Thunder Dome surges in stretch to win Rocky Gulch

Thunder Dome unleashed a big move on the final turn and roared home for a 3 1/4-length win over Shining Source in the $180,000 Rocky Gulch during the $1.8 million New Mexico Cup card Sunday at Zia Park.

The race was the richest of eight stakes for Thoroughbreds. There also were four stakes for Quarter Horses. All were restricted to horses bred in New Mexico. The program was the richest of the meet at Zia.

Thunder Dome ($4.80) was content to let the pace go as Kris Who put up fractions of 23.43 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.67 for the half-mile. Thunder Dome put in his bid on the final turn, came wide into the stretch, then took command. He covered the mile for 3-year-olds and up on a fast track in 1:37.17.

Alfredo Juarez Jr., was aboard for trainer Dallas Barton.

Thunder Dome is a son of Dome who races for the partnership of W.D. Carson Sr., M.H. Carson, and Leach Racing.

Thunder Dome came into the Rocky Gulch off a Zia allowance win over Go for a Stroll, who finished third Sunday.

Peppers Pride win for Marr

Movin On wired the field in the $170,000 Peppers Pride, darting to a 1 1/2-length win over 57-1 shot To Satisfy You. The winner is trained by Joel Marr, who also conditioned the race’s namesake, an undefeated New Mexico-bred millionaire who went 19 for 19.

Movin On ($20.80) set fractions of 23.85 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.24 for the half-mile, and 1:11.60 for six furlongs before covering the mile for fillies and mares in 1:38.14.

Tracy Hebert was aboard the winner for Donnell Echols, who also bred Movin On. The winner is a 3-year-old daughter of Indian Firewater.

Explosive Spy, the even-money favorite who was looking for her fourth straight win, closed for sixth in the field of 12.

D E Lover best in $170,000 Sprint

D E Lover ($9.80) stalked and pounced for a three-quarter-length victory over 4-5 favorite Diabolical Gator in the $170,000 Sprint. The winner stalked fractions of 21.52 seconds for the opening quarter and 43.90 for the half-mile before covering the six-furlong distance in 1:09.18. Shane Laviolette was aboard the son of So Long Birdie for the partnership of Leroy Martinez and trainer Tony Sedillo.

* Roll On Matilda ($5) handed African Heat the first defeat of her three-race career when she won by 5 3/4 lengths in the $140,000 Lassie. The winner covered six furlongs for 2-year-old fillies in 1:09.38. Roimes Chirinos was aboard for trainer Todd Fincher. Raymond Gilder owns Roll On Matilda, a daughter of Roll Hennessy Roll.

* Diabolical Ruler ($24.60) won the $140,000 Juvenile on the front end, by three-quarters of a length over Amor N Pasion. The winner covered six furlongs for 2-year-olds in 1:09.99. Alfredo Juarez Jr., was aboard for trainer Henry Dominguez. J.Kirk and Judy Robison bred and own Diabolical Ruler, who is a son of Diabolical.

* Blazing Navarone ($29) took down the fourth stakes win of his career when he was up for a neck victory over Golden Band in the $140,000 Derby. The winner covered six furlongs in 1:09.34. Ry Eikleberry was aboard Blazing Navarone, a son of Song of Navarone who races for the partnership of George Coleman and trainer Henry Dominguez.

* Susans Violette ($7.60) wired the field in the $140,000 Oaks, winning by three-quarters of a length over 4-5 favorite Fast Gator. The winner covered six furlongs in 1:10.10. Enrique Gomez was aboard Susans Violette for the partnership of Steven Stewart and trainer Chip Woolley. The winner is a daughter of Stellar Rain.

* Bryn’s Fancy Pants ($12.20) closed from last for a 1 1/4-length win over Orogrande in the $140,000 Distaff Sprint. She covered six furlongs for fillies and mares in 1:09.20. Chirinos was aboard for Fincher. Bryn’s Fancy Pants is a daughter of Southwestern Heat who races for Dale Taylor Racing, Carey Taylor, and Jon Hogg.