Perfect Flight Lands First Stakes Win in Zia Park Derby

Perfect Flight  came home with his first stakes win Nov. 22 at Zia Park when closing out the rest of the six-horse field in the Zia Park Derby.

Trained by Peter Miller, the 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo   broke slowly and trailed in :24.19 with Great Escape  and Apprehend  showing the way over the fast dirt track. Through fractions of :48.68 and 1:12.42, the bay colt moved into third but gained quickly on the frontrunners, going three wide to take the lead as they headed into the stretch.

Under Ricardo Santana Jr., the colt held on to take the 1 1/16-mile event by 2 3/4 lengths in a time of 1:42.31. Apprehend was second and Great Escape finished third.

Perfect Flight ($11.40) improved to 3-2-1 from nine starts while his earnings increased to $297,670 for owner Gary Barber.

The colt was bred in Kentucky by Siena Farms out of the Bernardini  mare Date to Remember, who has six winners from six foals to race, including grade 3 winner National Flag  and grade 1-placed Bernina Star .

Perfect Flight was a $160,000 purchase by Bluewater Sales from the ELiTE consignment to the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale.

Also on the card was the Zia Park Oaks, which Santana won on Bella Runner , a 3-year-old daughter of Gun Runner   trained by Steve Asmussen for Three Chimneys Farm. She won by four lengths and paid $4.40 after going 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.13.