Mojica cruises in $80,000 Jamison Memorial Stakes
SUNLAND PARK — Mojica picked up his third straight win Monday, opening up in the lane under jockey Jose Vazquez to score a dominant victory in the 23rd edition of the $80,000 Jamison Memorial Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
The 4-year-old New Mexico-bred son of Marking, owned and bred by Don Apodaca, went to the lead shortly after the start of the 6 1/2-furlong event, dueling with Probate through an opening half-mile timed in 44.66 seconds. Mojica edged clear of that rival turning for home and found another gear inside the final furlong, crossing the wire six lengths ahead of the field in 1 minute, 15.29 seconds.
Trained by Filiberto Quiroz, Mojica has won six times in nine career starts. He recorded stakes victories last year in the New Mexico Classic Derby at Zia Park, the Casino at the Downs Derby at Albuquerque Downs and the Kendrick Memorial Stakes at SunRay Park. The win in the Jamison is his second stakes win at Sunland Park; he won the Red Hedeman Mile at the track last winter.
Mojica has now won four times in five starts at Sunland Park.
The lion’s share of the Jamison Memorial purse increases Mojica’s lifetime earnings to nearly $330,000.
Sent off as the 1-5 favorite, Mojica returned $2.40 to win. The $2 exacta with Marking Canyon returned $11.80. Holy Hank ran on late for third, and Antonios Mark finished fourth.