Runaway Ghost wins Curribot Handicap; Victim of Love takes Island Fashion

Runaway Ghost pushed past American Dubai in the stretch for a 1 1/2-length win Sunday in the $75,000 Curribot Handicap at Sunland Park. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to Raagheb in third.

The Curribot, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up, was the second win on the year for Runaway Ghost. The horse who captured last year’s Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby won his comeback from a 10-month layoff Feb. 2 in the $75,000 Fort Bliss Stakes at Sunland.

Runaway Ghost ($2.20) on Sunday stalked pacesetter American Dubai through fractions of 24.25 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.46 for the half-mile, and 1:10.56 for six furlongs. Runaway Ghost worked past that rival in the stretch and covered the distance on a fast track in a quick 1:41.44.

Santiago Gonzalez was aboard Runaway Ghost for trainer Todd Fincher.

Runaway Ghost is a homebred for Joe Peacock. He was winning the fifth stakes race of his career. Runaway Ghost is by Ghostzapper and out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Rose’s Desert.

The Curribot was one of three stakes on the card, with the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby won by Hustle Up and the $75,000 Island Fashion captured by Victim of Love.

Victim of Love ($5.60) was coming off an 11-length maiden special weight win Jan. 22 at Sunland. She broke last in the Island Fashion and in the stretch overtook pacesetter D’tatway for a 1 3/4-length victory. Victim of Love covered the mile in 1:37.07.

Backflash closed for second, while it was another 1 1/4 lengths back to K P Slickem in third.

The Island Fashion was the local prep for the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks on March 24.

Ry Eikleberry rode Victim of Love for Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and trainer Henry Dominguez.

Victim of Love is a daughter of Speightstown and a full sister to Grade 2 winner Benner Island and a half-sister to Iowa Derby winner High North.