Poni Colada goes from first to last in Borderland Derby romp at Sunland Park
by Kenneth Strong of Predictem.com
Feb. 16, 2008 Favorite Poni Colada made quick work of four rivals in the $100,000 Borderland Derby at Sunland Park on Saturday to stamp himself as a prime contender in the $600,000 WinStar Derby on March 16.
Biding his time in last well back of fast early fractions of 22 3/5, 46 4/5, and 1:13 3/5 set by Mr. Golden Ruler, Poni Colada swept by that rival on the final turn and drew off as he pleased, getting the mile in 1:40 3/5 and stopping the timer in 1:47 1/5 for the mile and a sixteenth over a fast track.
The final margin of victory under jockey Alfredo Juarez was eight lengths over Cape Time, who rallied to take second by 1 lengths over second choice No Jepordy.
Trained by Steve Asmussen for Robert Zollars and Mark Wagner, the 3-year-old colt by Volponi-Coconut Willamina by Pleasant Colony, paid $5.40 to win and doubled his lifetime earnings to $123,366 from a record of 3-1-0 from seven starts including a victory in the Eddy County Stakes last November at Zia Park.
Borderland Derby Results and Payoffs
February 16, 2008 – Race 11 Sunland Park
4 Poni Colada $5.40 $3.00 $2.40
2 Cape Time $3.20 $2.20
5 No Jepordy $2.60
1 Capetown Royal
$1 Exacta 4-2 paid $12.80
$1 Trifecta 4-2-5 paid $33.10
$1 Superfecta 4-2-5-1 paid $55.90