Hence impresses in winning Downs at Albuquerque Handicap

Hence has now won two of the most significant races in New Mexico after he stormed to a 6 1/2-length victory over Oh So Regal in the $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap on Saturday night. The race was the meet's marquee offering for Thoroughbreds. Hence also is a winner of the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Park Derby.

The Albuquerque Handicap shared a card with the $55,000 Albuquerque Distaff, won by K P Wildcat.

Hence ($4.40) trailed early as Dynamic Ruler set fractions of 24.17 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.58 for the half-mile, and 1:12.28 for six furlongs while pressured by Oh So Regal. Hence took over in the stretch and increased his advantage to the wire while covering 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:51.04.

"This race set up just like the Sunland Derby," winning rider Alfredo Juarez Jr. told track publicity. "We sat behind the leaders early, and when I told him it was time to go, he just picked it up. I asked him a little bit more when we got to the quarter pole, and then he just started to run away from the other horses."

Juarez was aboard Hence last year when he won the Sunland Derby. The horse races for his breeder, Calumet Farm, and is trained by Steve Asmussen.

Hence, a son of Street Boss, earned $120,000 for the win. In addition to the Sunland Derby last year, he won the Grade 3 Iowa Derby. Overall, Hence is 4 for 15 with earnings of $756,231.

Pinson finished third in the Albuquerque Handicap, three lengths behind Oh So Regal.

K P Wildcat delivered at 2-5 in the Distaff, closing from next to last for a three-length victory over Super Humor. Adore, who was coming off a stakes win at Evangeline Downs, was scratched.

K P Wildcat ($2.80) settled off Super Humor as that one set fractions of 23.56 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.77 for the half-mile, and 1:11.19 for six furlongs. K P Wildcat overtook that one and went on to cover the mile in 1:37.58.

Roimes Chirinos was aboard for trainer Weston Martin.

K P Wildcat has won 12 of 18 starts and earned $472,636. She is a daughter of Include who races for Karl Pergola.

"I don’t know how many more chances we’re going to get to race her,” Pergola told track publicity. “Maybe this year will be it for her. We might race her one more time at Zia Park this fall, but then she’s going to enjoy her life as a broodmare."

K P Wildcat is an eight-time stakes winner.