K P Wildcat Shines in Sunland's Racing Return

A bobbled start was only a minor setback for Karl Pergola's K P Wildcat in the $75,000 Island Fashion Overnight Stakes at Sunland Park Feb. 26, the track's first day of racing in more than a month.



Last in the six-filly field early, 10 lengths behind leader Mc Hottie through a half-mile of the local prep for the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks (gr. III), the undefeated daugher of Include   cut the deficit to 4 1/2 lengths after six furlongs, blew past her rivals in the final turn, and drew off to win by 7 3/4 lengths.



K P Wildcat finished off the mile in 1:39.46 under jockey Ry Eikleberry and paid $2.40 to win as the commanding 1-5 favorite. It was her first stakes wins following similarly impressive scores to break her maiden (four lengths at Zia Park Oct. 4) and at the allowance level (11 lengths at Sunland Jan. 1). She now has a three-for-three record with $75,660 in earnings for trainer Weston Martin. She was a $40,000 purchase from the  2015 Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s June 2-year-olds in training sale.



Sunland last raced Jan. 22, but halted its meet because of an equine herpesvirus outbreak. Although the virus hasn't been eliminated from Sunland's grounds, the New Mexico track's management decided to return to racing earlier in February.



NOVAK: Sunland Hopes to Race Feb. 26 Despite EHV-1



Also on the Friday card, Eikleberry closed from eighth aboard Concord Fast to win the $100,000 Mine That Bird Overnight Stakes, a local prep for the $800,000 Sunland Derby (gr. III), by four lengths.