- Lisa Dominguez / Coady Photography

Jenuine Joy wins $100,000 Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap

Sunland Park, NM - March 13, 2011 - The classy mare Jenuine Joy steamrolled her male opponents with a sterling victory in the $100,000 Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Sunday.

Fresh off a big win in the $120,000 Lou Wooten Handicap last December, Jenuine Joy was ready to roll in the 350 yard stakes race for New Mexico-bred Quarter Horses. The five-year-old mare grey daughter of Genuine Strawfly blasted away from the gates under jockey Larry Payne and was prominent early in the dash. She throttled up to the front in deep stretch and gained a commanding edge to win by one-half length. The winning time was a sharp 16.763 seconds, good for a 104 speed index.

Payne said in the winner’s circle, “She always does her job and performs so well. I was a little concerned running against the boys. She broke really hard and was very strong at the end of it.”

Trainer Carl Draper’s star mare capped off her sixth career win from eight starts. The powerful mare has won six of her last seven starts and defeated colts and gelding in four races. She earned a $60,000 paycheck for owner Fredda Draper of Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico. The 9-1 shot paid a healthy $20.80 to win.

Corona Memory Crest placed in his second Sunland Park stakes this meet. The hard charging son of Corona Caliente finished second along the rail with jockey Alejandro Medellin. Corona Memory Crest finished a close third in the Jess Burner Memorial Handicap last December. He earned $21,000 for Desiree Mooring and Ramon Gonzalez, Jr.

One Diamond Kitty went off as the 3-2 favorite under jockey Freddie Martinez. The Jess Burner Memorial winner was restless in the gate before the start. He tried his best after breaking a bit slowly. He drifted out down the lane and remained in third place, beaten one length.

Dueling Juan, A First Caller, Here Kittykittykitty, Cp Lawman, Miracle Snow, Tecate N Lyme and In Famous Caper rounded out the order of finish.

Live racing resumes on Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. The $800,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) is less than two weeks away. Sunland Park’s biggest day happens on Sunday, March 27 with over $1.5 million in purses.