Mobile Bay by a nose in Zia Park Derby

Mobile Bay edged Pain and Misery by a nose to win the $200,000 Zia Park Derby on Wednesday. The race was one of eight stakes on the program. The richest event on the third annual Land of Enchantment card was the $300,000 Zia Park Oaks, won by Lavender Chrissie.

Mobile Bay ($9.20) settled off the pace Wednesday as International Star broke alertly in his first start since March and proceeded to put up fractions of 24.66 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.54 for the half-mile, and 1:13.17 for six furlongs. Pain and Misery took over at that point, but Mobile Bay engaged him in the stretch, and the pair traded the lead before Mobile Bay eked out his second major stakes win, following the Grade 2 Super Derby in September.

Edgar Prado rode Mobile Bay, who covered the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.62. Bold Conquest finished third, 11 lengths behind Pain and Misery. International Star was fourth, followed by Where’s the Moon and Streak’s Bro in the race that was scratched down to six horses following the defections of Witt Six, Fear the Cowboy, and Dewey.

Mobile Bay earned $130,800 for breeder and owner Tigertail Ranch. He is trained by Victor Arceneaux.

Smack Smack continues stakes roll

Smack Smack won his third stakes in his last four starts when he edged Point Piper by a neck in the $150,000 Zia Park Distance Championship. If the photo had gone the other way, it would have been the 7,000th win in North America for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

Smack Smack ($8.40) stalked the pace and rallied under Shane Laviolette. The win came one start after Smack Smack captured the $55,000 Veterans on Nov. 2 at Zia. Smack Smack’s other stakes win this fall came in the $175,000 Governor’s Cup at Remington Park.

Dream Walkin Farms bred and owns the horse, who is trained by the 81-year-old Don Von Hemel.

• Dirt Monster ($8.80) defeated older rivals when he powered to a three-length win over Forin Sea in the $100,000 Zia Park Sprint. He covered six furlongs in 1:09.03. Alfredo Juarez Jr. was aboard for Teed Off Stable and trainer Justin Evans.

• Thirteen Arrows ($3.60) came back for a 2 1/4-length win in the $100,000 Zia Park Distaff. Florent Geroux was aboard for Fox Hill Farms and trainer Larry Jones. Thirteen Arrows covered six furlongs in 1:09.78.

• Gold Boundry ($11.60) was a front-running, 6 1/2-length winner of the $140,000 Eddy County, a one-mile race for 2-year-olds bred in New Mexico.

• Jrc Callas First ($7), the reigning world champion Quarter Horse, defended his title in the Grade 1, $150,000 Quarter Horse Championship with a one-length win over Mad About the Moon.

• Bl Corona ($83.40) kept Astica from winning her seventh straight race when she upset that one by a neck in the $140,000 Fillies and Mares Championship for Quarter Horses.