Zia Park Derby: For Cash gets up late to pull upset

For Cash had one horse beat early on in the $200,000 Zia Park Derby on Wednesday, but by the time the field hit the wire he was a half-length in front to register the biggest win of his career. Carve held second in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds, while it was another nose back in third to I Stand Alone.

Broadway Empire, the 2-5 favorite following a start in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, was ninth. Broadway Empire was pulled up and was found to have a quarter crack in one of his hooves, said his trainer, Robertino Diodoro.

For Cash ($34.60) invaded from Northlands Park, where in two stakes earlier this season he had finished behind Broadway Empire. But the stage was his on Wednesday, when he sat patiently behind a wall of horses approaching the stretch, came five wide into the lane, and drove home to cover the distance on a track rated fast in 1:45.17.

Aldo Arboleda was aboard for owner Lyle Farkash and trainer Dale Greenwood.

The Zia Derby was the second stakes win for For Cash, who won the $50,000 Beaufort at Northlands in September. He picked up $120,000 for the victory, his fourth from 11 starts. For Cash is a gelding by Stephen Got Even and he was bred in Alberta, Canada, by Farkash and Phylis Farkash.

The Zia Derby was one of seven stakes on Wednesday’s card. The races were scheduled for last weekend, but a winter blast forced them to be moved to Wednesday. The program was led by the inaugural $300,000 Zia Park Oaks, which was won wire to wire by Unusual Way ($6.80).

Fillies rule in Eddy County

The 9-1 Lady Genius led a fillies exacta in the $140,000 Eddy County for 2-year-olds, winning the one-mile race by 4 1/4 lengths over 1-5 favorite That’s the Idea. The field for the stakes, restricted to New Mexico-breds, was scratched down to four horses.

Reaper led the field from the fence through six furlongs in 1:12.37 before being overtaken by That’s the Idea, who was soon collared by Lady Genius.

Lady Genius covered the distance in 1:41.88 and paid $21.80. Carlos Madeira was aboard for trainer Dallas Barton. Lady Genius is a daughter of Quinton’s Gold and she races for W.D. Carson Sr., M.H. Carson, and Leach Racing.

Berth to Champion of Champions

Dm Streakin Thru Fire earned the final berth into the Grade 1, $750,000 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos when he won the Grade 1, $150,000 Zia Park Distance Championship for Quarter Horses by a neck. Feature Mr Bojangles was second, while 4-5 favorite Prospect to the Top finished seventh while chasing his fifth straight win Wednesday.

Dm Streakin Thru Fire covered the 440 yards in 21.81 seconds and paid $56. L. Salvador Martinez was aboard for trainer Michael Joiner. Dm Streakin Thru Fire, who was second in last year’s Distance Championship, races for Richard Sturdevant, Terry Wootan, and Joe David Yates. The Champion of Champions will be run on Dec. 14.

* Aful Alibi, a former claiming horse, held off Get Down Bambi for a head win in the $140,000 New Mexico Fillies and Mares Championship for Quarter Horses. Aful Alibi paid $23.40. Hector Aldrete was aboard for owner Joel Valera Sr. and trainer Gabino Carillo. Aful Alibi was returning to racing with fillies and mares after a third-place finish against males in the Grade 3 New Mexico Breeders’ Championship at the Downs at Albuquerque.

* Wine Thief won her third straight race when she scooted clear late for a four-length victory over Joyful Tap in the $55,000 Zia Park Distaff. Wine Thief ($15) covered the six-furlong race for fillies and mares in 1:10.31. Ry Eikleberry was aboard for SEJ Stables and trainer Justin Evans.