Sunland: Twelve Twenty Two much the best in Harry Henson

Twelve Twenty Two improved her Sunland Park record to 7 for 7 on Sunday with a blowout 12 1/4-length win in the in the $100,000 Harry Henson Handicap. The one-mile race for fillies and mares was the first of seven stakes on what was the richest card of the meet. The races were worth a cumulative $1.6 million, and were highlighted by the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby.

Twelve Twenty Two ($4.40) stalked in third in the Harry Henson, settling behind Pick and Pray as she took the field through an opening quarter in 23.15 seconds and a half-mile in 46.07 while pushed along by Kayce Ace. Twelve Twenty Two moved up into the final turn under Luis Contreras, overtook the leaders through six furlongs in 1:09.81, and then pulled away in 1:35.12.

“It was just amazing,” trainer Henry Dominguez said of the performance from Twelve Twenty Two.

Twelve Twenty Two was claimed at Hollywood Park back in December 2010, then showed up at Sunland in January 2011. She has raced exclusively at the track since, with the exception of a start in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs last May.

“The way she ran today, we’ll probably go back to that race,” said Dominguez.

Twelve Twenty Two finished seventh in last year’s Distaff after difficult travels to Kentucky. There were no flights there from New Mexico at that time, and she ended up shipping to California then flying to Churchill Downs.

Twelve Twenty Two, who also won the Harry Henson last year, earned $60,000 for her repeat score Sunday. She has now won 8 of 14 starts and $290,356. Twelve Twenty Two is a 7-year-old mare by Kafwain and she races for J. Kirk and Judy Robison and Solitaire Stable.

Dominguez doubles up in Bill Thomas

A few races later, the Robisons, Solitaire Stable, Dominguez, and Contreras teamed to win the $100,000 Bill Thomas Memorial with Imco Spirit. The horse overtook the leaders in the stretch to win the 6 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up in 1:15.12.

Imco Spirit ($7.40) was cutting back from a mile for the Bill Thomas, and raced off the pace set by Pack Your Bags, who led through fractions of 21.96 for the opening quarter and 44.02 for the half-mile. Imco Spirit won by about 1 ½ lengths over Ribald, while it was another 1 ¼ lengths back in third to Quiet Again.

* Rose’s Desert ($3.60) powered past pacesetter Shemoves in the stretch en route to a 3 1/2-length win in the $110,000 La Coneja for New Mexico-bred fillies and mares. She covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.71. Casey Lambert was aboard for Joe Peacock and trainer Todd Fincher.

* Dashkova ($29.80) overtook 1-5 favorite Dawn Is Affirmed for a 2 1/2-length win in the $110,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Oaks. Jose Rivera Jr. was aboard for Double Kee LLC and trainer Dwain Grissom.

* That’s Who ($4.20) won his third consecutive stakes in the $110,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Derby, proving about two lengths best over I Do My Own Tricks. Ry Eikleberry rode the winner for Sam and Latane Stevens and trainer Joel Marr.