Wind Water successfully defended his title in the $50,000 Bill Thomas Memorial Handicap on Saturday afternoon at Sunland Park, rallying from just off the pace under Ken Tohill. Quiet Again also turned in a late run and reported home a length back in second followed by early pacesetter Happy Humor. "I knew he was a go when we worked him the other morning," Tohill said following the race. "He tracked really well down the backstretch today and he responded when I asked him." Trained by Chris Hartman, Wind Water ($4.80) covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.14 over a fast track and improved his long and illustrious career record to 19-8-10 from 51 starts. The 7-year-old California-bred son of Bold Badgett has now earned more than $765,000.