Jrc Callas First Leads Field in the Championship at Sunland Park
Reigning AQHA world champion Jrc Callas First headlines the field in the $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park (G1) on Sunday, December 27.
The Texas-bred son of Winners Award, co-owned by trainer Brian Stroud and his wife, Dana, earned his berth into the 400 yard stakes off his victory in the 2015 Zia Park Championship (G1). Jrc Callas First ran fourth in last year's edition of the stakes, but his connections look for a better result on Sunday.
"He broke a little tardy last year," Stroud commented. "This year he is breaking a whole lot better; we took the flipping rig away and it's made a difference."
Regular rider Damian Martinez will be aboard the bay gelding, who will make his 25th career start at Sunland. He has won 15 races to date with career earnings of $479,931.
His nine rivals include Mad About the Moon, runner-up in the 2014 All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs; Hobbs America Futurity champion, Takiana Romanova; Jess Featureme Quick, runner-up in the Sunland Championship Challenge and Zoomin Effortlessly, who has won five in a row, including the Refrigerator Handicap at Lone Star Park
The Texas-bred son of Winners Award, co-owned by trainer Brian Stroud and his wife, Dana, earned his berth into the 400 yard stakes off his victory in the 2015 Zia Park Championship (G1). Jrc Callas First ran fourth in last year's edition of the stakes, but his connections look for a better result on Sunday.
"He broke a little tardy last year," Stroud commented. "This year he is breaking a whole lot better; we took the flipping rig away and it's made a difference."
Regular rider Damian Martinez will be aboard the bay gelding, who will make his 25th career start at Sunland. He has won 15 races to date with career earnings of $479,931.
His nine rivals include Mad About the Moon, runner-up in the 2014 All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs; Hobbs America Futurity champion, Takiana Romanova; Jess Featureme Quick, runner-up in the Sunland Championship Challenge and Zoomin Effortlessly, who has won five in a row, including the Refrigerator Handicap at Lone Star Park
Jrc Callas First runs Sunday in the $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park
in October.
Past winners of the Championship at Sunland Park include A Ransom, Streakin Sin Tacha, First Moonflash, Cold Cash 123 and Prospect to the Top.
Sunland will also present two additional stakes on Sunday. Heritage Place champion, Bv Midnight Express headlines the field in the inaugural $250,000 Sunland Park Juvenile Championship. Fillies and mares will compete in the 400 yard $85,000 Lou Wooten & Sydney Valentini Handicap.
The 72-day live racing season at Sunland Park continues through April 19, 2016. For more information on post times and special events, visit www.sunland-park.com/racing.
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