Cashcheckorcharge streaks into Bold Ego Handicap

Cashcheckorcharge will attempt to start the new year the same way she ended the old one – in the winner’s circle – when she goes for her fifth consecutive victory Saturday in the $65,000 Bold Ego Handicap at Sunland Park.

The race, which is for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs, is one of two stakes on the card. The $100,000 Jess Burner Memorial is for Quarter Horses, and Rime Chimes will be looking for his second straight stakes victory in the 400-yard handicap for 4-year-olds and up bred in New Mexico.

Cashcheckorcharge is the 121-pound highweight in the seven-horse Bold Ego. Others set to start include defending winner Woman At the Well, who exits a race that has produced four next-out winners; Award It, who is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Persistently; and She’s My Gem, who is coming off a win in the $100,000 Zia Park Distaff on Nov. 27.

“It’s a very competitive race,” said Casey Lambert, who trains Cashcheckorcharge for breeder and owner Tom Durant.

KEY CONTENDERS

Cashcheckorcharge, by Will Take Charge

Last 3 Beyers: 79-79-69

◗ She last raced Oct. 28 at Zia and won the $50,000 Chaves County over older rivals in her 3-year-old finale. It was the stakes debut for Cashcheckorcharge, who has compiled a 4-for-5 record starting with a maiden special weight win in her second career start July 26 at the Downs at Albuquerque. She proceeded to win two conditioned allowances before the Chaves County in which she dueled and went on to a length win in the six-furlong race that went in 1:10.46.

“She’s just really good,” Lambert said. “She ran as we expected. It was a tough race, and she ran really good.”

◗ Lambert said the plan was to proceed to the Zia Distaff, but Cashcheckorcharge was scratched after becoming sick three days out from the race.

“She spent a day and a half in the clinic,” he said. “She was alright. She hasn’t missed a beat since then.”

◗ Isaias Enriquez has the mount on the versatile Cashcheckorcharge.

“I love where she drew – seven out of seven,” Lambert said. “That enables us to just kind of see” how the race sets up.

◗ Cashcheckorcharge is out of the Grade 3-winning mare Final Mesa.

She’s My Gem, by Into Mischief

Last 3 Beyers: 78-71-79

◗ She shuttled to a length win in the Zia Distaff, covering six furlongs in 1:09.76. It was the second win in three starts for the promising filly.

◗ Ry Eikleberry has the mount from post 6 for Dale F. Taylor Racing and trainer Todd Fincher.