Dave’s Enchantment tops track record winning Mt. Cristo Rey Stakes
SUNLAND PARK – Dave’s Enchantment, with Francisco Amparan in the irons, rallied from behind a quick pace and stormed home to capture the 20th running of the $80,000 Mt Cristo Rey Stakes on Sunday at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
Trained by Alberto Amparan for owner Allen J. Kincaid, Dave’s Enchantment was far behind a fast pace, with dueling leaders Leave Them Behind and Blooming Resource setting a quick tempo. Prohibitive post time favorite Mojica rallied three-wide around the far turn and appeared to take command at the top of the lane under Jose Vazquez.
Francisco Amparan found another gear under Dave’s Enchantment, who wore down Mojica in the final yards to win by a neck. The final time of 1 minute, 1.59 seconds eclipsed the track record for 5 1/2 furlongs, set in 2008 by Fearless Anthony of 1:01.62.
Dave’s Enchantment, a 6-year-old New Mexico-bred son of Attila’s Storm, picked up his sixth win from 21 career starts. He was a well-beaten fifth in the Jamison Memorial Stakes here on Feb. 9. Dave’s Enchantment earned his first stakes win since capturing the 2024 O.D. McDonald at Albuquerque Downs. His win in the Mt. Cristo Rey Stakes brings his career earnings to more than $221,000.
Sent off at odds of more than 9-to-1, Dave’s Enchantment returned $21.60 to his winning backers. The $2 exacta with Mojica paid back $26. Leave Them Behind finished third with Holy Rebel rounding out the top four finishers.