Dirt Monster, Malibu Mogul shorten up in Duke City Sprint

Dirt Monster and Malibu Mogul will both shake Firing Line on Saturday when they cut back to one turn for the $55,000 Duke City Sprint at the Downs at Albuquerque. The horses hooked Preakness contender Firing Line in March in the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby. Dirt Monster ran fifth and Malibu Mogul seventh as Firing Line soared to a 14 1/4-length win, one start before his runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby.

The Duke City is for 3-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs. Others making up the seven-horse field include Passed Due, the winner of last year’s $100,000 Gold Rush Futurity at Arapahoe Park, and the filly Fancy and Flashy, who earlier this month ran 10th in the Grade 3 Eight Belles at Churchill Downs after being placed third in the $200,240 Sunland Park Oaks.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Dirt Monster (Last 3 Beyers: 60-76-65)

◗ He is cutting back from the 1 1/8-mile Sunland Derby in his most recent out March 22 and has been sharpened for the move with a near-bullet work in 59.80 seconds April 30 at Albuquerque.

◗ Dirt Monster ran third in the two Sunland Derby preps this spring in New Mexico – the Riley Allison and the Mine That Bird Derby – but has registered his two career wins at sprint distances.

◗ He has made one start at Albuquerque, running third in the $50,000 Manzano Stakes in his career debut last August.

◗ Ry Eikleberry has the mount from post 7 for Teed Off Stable and trainer Justin Evans.

Malibu Mogul (Last 3 Beyers: 1-64-76)

◗ He also last raced in the Sunland Derby and prompted the pace for a brief while in what was his first start at two turns. For the cutback in distance, he worked a half-mile in 47 seconds on May 9, the second-fastest move from 40 at the distance that morning at Albuquerque.

◗ Malibu Mogul is a half-brother to Idiot Proof, a Grade 1-winning sprinter who earned almost $1.3 million.

◗ Enrique Gomez has the mount from post 2 for J. Kirk and Judy Robison and trainer Henry Dominguez.