Canadian pair take on Evans quartet in Manzano

A pair of invaders from Canada will meet a quartet of juveniles trained by Justin Evans in the $55,000 Manzano Stakes on Friday at The Downs at Albuquerque. The race is the first of six stakes to be run over the final three dates of the New Mexico meet that closes Sunday.

Heber and Coolidge most recently finished one-two in the $25,000 Winnipeg Futurity at Assiniboia Downs in Manitoba on Sept. 6. Heber stalked the pace and went on to win his maiden in the race, finishing 1 1/2 lengths clear of stablemate Coolidge.

Heber was making his second career start, following a runner-up finish in the $25,000 Osiris at Assiniboia. Scott Stevens has been named to ride Heber, who will break from the rail in the six-furlong Manzano. Heber and Coolidge are both owned by Barry Arnason and Don Schnell, and Schnell trains them both.

Coolidge will break from post 5 under Aldo Arboleda.

Evans, a perennial leading trainer in New Mexico, will send out Concord Fast, Cattle Company, Feed the Streak, and the filly Don’t Tell Jackie in the seven-horse Manzano.

Albuquerque on Saturday has a $100,000 futurity for Quarter Horses. The track then puts on four stakes Sunday, including the $100,000 Camino Real Futurity for 2-year-old New Mexico-breds at six furlongs and the $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Fall Quarter Horse Championship, which drew reigning world champion Jrc Callas First as well as 2013 All American Futurity winner Handsome Jack Flash.