Tornados Jack takes Pepsi Cola

Sunland Park, N. M. - On November 30 trainer Fred Danley brought Tornados Jack off a a two month layoff to win the Red Hedeman Mile and now he's done it again. This time he sent Gulchrunssweet out to win Saturday's $125,000-added Pepsi Cola Handicap after four months on the sidelines.

Gulchrunssweet pressed the early pace of Stormy Lane around the turn under Adan Fuentes, took over from that rival entering the stretch and was hard-ridden through the drive to maintain the advantage, covering the six furlongs in 1:09.55. Gulchrunssweet was slightly erratic in the stretch and had to overcome an objection by Todd Fincher, trainer of third place finisher Bubba Hyde, that was denied by the stewards. Part of a three horse entry which included Tornados Jack, Gulchrunssweet returned $5.40. Tornados Jack had not run since the Hedeman and finished a non-threatening sixth.

The Pepsi Cola, restricted to New Mexico-breds, was just the second win for Gulchrunssweet, a Dry Gulch gelding bred by his owner, William T. Stradley. Gulchrunssweet now has a career record of 7-2-1-2 and the $79,620 he earned Saturday gives him a bankroll of $92,701.