Cassy Sue targets ninth straight win in El Diario Handicap

Cassy Sue will be seeking her ninth consecutive win Saturday when the former $5,000 claimer moves into stakes company in the $50,000 El Diario Handicap at Sunland Park in New Mexico. She is out to extend a streak that started in April 2014.

The El Diario is a 6 1/2-furlong race for fillies and mares. African Rose is the 122-pound highweight off an allowance win at Sunland. Other top contenders in the seven-horse field include Belleofthebeach, winner of the $50,000 Bold Ego at Sunland in December, and Popalicious, who has raced at tracks such as Laurel, Del Mar, and Los Alamitos.

Key contenders

Cassy Sue (Last 3 Beyers: 60-66-82)

* She’s been on an incredible run since proving 1 1/2 lengths best in a $5,000 claiming sprint April 18, 2014, at SunRay Park. Cassy Sue has not lost since and has continued to climb the class ladder, her latest score coming in a wide-open allowance Jan. 9 at Sunland. Cassy Sue has used her excellent speed to build her win streak, and she appears to be the one to catch in the El Diario.

* Cassy Sue also is a winner at the race’s demanding 6 1/2-furlong distance, having won at the trip two starts ago at the Downs at Albuquerque.

* Cassy Sue is a 7-year-old by Bluegrass Cat. Her dam, She’s a Jewel, was a two-time stakes winner who earned $207,585.

* Alejandro Medellin has the mount on Cassy Sue for the partnership of EC Racing and trainer Justin Evans.

Belleofthebeach (Last 3 Beyers: 80-60-63)

* She has won three stakes races in her last five starts, the most recent being the Bold Ego over African Rose on Dec. 20.

* Belleofthebeach has tactical speed and might get a nice tracking trip behind Cassy Sue.

* Glen Murphy has the mount for Teed Off Stable and trainer Evans.