Straight Up G wins the Mine That Bird Derby for owner Jim Rome

Straight Up G proved Sunday he could be a Kentucky Derby prospect with an impressive win in the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino. 

The 3-year-old, California-bred son of Straight Fire won his first race outside of California by leading wire to wire in defeating Bye Bye Bobby by three-quarters of a length in the 1 1/16th miles race. The winning time was 1:42.96. 

The Mine That Bird Derby is a prep race for the March 27 Sunland Derby, which has 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. 

"I thought he was great," winning owner and sports personality Jim Rome said. "We thought we'd come out and try some open competition and he measured up. We wanted to be up front. I'm proud of him. This is a career highlight, I'm deeply in love with this horse. This is deeply personal."

Straight Up G, who was the even money favorite and the 3-1 morning-line favorite, has won three of five starts and finished second in one other race. Ricardo Gonzalez was the winning jockey. 

The win adds $60,000 to the bankroll of Straight Up G, who now has lifetime earnings of more than $203,000.

"He breaks sharp all the time and has great natural speed," winning trainer Richard Baltas said. 

Baltas said the Sunland Derby is an option for Straight Up G. 

Bye Bye Bobby finished second for the second straight time in a Sunland Derby prep race for trainer Todd Fincher. He also finished second in the Riley Allison Derby. Classic Moment finished third behind Straight Up G and Bye Bye Bobby. 

Island Fashion Stakes 

Miss Hard Knocks earned her second straight big win at Sunland Park with a win in the $75,000 one mile Island Fashion Stakes, which is a prep race for the March 27 Sunland Oaks. Last month she won the Borderplex Stakes. 

"She's maturing all the time," said trainer Bart Hone of Miss Hard Knocks. "She ran a solid race and jockey Harry Hernandez did a good job of riding her. She's really coming along with each race."

Bred in Kentucky, Miss Hard Knocks broke her maiden on Jan. 17 at Turf Paradise.

Miss Hard Knocks, who left the starting gate at odds of 3-1, won the race in a time of 1:37.71. She has won three straight races, two of which have been at the Sunland Park track. 

Hone said the Sunland Oaks is the likely next race for Miss Hard Knocks. The Sunland Oaks also offers 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks on Kentucky Derby weekend. 

"She finished well once again," Hernandez said. "Miss Hard Knocks likes this track and has lots of heart. She has run well in both races here at Sunland and I'm excited to see where she goes from here."

Miss Hard Knocks finished 1 and 1/2 lengths in front of Manorelli. Landslid was third. 

Other stakes races 

• Sea Emperor won the $100,000 1 and 1/16th miles Albert and Henry Dominguez Memorial Handicap for older New Mexico breds. Jose R. Gonzalez was the winning trainer and Luis A. Fuentes was the winning jockey. Sea Emperor has won 11 of 27 career races and three in a row. Jet N G was second by a neck and Cheese Tray was third.

Sea Emperor has won seven of nine career starts at Sunland Park. 

• Jet Set Warrior won the one mile, Red Hedeman Mile for older New Mexico-bred horses. Jet Set Warrior rallied from off the pace to win by a neck over Massive Roar. Diabolical Storm was third. 

Joel Marr was the winning trainer and Miguel Fuentes, Jr. was the winning jockey. Jet Set Warrior, who won the race in a time of 1:38.78, has won six of seven career races. 

Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.