It wasn't thunder we heard on Sunday afternoon at Hollywood Park. We heard cheers, silence, and then more cheers. Mesa Thunder ran a terrific race to dead heat for the win with Our Shorty. When a win photo is that close, you can't help but think "I just won." But then the track goes silent, as anxious bettors grip their tickets and speculate, "I think the 4 got up." "No, it was the inside horse."

The silence turned to cheers for the West Point team when we realized neither horse lost the bob, but rather they were both winners!

Mesa Thunder broke very alertly and assumed a comfortable stalking position down the backside. He came up to challenge horses at the quarter and stuck his nose in front. Our Shorty was very game on the rail, and the duo slugged it out to the wire to dead head for the win.

They were 2 1/4 lengths ahead of the third place finished. The final time for the 6 furlongs was a solid 1.:10.00.

Click here for a pdf race chart and running line.  

Trainer Craig Dollase said, "This colt has been training very well, and I thought he would run well today. He showed a lot of heart in the lane. I am proud of him. We are going to have some fun with him at Del Mar."

Jockey Tyler Baze said, "My horse relaxed nicely down the backside, and then when I asked him at the quarter pole we shot right up there. He fought all the way to the wire."

Mesa Thunder earned $17,200 for the win. He has two wins from six career starts, and has hit the board in four of those starts. Look for this hard trying colt to run back at Del Mar in August. Congratulations to his partners!