won 9 of 34 starts and the $30,000 first-place check Monday pushed his earnings to $689,058.