Recharge remains unbeaten with Sunland Oaks victory

Now, now girls.

Gun Runner’s daughters had an all-out stretch fight in the $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks on Sunday, with pacesetter Recharge finding more to edge a relentless Candy Aisle for a neck win. It was another four lengths back in third to Simply Enchanting.

Recharge and Candy Aisle share a sire, but hail from different stables. Steve Asmussen trains Recharge for Winchell Thoroughbreds, while Candy Aisle is a three-time stakes winner based in New Mexico with trainer Todd Fincher.

Both earned Kentucky Oaks points for their efforts Sunday, with Recharge picking up 20 and Candy Aisle securing 10. Simply Enchanting earned 6 points, while fourth-place finisher Methods gained 4, and Raspberry Wine, 2.

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Recharge remained unbeaten in three starts with her win in the Sunland Oaks. She also helped lift her rider, Joel Rosario, to a memorable card as she gave him one of his four stakes wins on the most lucrative program of the meet.

Recharge ($6.60) set fractions of 24.09 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.39 for the half-mile, and 1:12.61 for six furlongs. Candy Aisle, who broke last from the rail, advanced and in the stretch hooked up with Recharge, who ultimately covered the mile distance on a fast track in 1:37.27.

Recharge was recharged for her battle with Candy Aisle after changing leads, Rosario said in a post-race interview conducted by Sunland.

“It looks like she responded really good there,” he said. “She took a little time there to switch leads and I got her to switch and then she went on and she just came back and kept moving forward. She did really great.”

Recharge had won a maiden special weight sprint at Remington Park and an entry-level allowance route at Sam Houston prior to her start in the Sunland Park Oaks. She has now earned $189,498. Recharge is one of three stakes winners produced by dam Remit, with the others being multiple Grade 2 winner Finite and Reride.

Asmussen had a second stakes winner on the card when Rosario guided Jaxon Traveler to a three-length victory over Loco Luna in the $100,000 Bill Thomas Memorial.

Jaxon Traveler ($5.40) set fractions of 22.44 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.67 for the half-mile before covering the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14.90.

Jaxon Traveler is a son of Munnings who races for West Point Thoroughbreds. The win was his second New Mexico stakes victory in his last three starts, as he accounted for the Zia Park Sprint in November.

Flying Connection takes Henson Handicap

Flying Connection led from start to finish under Rosario to capture the $100,000 Harry Henson Handicap as the 125 pound highweight. She won by 4 1/4 lengths over Love Tank, while it was another nose back in third to Loana.

“Beautiful race, super nice filly,” said winning trainer Fincher.

Flying Connection ($2.10) set fractions of 24.42 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.72 for the half-mile and 1:11.63 for six furlongs before completing her course in 1:35.98.

Fincher said plans going forward are to be determined, but that he will consider stakes at Oaklawn.

Flying Connection is a daughter of Nyquist who has now won 7 of 13 starts for earnings of $617,300. She races for the partnership of Brad King, Randy Andrews, Chris Coleman, Jim Cone, Suzanne Kirby, and Lee Lewis.

Fincher won two other stakes on the card, both for New Mexico-breds. Payingoffmymarker dominated the $100,000 Enchantress under Rosario, winning off by eight lengths to conquer two turns. She covered the mile for 3-year-old fillies in 1:38.75. Following the race, she was vanned off. “She pulled up a little sore, which is surprising,” Fincher said. “She’s back at the barn.” The daughter of Marking races for Dustin Brooks.

Community Leader improved his career record to 8-for-9 with his 8 1/4-length win in the $100,000 Red Hedeman Mile. Felipe Valdez was aboard for Fincher. Community Leader ($3) covered the distance in 1:37.75. The son of Diabolical races for his breeders, J. Kirk, and Judy Robison.

◗ Sunland Park handled $3,115,999 on its 10-race card from all sources Sunday, up from $2,881,426 for the corresponding card in 2023, according to figures provided by Dustin Dix, director of racing operations for Sunland. The ontrack attendance was 15,446.

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