Rig Time equals record in winning Sierra Blanca

Rig Time equaled a track record Sunday in the $50,000 Sierra Blanca at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico when he covered 5 1/2 furlongs on a “good” track in 1:02.

Rocky Gulch in 2003 won the Rio Grande Senor Futurity in the same time at Ruidoso. Larry Teague bred and owned millionaire Rocky Gulch, and bred and co-owns Rig Time with Harry Teague.

“You would think breaking one track record would be good enough, but breaking your own track record is something else all together,” Larry Teague told the publicity department at Ruidoso.

The Sierra Blanca was one of seven stakes on the card as part of this weekend’s Zia Festival. There were four stakes for Thoroughbreds and three for Quarter Horses. The races were all restricted to horses bred in New Mexico.

Rig Time ($6.60) was always prominent, as he pressed Wheredoesthecashgo through an opening quarter in 21.53 and a half-mile in 43.73. The winner took the lead in the stretch and scored by 3 1/2 lengths over Wheredoesthecashgo.

Isaias Enriquez rode Rig Time, who is a son of the Unbridled’s Song stallion Right Rigger. Rig Time won his third stakes and overall has compiled a career record of eight wins from 22 starts for earnings of $347,154.

* Next Affair ($8.60) became a stakes winner when he rallied for a 4 1/4-length win over Mister Kowen in the $50,000 Land of Enchantment. It was another neck back in third to Sea Emperor. The winner covered 7 1/2 furlongs on a “good” track in 1:33.44. Luis Fuentes was aboard the son of Diabolical for trainer Joel Marr. The highweight Thunder Dome was scratched from the Land of Enchantment.

* Cerveza ($6.80) was a 2 1/2-length winner over Efforts N Results in the $50,000 Road Runner for 3-year-olds. He covered 5 1/2 furlongs on a good track in 1:04.19. Luis Fuentes was aboard the son of Attila’s Storm for trainer Todd Fincher.

*Waltzing Attila ($7.80) strolled to a four-length win over Let It Roll in the $50,000 Lincoln Handicap for fillies and mares. The winner set fractions of 22.30 for the opening quarter and 45.38 for the half-mile before covering six furlongs on a good track in 1:10.42. Luis Negron was aboard the daughter of Attila’s Storm for trainer Nancy Summers.

* Hollyn Bootie ($32) was a half-length winner over Woodys Gold in the $382,547 Zia Futurity, which was the richest of the stakes for Quarter Horses. Vine Master, who was 3 for 3 heading into the race, finished third. Hollyn Bootie covered 400 yards on a “good” track in 19.85 seconds.