Sunland: Longshot gets up by a neck

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. - A rare sloppy track at Sunland produced a longshot winner in the $103,700 New Mexico State University Handicap, as 13-1 Runmore Mema prevailed by a neck over I'm Not Bluffin.

Runmore Mema ($28.80) and jockey Jorge Bourdieu bided their time as local heroine and 7-5 favorite Yulla Yulla dueled on the front end with San Felipe's King. Late on the turn Bourdieu sent his mount to rally five wide, and entering the stretch it was apparent that Yulla Yulla, unproven at the mile distance, was out of gas as Runmore Mema seized the lead.

A bit of drama played out nearing the sixteenth pole as I'm Not Bluffin and April Baby were making late bids at Runmore Mema from his outside. April Baby, who in a change of equipment was racing without blinkers because of the track condition, shied in slightly and clipped heels with Runmore Mema and fell, throwing jockey Quyet Bui to the ground. I'm Not Bluffin continued his rally with Perry Whetstone aboard and came up a neck short of victory.

April Baby was on his feet moments after the incident and Bui escaped serious injury as well.

Runmore Mema earned $62,220 for owners Paul and Steven Prather of Eunice, N.M. Trained by Fred Danley, the 5-year-old Runmore Mema covered the mile in 1:38.79 and pushed his earnings past $267,000.

Second choice Ciento was 2 1/4 lengths back in third, while Yulla Yulla finished sixth, beaten seven lengths.