Mine That Bird Stakes goes to Proceed

Sunland Park, NM (SportsNetwork.com) – Post-time favorite Proceed pulled away down the stretch to capture Saturday’s $120,000 Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park.

The 1 1/16-mile Mine That Bird is the local prep race for the $800,000 Sunland Derby on March 23.

Mine That Bird, 50-1 longshot winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby, returned to Sunland Park to lead the post parade for the race that now bears his name.

Trained by Joel Marr and ridden by Alfredo Juarez Jr., 13-10 top pick Proceed came from off the pace to take the lead at the top of the stretch and go on to register a two-length win over 3-2 second pick Rebranded.

Getting third was 48-1 longshot Ima Happy Strike followed by Alex in Motion, D E Lover, Alsono, Got Your Back and Postor. Lawly’s Goal and Cloud Harbor were scratched. Lawly’s Goal finished second Saturday in the Turf Paradise Derby.

The time for the race was 1:42.47 on a fast track.

Owned by Michael Stinson, Proceed is now perfect in three career starts. Saturday’s win was worth $72,000 to bring the colt’s bankroll to $140,040.

Proceed won his debut race at Zia Park last November and followed by claiming Sunland’s $85,000 Red Hedeman Mile on Dec. 28.

Proceed returned $4.60, $2.80 and $2.40. Rebranded paid $2.80 and $2.40, and Ima Happy Strike paid $8.60 to show.

Categorized in: Horses