Chief Cicatriz seeks fourth straight win in KLAQ Handicap

Chief Cicatriz will attempt to run his career record to 4 for 4 on Saturday when he takes on multiple stakes winners Redneck Humor and Storm Power in the $65,000 KLAQ Handicap at Sunland Park.

The KLAQ is for 3-year-olds and up at five furlongs and serves as the first Thoroughbred stakes of the meet. The $85,000 Jess Burner Memorial, a restricted Grade 1 for Quarter Horses, shares the card and drew the 10-year-old Klassic Strawfly, a winner of five consecutive starts since May.

Chief Cicatriz faces five others, including Indexical, who placed in two graded sprints this year in Southern California, and Conquest Nitro, a winner of three of his last four starts.

KLAQ Handicap (Race 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Chief Cicatriz, by Munnings
Last 3 Beyers: 88-82-68

◗ He could prove to be the dominant speed in the KLAQ. He has set the pace in his three career starts, including an allowance at Zia in which he zipped six furlongs in 1:08.20 after putting up fractions of 21.80 seconds for the opening quarter and 43.80 for the half-mile in his most recent start Nov. 1.

◗ Alfredo Juarez Jr. has the mount for breeder-owner Roy Gene Evans and trainer Shawn Davis.

Storm Power, by Tiz Wonderful
Last 3 Beyers: 74-83-84

◗ He is a five-times stakes winner who is seeking his third stakes win of the year, following victories in the Ed Skinner Memorial in May at Prairie Meadows and the Tom Metzen HBPA Sprint in September at Canterbury.

◗ Storm Power is an older half-brother to both Grade 2 winner Itsaknockout and Hot Sean, the runner-up in last month’s Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot.

◗ Jorge Carreno has the mount on Storm Power, the 119-pound highweight for Mercedes Stables and trainer Robertino Diodoro.

Redneck Humor, by Da Stoops
Last 3 Beyers: 75-94-79

◗ He is a two-time stakes winner and last year was third in the KLAQ.

◗ Redneck Humor set a pressured pace last out in the $75,000 Zia Sprint before finishing fifth in the race that produced a next-out allowance winner last week at Remington Park in Storm Advisory.