Distance the concern for Cherry One

Cherry One might have a tactical advantage Saturday at Ruidoso Downs when she goes for her second straight stakes win of the meet in the $40,000 Fern Sawyer Handicap.

The 7 1/2-furlong race for fillies and mares drew a field of eight.

Cherry One is the 121-pound highweight following her 2 1/4-length win in the $40,000 First Lady at Ruidoso on June 19. She won that six-furlong race on the front end, and with the move to two turns Saturday figures to be prominent. Cherry One also draws the rail post, and if she were to get he jump on perhaps her main pace rival, Snowdrop, she could be tough to run down as a filly who has won 4 of 6 starts.

In the lane, however, Cherry One will have to answer the distance question as she has yet to win at two turns from just one start at such a trip. She is bred to get a route of ground, though, as a daughter of Arkansas Derby winner Sir Cherokee. Carlos Madeira has the mount on Cherry One for Cleber Massey and trainer Joel Marr.

The chief threats include Lisianski, who won a second-level allowance at 7 1/2 furlongs at Ruidoso in her last start June 20, and Snowdrop, from the barn of trainer Chip Woolley.