|
|
Forty Grams will face seven in WinStar Derby FORTY GRAMS (Distorted Humor) will pursue his first stakes victory when he heads to the starting gate in Sunday's $600,000 WinStar Derby at Sunland Park. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the sophomore colt recorded two straight wins at Fair Grounds, including a 13-length allowance score, before finishing a commendable third while making his stakes debut in the Southwest S. at Oaklawn Park. Garrett Gomez will pick up the mount. A total of eight sophomores have been entered for the 1 1/8-mile test at the New Mexico track, and TAKEDOWN (Point Given), who captured the local prep, the February 17 Borderland Derby, is back for the WinStar as well as JACK HES TOPS (He's Tops), GAME OF SKILL (Wild Again) and CONGO BAY (Acceptable), the respective second, third and fourth-placers in the Borderland. SONG OF NAVARONE (Sultry Song) will merit serious respect off his third-place effort, beaten only four lengths by Ravel (Fusaichi Pegasus), in the Sham S. (G3) last out. LAW BREAKER (Silver Deputy), who just missed when finishing second in the San Vicente S. (G2) most recently, is another threat, and SOLEMN PROMISE (Broken Vow) will tackle winners for the first time after capturing his career debut by 4 1/2 lengths over maiden special weight rivals at Gulfstream Park. Takedown will lead the post parade under Glen Murphy. Next comes Solemn Promise, Mark Guidry; Congo Bay, Jaime Ricardo; Forty Grams; Jack Hes Tops, Alfredo Juarez Jr.; Song of Navarone, Victor Espinoza; Law Breaker, Aaron Gryder; and Game of Skill, Ken Tohill. All starters will carry 122 pounds. Three other stakes will be contested on the undercard. Nine sophomore fillies will square off in the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks, and the Asmussen-trained NICE INHERITANCE (Pure Prize) will try to extend her winning streak to four in the 1 1/16-mile event. Other top contenders include BERRIESTOHEAVEN (Smoke Glacken), who was runner-up to Nice Inheritance in the Island Fashion S. last time out, as well as Southern California-based shippers SLEW O' PLATINUM (Stephen Got Even) and TOUGH TIZ'S SIS (Tiznow). Multiple stakes winner EYES ON EDDY (Touch Gold) is the top draw in the $100,000 Harry W. Hanson Breeders' Cup H., a one-mile affair for older distaffers. Concluding the stakes action is the $100,000 New Mexico Breeders' Derby, which has drawn a field of 12 three-year-olds bred in the Land of Enchantment.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
