Sunland Park: Midnightlowdown seeks fourth straight win in Mt. Cristo Rey Handicap

Midnightlowdown will seek his fourth straight win Saturday when he starts as the 123-pound highweight in the $85,000 Mt. Cristo Rey Handicap at Sunland Park. The 4 1/2-furlong race is restricted to 3-year-olds and up who were bred in New Mexico. It drew a field of 10.

Midnightlowdown began his streak Oct. 28, when he pulled an 80-1 upset in the $140,000 New Mexico Cup Classic for 3-year-olds at Zia Park. He dueled throughout in the six-furlong race, butting heads through a half-mile in 44.80 seconds, then winning in a quick 1:10.80. Midnightlowdown backed up that performance one start later, winning a Zia allowance sprint Dec. 8. He proceeded to take a Sunland allowance Jan. 31, leading throughout to win the six-furlong race in a blazing 1:09.60.

Duane Sterling, who has been aboard Midnightlowdown throughout his streak, has the mount again Saturday. The horse races for William Rezzonico and Jeremy Trujillo and is trained by Gerald Marr.

Others set to start in the Mt. Cristo Rey include Lester’s Echo, Our Choice, Doms Flash, and Agiba Yulla, all of whom last raced in 1,000-yard allowances that were open to Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. Lester’s Echo won one of the races and will break from post 4 on Saturday.
Others in the field include multiple stakes winners Kiss My Hennessy and Chuchuluco.