Big Score's promise resurfaces

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. - Two uncoupled entries headline Sunday's $50,000-added Santa Teresa Handicap for fillies and mares going 6 1/2 furlong at Sunland Park. One of these seperate betting interests comes from the barn of America's leading trainer, Steve Asmussen, and the other ships in from Phoenix for trainer Dan Morgan.

Of Asmussen's pair, Big Score, co-highweighted at 121 pounds, will likely go off as the favorite under Isaias Enriquez. A 4-year-old Grand Slam filly, Big Score comes off a win here Feb. 8 in the Czaria Handicap and appears to be on the verge of fullfilling the promise she showed at 2, when she won her maiden first out at Churchill and came right back to score an allowance win at Saratoga. Big Score was a disappointment at 3, but has been flawless in two starts this meet.

The other Asmussen trainee, City Sleeper, has been the beaten favorite in three consecutive races at Sunland, including the Czaria, and may be an overlay this time around.

Morgan's duo is led by Channing Way, who will carry 121 pounds with Glenn Corbett in for the mount. A 6-year-old, Channing Way spent a year on the sidelines before being brought back in time for the Jan. 24 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita, in which he finished third. Channing Way then returned to the Arcadia, Calif., track on Feb. 22 for the Grade 3 Las Flores Handicap, but finished sixth after a bad break.

Almost Fooled is a 4-year-old who will be making just the sixth start of her career, the first away from Turf Paradise, and her third since a layoff.

Trainer Gary Cross holds a fresh ace in Sexy Boots, who will carry 120 pounds, including Ken Tohill. Sexy Boots was wisely given a 4 1/2-month rest between her 3-year-old and 4-year-old seasons. She returned in a 5 1/2-furlong allowance Feb. 24, her first start of 2004, and beat City Sleeper.