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Downs at Albuquerque TV

Working his way from near the back of the pack, Mine That Star made his move through the second turn and split two rivals in the deep
stretch on the way to a 1 3/4-length win Sunday in the black-type $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap, a 1 1/8-mile dirt race for 3-year-olds and up.

A 7-year-old Pioneerof the Nile entire owned by Judge Lanier
Racing and trained by Dick Cappellucci, Mine That Star (2-1) won for the second
time in a row. Last month he prevailed by a head in the seven-furlong, $70,000 Special
Stakes at Albuquerque, where he has won five times in nine starts.

Click here for Downs at Albuquerque entries and results.

Ridden by Alfredo Juárez Jr., Mine That Star spotted pacesetting
Shotshell (8-1) as many as 7 1/2 lengths while early fractions were clocked at
23.82, 47.34 and 1:11.73. Going four wide in the second turn, Juárez was
scrubbing, and Mine That Star responded.

Post-time favorite Unload (7-5), who carried the top weight
of 123 pounds, overtook fading Shotshell and held the lead with a furlong to
go. But Mine That Star threaded the needle between him and deep-closing Bender
(7-1), taking the lead inside the eighth pole and ran on the win.

Bender finished second, a half-length better than Unload.
Henry on the Run (32-1) was another 7 1/4 lengths up the track in fourth
followed in order by Truth Seeker (16-1), Giant Game (9-2) and Shotshell.

The winning time on the fast track was 1:50.23 after early fractions
of 23.82, 47.34, 1:12.73 and 1:36.89.

Mine That Star returned $6.00, $2.80 and $2:40; Bender $3.80
and $3.60 and Unload $2.40.

The race was postponed eight days after persistent rain last
week left the course unsafe for racing last Saturday. The track wrapped up its
season Sunday.