Thunder Dome taking third swing at Land of Enchantment Handicap

Trainer Dallas Barton is hoping the third time is the charm with Thunder Dome in the $50,000 Land of Enchantment Handicap on Sunday at Ruidoso Downs.

Thunder Dome was third in the 7 1/2-furlong race for New Mexico-breds last year and in 2018 was second by a neck. He’s the 125-pound highweight for his third appearance in the race Sunday.

“Hopefully, it’s our turn,” Barton said. “I hope it is.”

The seven-horse field includes the 3-year-old Ancient Land, a multiple stakes winner making his first start against older horses Sunday.

There are a total of seven stakes on the card. The Land of Enchantment is one of four for Thoroughbreds. The offerings for Quarter Horses include the $392,547 Zia Futurity in which Vine Master seeks to improve his record to 4 for 4.

The races are all restricted to horses bred in New Mexico.

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Thunder Dome has been one of the state’s top runners for years and leads the Land of Enchantment field in earnings with $570,873. The closer is looking for his fifth stakes win. His previous victories include the New Mexico Cup Classic at Zia Park.

“He just grinds it out every time,” Barton said. “He’s a hard-knocking horse.”

Thunder Dome has won nine races and finished second in 11 others in 36 career races. He will be making his first start since February on Sunday.

“He’s doing fine, training well,” Barton said. “I like the 7 1/2-furlong distance first out back.”

Shane Laviolette has the mount from post 5.

Thunder Dome, a 6-year-old son of Dome, races for the partnership of W.D. Carson Sr., M.H. Carson Jr., and Leach Racing.

The same ownership group and Barton will team up later on the card in the $50,000 Lincoln Handicap with Orogrande. The six-furlong race for fillies and mares drew a field of 12. The race will be the first for leading contender Orogrande since February.

“She’s training really well,” Barton said.

He added that much like Thunder Dome, he would have ideally liked Orogrande to have had a prep race before Sunday.

“It’s been kind of difficult through the pandemic stuff,” he said. “We’ve turned horses out, brought horses back up.

“We’re all in the same boat.”

Effort N Results makes his first start since February in the $50,000 Road Runner for 3-year-olds over 5 1/2 furlongs. In his last start, he won the $100,000 Red Hedeman Mile at Sunland Park.

The $50,000 Sierra Blanca for 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs is led by Rig Time, who is making his first start since February.