- Lisa Dominguez / Coady Photography

Spinning Touch upsets field in $120,000 New Mexico State University Handicap

Sunland Park, NM - March 20, 2011 - Spinning Touch came through with a stirring stretch drive to win the $120,000 New Mexico State University Handicap at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Sunday.

Dismissed at over 24-1 odds, the former Albuquerque stakes winner outran his odds in a big way to notch his first Sunland Park stakes title. Under jockey Freddy Fong, the capable stretch runner found his best strides in the final 3 furlongs and proved too much for his rivals. Spinning Touch took the lead passing quarter mile marker and was full of energy through the stretch run. He finished up 2 and ¼ lengths in front of Silver Matthais to win the one mile and 70 yard feature for New Mexico-breds.

The victory was the first for Spinning Touch since upsetting Train Rider Blues in the New Mexico State Fair Breeders’ Derby last fall. Spinning Touch gained the third win of his career and paid a generous $51.40 on a $2 win ticket. Winning owner Michael Fuhs picked up a $72,000 paycheck. Spinning Touch doubled his career earnings to over $143,000. The winning time was a good 1:42.12.

Silver Matthais closed well to get second after a wide journey. The runner-up earned $25,800 for owner Cody Kelley of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Lefty Who finished a neck back in third place. The durable stakes horse made a solid middle move but flattened in the drive.

Desert Gamble raced as the 2-1 favorite coming off two straight wins including the $100,000 Albert Dominguez Memorial. He failed to muster a strong rally and wound up fifth.

Live racing resumes on Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. Sunland Park’s biggest day happens on Sunday, March 27 with the $800,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III). Over $1.5 million in purses will be on the line for the all-Thoroughbred 13-race program.