Asmussen has two good fillies

Trainer Steve Asmussen's large sphere of influence will spread to the desert Southwest on Sunday afternoon when he sends out a pair of fillies in the $50,000 Bold Ego Handicap at Sunland Park.

The 5 1/2-furlong feature drew a field of nine and will be the 10th race of an eleven-race program.

Asmussen's Stealth Cat has been assigned high weight of 123 pounds off the strength of a 12 1/2-length win against Texas-breds in the Yellow Rose Stakes at Retama Park in her last start. The 4-year-old Stealth Cat has enjoyed a solid year in 2008, winning five times, including an allowance locally in the spring as well as stakes scores at Lone Star Park and Remington Park. Glenn Murphy has the mount.

The Asmussen-trained Catera, who will not be coupled in the wagering with Stealth Cat, returned to action at Fair Grounds last month after an eight-month layoff. The 3-year-old Catera made short work of eight rivals in an entry-level allowance, winning off by almost six lengths in a race originally scheduled for the turf but rained off to the main track. She will carry 116 pounds and be ridden by Luis Contreras.

Sassy Blend comes in sporting a three-race win streak for trainer Bennie Woolley Jr. After winning a money allowance at Zia Park in late September, Sassy Blend reeled off a pair of stakes victories, the La Fiesta Handicap at Albuquerque and the Zia Distaff. Alfredo Juarez Jr. rides at 121 pounds.

Goodbye Norma Jean is also a multiple stakes winner but had to settle for a third-place finish to Sassy Blend when they met in the Zia Distaff last month. She has been assigned 122 pounds for the Bold Ego and will be ridden by Alejandro Medellin for trainer Henry Dominguez.