Sunland Park Derby next for Mr Money Bags

Mr Money Bags is headed back to New Mexico. The gelding, who won his debut in the state, came out of an 11 1/2-length stakes win Saturday night at Sam Houston in good order and will now target the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Park Derby, trainer Mike Neatherlin said Monday.

Mr Money Bags earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 89 for his romp in the $65,000 Jim’s Orbit division of the Texas Stallion Stakes on Saturday. Neatherlin said the horse will continue to train at his Sam Houston base before heading to New Mexico a few days out from the Sunland Derby, which is March 24.

Mr Money Bags won his career debut in New Mexico on Nov. 6, when he rolled by 5 3/4 lengths in a maiden special weight at Zia Park. He is a Triple Crown nominee, and Neatherlin and owner Roy Cobb decided on Sunland to give Mr Money Bags a chance at Kentucky Derby points.

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“I was born out in that part of the country and I started my career there,” said Neatherlin, who is now based in Texas. “I ran in New Mexico for many, many years. I have a lot of good friends out there, and talking with the owner I thought it was one of the better spots we could go. I know people out there, and it just kind of helps.”

Mr Money Bags was winning his first stakes in the Jim’s Orbit. He set the pace and won the six furlong race in a quick 1:10.86. He’s made one start at two turns and ran a close third in the $75,000 Big Drama at Delta Downs – a start that came after the horse had time off due to an abscess found in a hind foot, Neatherlin said.

“I don’t think distance will be a problem with this horse,” Neatherlin said. “I think he’ll rate. He’ll do whatever we want.”

Mr Money Bags is a son of Silver City, who as a 3-year-old ran second in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn.