'Mauk' victorious in Distance Championship

By MARY RAMPELLINI

Jockey Roman Chapa completed a sweep of the final two Thoroughbred stakes of the Zia Park meet on Sunday when he guided Tap Dancing Mauk to a 3 3/4-length win in the $208,800 Zia Park Distance Championship. On Saturday, he won the $157,600 Zia Park Derby on Saturday aboard More Than Regal.

Tap Dancing Mauk ($21.60) raced well off the pace set by Excess Folly, who led the field through fractions of 23.20 seconds for the opening quarter and 47.20 for the half-mile mark. Favored Mr. Trieste took over approaching the far turn and led into the stretch before being overtaken. Tap Dancing Mauk advanced on the final turn and closed well through the stretch to cover the mile and a eighth in a track-record time of 1:55.20.

I just waited and let him run," said Chapa. "There was a lot of speed in the race."

Excess Folly rallied gain for second in the Distance Championship, finishing 2 3/4 lengths clear of Mr. Trieste in third.

Chapa rode Tap Dancing Mauk for trainer Eduardo Caramori and and Mauk One Racing Stable.

* Desirio ($18) led throughout for a neck win over A Long Goodbye in the $211,000 Championship for Quarter Horses at Zia on Sunday. Oscar Hernandez rode the winner for trainer Carl Draper.