Sunscreen, McWend, Shining Source win stakes for New Mexico-breds

Casey Lambert and Miguel Hernandez, a pair of retired jockeys who launched training careers, locked up the 3-year-old stakes for New Mexico-breds on the Sunland Park Derby undercard Sunday.

Lambert struck first in the $100,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Derby when Sunscreen ($5.60) closed from next to last to win the 1 1/16-mile race on a fast track in a hand-timed 1:42.61. He won by 1 1/2 lengths over Quite Peace.

Ry Eikleberry rode Sunscreen, a son of Southwestern Heat who races for his breeder, R.D. Hubbard, and Shaun Hubbard.

Hernandez hit the winner’s circle one race later with McWend ($12), who captured the $100,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Oaks by a length over Let It Roll. Elvin Gonzalez was aboard the winner for Judge Lanier Racing.

McWend was squeezed back in the early stages as Shesa Gold Digger set fractions of 23.53 seconds for the opening quarter and 48.23 for the half-mile. McWend advanced three wide on the final turn, came five wide into the stretch and charged home to finish the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:44.76. She is a daughter of McKenna’s Justice and was bred by McKenna’s Thoroughbreds.

Lambert and Hernandez both rode in New Mexico, among other locales, and now have stables based at Sunland Park.

Shining Source ($13.60) picked up the 12th win of his career in the $100,000 New Mexico State University Handicap. He was a 2 1/2-length winner over Go for a Stroll after tracking fractions of 23.71 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.24 for the half-mile and 1:11.38 for six furlongs. Shining Source covered the one mile and 70 yards in 1:39.74.

Luis Contreras was aboard for trainer Blake Rust, who co-owns Shining Source with Barton Ranch. Shining Source is a son of Source.

The three stakes for New Mexico-breds began the stakes action Sunday. Overall, there were seven stakes worth $1.5 million on the most significant program of the meet at Sunland.