A one-time $5,000 claimer, Martin Orona’s BRT Opulence scored a wire-to-wire, 1 ½-length win in the $75,000 New Mexico Horsemen’s Association Handicap (R) at SunRay Park on Sunday.

BRT Opulence went 870 yards in :44.473 and posted a 102 speed index under jockey J. Martin Bourdieu. The victory was his seventh in 27 starts and first stakes score.

“I had a great trip,” said Bourdieu. “We broke with the 4 (Key’s Band [TB]) and 6 (Heza Bold Color), and we were able to open up a little down the backstretch. I gave him a little breather at the head of the stretch, and then he was able to kick it up again.

“Martin has done a great job with this horse,” added the rider. “Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a long winning streak for him.”

BRT Opulence ran seventh, 8 ½ lengths behind winner Dash Of Dene, in last year’s NMHA Handicap.

“I think we did a better job of getting him ready for this year’s race,” said Orona, who also trains the sorrel 6-year-old gelding by Real Runaway. “I’m not sure when he’ll race next, but we’ll weight our options and see what’s next for him. We’re going to take our time with him.”

BRT Opulence was bred by Dr. Bob Story and Ryan Story, and the gelding became the ninth stakes winner from 94 starters sired by Real Runaway, a winning son of the Beduino (TB) stallion Runaway Winner who ran third in champion Uncas’ 1997 Los Alamitos Derby (G1). To date, Real Runaway has sired the earners of more than $4.2 million from seven crops, including Arealstraitheart, a New Mexico-bred gelding who won three graded stakes from 2005-06, including the 2006 All American Derby (G1) at Ruidoso Downs, and ran second in champion Teller Cartel’s ’05 All American Futurity (G1). Real Runaway died in 2005.

A full brother to Im Off N Runnin, a gelding who ran third in the 2008 New Mexico Breeders’ Futurity (RG2), BRT Opulence is one of four winners from as many starters produced by the unraced Meter Me Gone mare La Vita E Bella. Now 11, La Vita E Bella is a half sister to 2007 AQHA Texas Challenge (G1) winner Ride With The King and ’03 TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1) runner-up Doin It Jess For Fun.

BRT Opulence’s second dam, the winning On A High mare High Cotton Doll, was a finalist in the 1991 Dash For Cash Futurity (G1) at Los Alamitos. The gelding’s third dam, the winning and stakes-placed Reb’s Policy (TB) mare Caralot, foaled three stakes winners, including 1989 Las Damas Handicap (G1) winner and Champion of Champions (G1) runner-up Streakin Cara, and ’01 Sunland Park Fall Derby (G3) winner Royal N Rowdy.

BRT Opulence has won seven of 27 races, including six of his 12 starts at the 870-yard distance, and the $45,000 winner’s share of the NMHA Handicap purse increased his earnings to $228,843. The gelding ran second, one length behind Key’s Band (TB), in last year’s 870-yard, $148,230 New Mexico Cup 870 Championship (R) at Zia Park.

Heza Bold Color ran second, 2 ¾ lengths in front of 2-1 favorite Key’s Band. Robyn Lane, Whata Lucky Man, Lost Southerner, Recall Dreams, and Littlesouthernswing completed the order of finish.

A $10,000 claimer at Zia Park last fall, Heza Bold Color earned $15,750 for his owner, Maria G. Gonzalez of Edgewood, New Mexico. The 6-year-old gelding by champion Heza Bold Man has won seven of 27 races, including six at the 870 distance, and has banked $137,162.

Key’s Band is a 6-year-old gelding by Chimes Band (TB) who also races for Maria Gonzalez. Key’s Band earned $7,500 to increase his career bankroll to $384,402, and his eight wins in 22 outs include five stakes.