Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
by Eric Alwan
$100,000 Riley Allison Stakes anchors 4 big stakes on Sunday in expanded card
Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino presents a tremendous racing menu this weekend with an expanded four stakes card on Sunday and the simulcast presentation of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup from Gulfstream Park on Saturday.
Sunland Park will take advantage of the no Football Sunday with an expanded 11-race card highlighted by the 54th running of the $100,000-added Riley Allison Stakes (9th race) at one mile. The Allison is a key local prep race for both the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby on Sunday, February 26 and the $800,000 Sunland Derby (Grade 3) on Sunday March 26.
Racing for leading trainer Justin Evans, Underwood has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite for the Riley Allison. The unbeaten sophomore won the Governor’s Stakes at Zia Park last fall and is exciting a smart looking allowance win at Sunland Park on Jan. 10. Ry Eikleberry rides the favorite in his first spin around two turns. Underwood has a keen turn of foot but has proven to rate kindly in his races.
Arizona based sensation Yo Y Me comes into the Allison Stakes with 3 straight stakes wins at Turf Paradise. The fast Arizona-bred has won his last 4 races in a row and will take ample betting support with Tracy Hebert in the irons.
Judge Lanier Racing’s Conquest Mo Money broke his maiden here in his career debut going one mile on Jan. 6. He closed over 9 lengths in that race with jockey Jorge Carreno doing the steering. Miguel Hernandez trains the promising son of Uncle Mo.
Remington Park allowance winner We’ve Got to Talk meets a talented group of three-year-old fillies in the $65,000 El Paso Times Stakes (8th race) going six and one-half furlongs. Joe Merrick’s filly will square off against debut winners Christina’s Comet for Steven Asmussen: Lady for Bart Hone; Kell Paso for Greg Green; Old Fashioned Gal for Larry Chavez and Fashion Reward for Joel Marr.
2016 Hobbs America Derby winner Tf Im That Guy and 2014 All American Futurity winner JM Miracle will do battle in the KFOX-Radio Handicap (Grade 2) at 350 yards carded as the 10th race.
2016 Jess Burner Memorial Handicap winner Seeyalateralligator will take some beating in the $85,000 Dona Ana County Handicap (11th race) going 440 yards. The multiple stakes winner trainer by Wes Giles has been installed as the 5-2 favorite. 16-time winner Klassic Strawfly and Justified by Chicks will try and pressure the favorite.
Sunland simulcasts $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational from Gulfstream Park on Saturday – Starring 2016 Horse of the Year California Chrome versus Arrogate
The $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational from Gulfstream Park will be simulcast on Saturday. The world’s richest horse is a pivotal rematch between 2016 Horse of the Year California Chrome and 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Arrogate. California Chrome drew post position #12 and is the 6-5 morning line favorite. Arrogate drew the #1 hole and is listed as the second choice at 7-5. Arrogate stormed past California Chrome in deep stretch to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Post time for the Pegasus World Cup is approximately 3:40 p.m. El Paso Time.
Live racing resumes on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday at 12:45 p.m.
