Omar invades for third straight victory, takes down KLAQ

Omar won his third consecutive race Saturday, when he held off the charging favorite and highweight Wine Police by a neck in the $50,000 KLAQ Handicap at Sunland Park in New Mexico. It was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third to Unfettered.

The KLAQ, for 3-year-olds and up over five furlongs, was the first Thoroughbred stakes of the Sunland meet that opened Friday. Omar invaded from Turf Paradise off back-to-back wins at the track in Phoenix.

“The horse is on a roll right now,” said Robertino Diodoro, who trains Omar for the partnership of Randy Exelby, Rick Running Rabbit, and TG Racing.

Alfredo Juarez Jr. was aboard Omar ($10.20), who dueled with Homerun Berti through fractions of 21.02 seconds for the opening quarter and 43.43 for the half-mile. Omar moved to the fore in the stretch and went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 56.23.

Omar, a 5-year-old son of Bertrando, was bred in California by Omar Aldabbagh. The horse, who was claimed this summer at Del Mar, now will return to Turf Paradise, said Diodoro.