SUNLAND PARK, NM—MARCH 6, 2010—Let go at 39-1 odds, Hez Our Rock stormed home a narrow winner in the $86,854 West Texas Maturity(G2) at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday. Racing free of traffic problems, the improving Quarter Horse unleashed a strong late move to overwhelm the even money favorite Jess Dellaree by a nose in the final jumps.

Making his second start of the year, Hez Our Rock produced a career best performance to gain his first career stakes win. His fourth career win avenged a prior defeat to Jess Dellaree in the trials back on Feb. 19. The four-year-old gelded son of Granite Lake earned $40,822 for owner Jose Angel Esparza of El Paso , Texas . The winning time for the 400 yards was a good 19.49 seconds. Abdel Torres rode the winner for trainer Salvador Soto.

Hez Our Rock lit up the tote board paying $80.20 to win, $26.40 to place and $13.60 to show. He ranks as the biggest long shot stakes winner of the season.

Jess Dellaree, the top qualifier and even money favorite, ran well despite a rocky start. The rangy son of Feature Mr Jess made up ground willingly in the final stages. He found his best strides a bit too late while splitting rivals in deep stretch. The Andres Gonzalez trainee just missed in a valiant effort. The lightly raced runner-up has carved out 2 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 4 career starts. He was ridden by Martin Bourdieu.

Mr Jesses Corona, also by Feature Mr Jess, held a brief lead midway through the dash. The 2009 West Texas Derby winner gave way slightly and in the final stanza. He and jockey Oscar Rincon finished a close third, beaten only a neck. Mr Jesses Corona sparked a $1 trifecta worth $3,296.90.

Completing the field were Jess Sporty, Featurel, Fire Above, Sea Ola Go, Brown Eye Suze, Wr Okie Smoker and Neds Easter Fol.

Live racing resumes on Sunday at 12:55 p.m. Future win and exacta wagering (pool #2) on the Kentucky Derby plus future win wagering on the Kentucky Oaks will be available.