American Dubai, Classy Class clash in allowance

There’s an unexpected prep for the $150,000 Sunland Park Handicap on the Sunday card in New Mexico. Sunland Park’s fifth race, an optional $20,000 claimer at a mile, drew Grade 3 winner Classy Class and multiple stakes winner American Dubai. Both horses could end up going in the Sunland Park Handicap, a 1 1/8-mile race on May 4.

But the first task is Sunday. The horses are part of a field of seven that includes fellow stakes winners Cowboy Cool and J Serino. Hereditary, who has placed in three stakes, is a son of Medaglia d’Oro and 2005 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Pleasant Home.

KEY CONTENDERS

American Dubai, by E Dubai
Last 3 Beyers: 82-77-85

◗ He won the Sunland Park Handicap in 2017, dominating by four lengths to cap a streak of four straight wins that season at Sunland. American Dubai’s other stakes win came later that year, when he rolled by nine lengths in the $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap.

◗ American Dubai is returning to the overnight ranks, having run third in the $65,000 Winsham Lad in on Jan. 13. That race was the first local prep for the Sunland Park Handicap. American Dubai was the favorite and finished 2 3/4 lengths behind winner Raagheb.

◗ American Dubai could be sitting on a peak effort in his third race following a layoff that began in September 2017.

◗ American Dubai boasts a 4-for-6 record at Sunland. Ry Eikleberry has the mount from post 2 for owner and trainer Rodney Richards.

Classy Class, by Discreetly Mine
Last 3 Beyers: 78-71-82

◗ He, too, exits the Winsham Lad, finishing fourth after contesting the pace in the one-mile race. The start was his first out since Nov. 21.

◗ Classy Class won the biggest race of his career in June 2017 in the Grade 3 Salvator Mile at Monmouth Park.

◗ He will break from post 7. Trainer Justin Evans has given the mount to Elvin Gonzalez.

Cowboy Cool, by Divine Park
Last 3 Beyers: 77-63-75

◗ He is stretching back out around two turns after running fourth in the $65,000 KLAQ Handicap at five furlongs on Dec. 29 at Sunland. The last time Cowboy Cool ran around two turns, he popped a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 92 for a runner-up finish in an optional-claiming race in September at The Downs at Albuquerque.