Rocky Gulch shooting for $1M

Rocky Gulch, who won his 11th stakes race Sunday in the $147,200 New Mexico Cup Classic at Zia Park, is being pointed for the $125,000 Johnie L. Jamison at Sunland Park on Dec. 11, said his owner and breeder, Larry Teague.

The 6 1/2-furlong Jamison is restricted to horses bred in New Mexico. Rocky Gulch, trained by Terry Walker, is one of the state's marquee horses, with earnings of $772,358. "Our goal is to be the first New Mexico-bred Thoroughbred to earn a million dollars," said Teague. "We're getting pretty close. We've got a good shot."

Last year as a 3-year-old, Rocky Gulch led all accredited New Mexico-bred Thoroughbreds in earnings, with $377,179.

* Zia will hold a qualifying tournament for the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship on Nov. 26. The first three finishers in the Zia tournament will be sent to Las Vegas for the finals on Jan 27 and 28, 2006. The Zia tournament is limited to 150 entrants, and the fee to play is $25. The first-place prize is $2,500.

* Mr. Trieste will be shooting for his seventh straight win on Saturday when he starts as the 126-pound highweight in the $75,000 Veteran's at Zia.