Thunder Dome wins New Mexico Cup Classic a second time; Summers, Sterling take three stakes

Thunder Dome won the New Mexico Cup Classic for the second time in his career Wednesday at Zia Park, darting home in front by 4 1/4 lengths over Shining Source.

The race was one of eight New Mexico-bred Thoroughbred stakes on the card as part of the annual New Mexico Cup. The $50,000 purses of the stakes were reduced this year as Zia has been unable to operate its casino since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Thunder Dome ($4.60) last won the Rocky Gulch Classic in 2018, when it had a purse of $180,000. On Wednesday, he was prominent through fractions of 46.72 for the half-mile and 1:10.14 for six furlongs. He went on to cover the mile distance on a fast track in 1:35.10. The chart of the race stated the time was a new track record. Shane Laviolette was aboard for trainer Dallas Barton.

Thunder Dome is a 6-year-old son of Dome. He has now won 11 of 39 starts and earned $665,073. He races for the partnership of W.D. Carson, Sr., M.H. Carson, and Leach Racing.

Triple for Nancy Summers, Duane Sterling

Trainer Nancy Summers and jockey Duane Sterling won three stakes on the card. They struck early, taking the Distaff Sprint with Mindofmyown. She fought for a half-length win over Pink Sky in the first of the stakes on the program.

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Mindofmyown ($4) covered six furlongs in 1:08.15. A daughter of Diligent Prospect, she races for Wesley Gray.

Summers and Sterling next accounted for the Lassie with Line Call ($17.80). She was a 2 1/4-length winner over Sassy Gal It was another three-quarters of a length back in third to 1-2 favorite Comic Hot Toddy.

Line Call covered six furlongs in 1:09.20. She is a daughter of Chipshot and races for Margaret Bloss.

The final winner on the card for Summers and Sterling came in the Derby with another Bloss-owned runner, Lariat. He led throughout for a 4 1/4-length win over West Dawn. Lariat ($6.40) covered six furlongs in a sharp 1:07.70. He is a son of Southwestern Heat.

In other results:

* Sexy Bikini Model ($38.20) led throughout for a three-quarter-length win over Short Pockets in the Peppers Pride Filly and Mare Championship. She covered the mile in 1:36.92. Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez was aboard Sexy Bikini Model. She is a daughter of Attila’s Storm and she races for her breeder, Brian Mundell and is trained by Bart Hone.

* Wheredoesthecashgo ($3.60) was always prominent for 2 1/4- length win over Golden Band in the Sprint. The winner covered six furlongs in a sharp 1:07.77. Miguel Perez was aboard the son of Southwestern Heat for trainer Andres Gonzalez. Wheredoesthecashgo races for Amanda Sweeten and Pablo Hernandez.

* Champ Spirit ($10) remained unbeaten in two starts when he wired the field in the Juvenile, cruising home by 3 1/2 lengths over Sarge. He covered six furlongs in 1:09.68. Champ Spirit is a son of Shame On Charlie who races for Marina Velazquez and is trained by Rafael Barraza. He was ridden by Luis Rodriguez.

* Count Them Again ($2.80) won her third consecutive race when she led throughout for a 3 1/2-length victory over Fritzies Flame in the Oaks. She covered six furlongs in 1:08.33. Frank Reyes was aboard for trainer Jaime Fuentes. Count Them Again is a daughter of Premeditation who has now won 7 of 10 starts. She races for Lola Cuellar and Alexandria Cuellar.