Shining Source wins first stakes in 11th try in New Mexico University Handicap
Shining Source, a 6-year-old gelding who had never won in 10 previous appearances in stakes restricted to New Mexico-breds, got the job done when he finished strong in Saturday’s $85,000 New Mexico State University Handicap at Sunland Park.
Although winless in his first two starts this season, Shining Source ($14.60) was beaten just a length when third in the Albert Dominguez Memorial Handicap in January and rallied from seventh to lose by 2 1/2 lengths in the local prep for the New Mexico State University on Feb. 26.
With regular rider Elvin Gonzalez aboard for trainer Blake Rust, who owns the son of Source in partnership with Barton Ranch Stables, Shining Source came up the inside to kick clear of Liberty Lover to score by a length. He completed a mile and 70 yards in a quick 1:39.83. Streaks Bro finished third at 4-1 and Hit a Lick was fourth as the 8-5 favorite.
It was the seventh win in 30 career starts for Shining Source. His most recent win came for a $30,000 claiming tag in December. Shining Source’s best previous performance in a stakes came in June 2015 when he missed by a neck in a seven-furlong restricted stakes at Albuquerque.