Zia Park: Imco Spirit breaks six-furlong track record in Premiere Cup upset

Imco Spirit set a Zia Park track record Sunday, when he won the $100,000 Premiere Cup Handicap in a blazing 1:07.13 for six furlongs, easily erasing the previous record of 1:08.60. He won by four lengths over 2-5 favorite Native Ruler, while it was another neck back in third to Pack Your Bags.

The Premiere was the first stakes of the Zia Park meet that opened Saturday in Hobbs, N.M.

Imco Spirit ($20) settled in fourth early, as Tactful, Bonndaddy’s , and Pack Your Bags vied for the lead through an opening quarter in 21.73 seconds, and a half-mile in 43.51. Imco Spirit advanced around the final turn, came four-wide into the stretch, then pulled away in his first start since April.

Miguel Perez rode Imco Spirit for trainer Henry Dominguez. The horse, who races for the partnership of Judy and Kirk Robison and Solitaire Stable, was picking up his second career stakes win in the Premiere. He earned $59,400 for the win, which was his fifth from 19 starts. Imco Spirit now has career earnings of $268,807.