If Sunset Paula Jo had been competing in New York or California for the past year, and had recorded her current record, she would have her name listed high up on First Dude’s growing roster of runners who have earned $200,000 and up, probably around half a million dollars.

    But the 7-year-old mare has been toiling at Camarero Race Track in Puerto Rico, and all that has been monetarily accomplished by her streak of six straight victories, and eight of her last nine, has been to increase her earnings to $174,923.

    Sunset Paula Jo ballooned her career record to 13-2-5 in 37 starts with a nose victory at odds of 3/5 in her latest, a $10,780 allowance race at six furlongs over a sloppy track. With regular rider Edwin Castro aboard, she battled 9/10 second choice Silent Rain for the lead early, took over in the stretch, and held off one closer at the wire. Clocked in 1:12.54, the $1,200 OBS August yearling bred by Maria Montez Haire paid $3.50 and earned another modest check of $6,380.