Reride scores in Mine That Bird Derby

Reride won his second consecutive stakes race on Sunday, darting to a 2 1/2-length win over 2-5 favorite Runaway Ghost in the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park. It was another 15 1/4 lengths back to Trooper in third.

Reride came into the Mine That Bird Derby off a victory in the $60,000 Big Drama last month at Delta Downs. Both stakes were at two turns, and they have been the lone starts at 3 for the horse, who is nominated to the Triple Crown.

The Mine That Bird Derby was the local prep for the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby. Reride’s trainer, Steve Asmussen, and his rider, Alfredo Juarez Jr., won the Sunland Derby a year ago with Hence. The Mine That Bird Derby also served as the richest of three stakes on Sunday’s card at Sunland.

Reride ($8.80) was always prominent Sunday, with Runaway Ghost leading the field through an opening quarter in 21.54 seconds. Reride joined that rival soon afterward, as did Trigger Warning, and the trio continued on through a half-mile in 47.88 seconds. Reride took over through six furlongs in 1:12.31, had more when challenged in the stretch by Runaway Ghost, and went on to cover the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.06.

Reride races for his breeder, Winchell Thoroughbreds. He is a son of Candy Ride. Reride earned $60,000 for the win, his fourth from five starts. He has now banked $166,220.

Reride won his debut in June at Churchill Downs and one start later captured an entry-level allowance on turf in October at Keeneland.

Blamed wins fourth straight

Blamed extended her win streak to four on Sunday, rolling by 6 1/2 lengths over Kram in the $75,000 Island Fashion. The one-mile race for 3-year-old fillies served as the local prep for the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Laudation in third.

Blamed ($3.80) took the initiative from the start, setting fractions of 23.93 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.77 for the half-mile, and 1:12.50 for six furlongs. She withstood a bid from Kram on the final turn, then darted clear through the stretch to cover the distance in 1:38.70.

Ken Tohill was aboard Blamed for trainer Joel Marr.

Blamed started her streak in her second career start, a maiden special weight on Oct. 31 at Zia Park. She then accounted for a first-level allowance at the track in December before launching her 3-year-old season with a win in the $65,000 El Paso Times at 6 1/2 furlongs Jan. 28 at Sunland.

Blamed was making her two-turn debut in the Island Fashion. She is a daughter of Blame who races for Cleber Massey.

Sky Defence doubles up

Sky Defence won his second stakes race of the Sunland meet in the $75,000 Curribot. Forest Mouse, was who to bid for millionaire status, was scratched from the race. Sky Defence won the Winsham Lad in January at Sunland.

Sky Defence ($6.60) on Sunday tracked Blue Azul through an opening quarter in 24.50 seconds, then overtook that one through a half-mile in 48.66 and proceeded to lead through six furlongs in 1:12.73 before going on to cover the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.45.

Tohill, who one race earlier on the card won the Island Fashion Stakes, was aboard Sky Defence for trainer Susan Arnett.