Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino
Friday, February 15, 2019
by Eric Alwan
Jess Bein The Hero is top qualifier for $128,500 West Texas Maturity
Jess Bein The Hero, runner-up in the $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park (Grade 1), was the fastest qualifier for the $128,500 West Texas Maturity after four trials held at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Friday.
The six-year-old Valiant Hero stallion won his highly competitive 400 yard trial by a half-length and was timed in a fast 19.007 seconds. The supplemental nominee ridden by Manuel Gutierrez won for the 11th time in 16 starts and earned a 104 speed index. The multiple stakes winner won the Sam Houston Challenge Championship last April 21 at Sam Houston Race Park. On Dec. 30, the superb Quarter Horse was second only beaten a length to Jessies First Down in the 2018 Championship at Sunland Park. Jess Bein The Hero has earned nearly $272,000.
Hobbs America Derby winner Believe Me Irene (*16 Yearling Sale Graduate) ran a great race to win the 4th race. She rocketed to victory in a time of 19.023 seconds. Alonso Rivera was the winning pilot.
Here is the complete list of qualifiers for the finale: Jess Bein the Hero, 19.007; Believe Me Irene (16 Yearling Graduate), 19.023; Ebw Gypsy, 19.047; Jacky Martin 21 (*16 Yearling Graduate), 19.067; Walcott (*17 Winter Mixed Graduate), 19.082, Bobby Elvis (*17 Fall Mixed Graduate), 19.115, Papaws Paint, 19.155; Commander N Chief B, 19.196; Secretzzoom, 19.206 and Boogies Special Dash, 19.212. The finale will be run on Saturday, March 9.