Winning turtle named in Tortugas race
June 24, 2009 8:53:56 am
- Associated Press
TORTUGAS, N.M. — A 5-year-old desert tortoise named Raleigh Ann beat nearly 100 other turtles at an annual race in Tortugas in southwestern New Mexico.
Eleven heats, two semifinal races and a final showdown between the six speediest turtles were held during the final day Sunday of the three-day San Juan Fiesta and Turtle Fest.
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Eighteen-year-old Josh Nestle, owner of the winning tortoise, says the key to victory is feeding her vegetables and strawberry tops.
Another one of Nestle's turtles won the competition last year.
Nestle won $50 for the race, which he says he'll use to fill up his gas tank.
This was the 21st year for the race in Tortugas, which is Spanish for "turtles."
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Information from Las Cruces Sun-News
