Baytown Macca a maiden worthy of respect in Manzano

Baytown Macca is a maiden, but he could go favored Saturday night in the $50,000 Manzano at the Downs at Albuquerque. He was stakes-placed this spring in Kentucky, owns one of the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figures, and will be first Lasix for high-percentage trainer Justin Evans.

The Manzano is a six furlong race for 2-year-olds. A field of six is set to start, including the fillies Nat Gio and Bardoc’sbaby.

Baytown Macca (5-2 on the morning line) is one of three in the field who have raced at Churchill Downs. B.B. Dude (2-1) and Infantry (4-1) are the others.

KEY CONTENDERS

Baytown Macca, by Creative Cause

Last 3 Beyers: 50-38-46

◗ He ran perhaps the best race of his career May 3, when he finished a close third in the $100,000 Kentucky Juvenile at Churchill Downs. He came into the stakes off a runner-up finish in a maiden special weight at Keeneland.

◗ Baytown Macca enters the Manzano off a sixth-place finish in a maiden special weight June 23 at Churchill. He had removed blinkers for the race, but will have them back Saturday when he makes his first start for new connections – owner Roberto Marquez and Evans.

◗ Andrew Ramgeet has the mount from post 3.

B.B. Dude, by Shakin It Up

Beyers: 49-47

◗ He was a debut winner June 1 at Churchill, with Baytown Macca fourth.

◗ B.B. Dude has made one start since his debut, finishing fifth in the $107,000 colts and geldings division of the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity on July 15 at Lone Star Park.

◗ Steve Asmussen, who won last Saturday’s $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap with Hence, trains B.B. Dude for Jerry Durant.

◗ B.B. Dude will break from post 6 under Enrique Gomez.

Infantry, by Flat Out

Beyers: 35-NA-NA

◗ January foal won a $40,000 maiden-claiming race at Churchill in his last start May 11. Prior to that race, he was fifth and eighth in maiden special weight races at Keeneland.

◗ Jansen Melancon has the mount from post 2.