Baydar a standout in Neon Desert

Baydar has seen her stock soar while simply awaiting a start in the $75,000 Neon Desert Handicap on Sunday at Sunland Park.

She enters the 6 1/2-furlong race for fillies and mares off a runner-up finish to Escape Clause in the track’s $100,000 Harry Henson on the Sunland Derby undercard March 24. In the weeks since, Escape Clause has finished second by a nose in the Grade 1, $750,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park and been named Canada’s champion older female of 2018 during Thursday night’s Sovereign Awards.

The Neon Desert brings together a field of nine that includes Performance Review, who was third in the Harry Henson, and stakes winners Super Humor, Victim of Love, Raider, and Kram. Special Relativity invades off a high-end optional claiming sprint win at Oaklawn.

KEY CONTENDERS

Baydar, by Graydar
Last 3 Beyers: 82-80-65

◗ She is the 122-pound highweight after setting the pace then finishing 7 1/2 lengths behind Escape Clause in the Harry Henson, a two-turn mile race that went in a track-record time of 1:34. Baydar finished 4 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Performance Review.

◗ Baydar is cutting back to one turn for the Neon Desert, and trainer Susan Arnett has sharpened her skills for the task with a half-mile work in 48.80 seconds April 15 at Sunland.

◗ Baydar has finished second and third in her last two appearances at one turn, both allowance sprints this meet at Sunland.

◗ Alfredo Juarez Jr. has the mount from the rail for owner Harry Veruchi.

Special Relativity, by Cowboy Cal
Last 3 Beyers: 80-71-54

◗ She picked up the fifth win of her career March 31 when she forged to a three-quarter-length victory in an optional $50,000 claiming sprint for fillies and mares. Special Relativity covered six furlongs in 1:10.75.

◗ Special Relativity invades for trainer Robertino Diodoro and M and M Racing, which recently set a single-season record for owner wins at Oaklawn.

◗ Irwin Rosendo has the mount from post 9.

Kram, by Colonel John
Last 3 Beyers: 76-43-61

◗ She enters off an optional $17,500 claiming sprint win March 24 at Sunland in which she covered six furlongs in a blazing 1:08.12. She cruised by 3 1/4 lengths.

◗ Kram won the Permian Basin, a sprint stakes at Zia Park, earlier in her career.

◗ Roimes Chirinos has the mount for trainer Todd Fincher.