Distance main question for Huitzilopochtli

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Huitzilopochtli will try to make it six wins in a row when he runs in the $100,000 Ascot Graduation for 2-year-olds at Hastings Sunday. The 1 1/16-mile feature attracted 10 horses who will all carry 122 pounds.

Huitzilopochtli hasn't just won all five of his starts; he has dominated his rivals. In his last three stakes wins the combined margin of victory was 20 1/2 lengths. Trained by his owner, Juan Olmos, Huitzilopochtli will be stretching out to 1 1/16 miles for the first time. He is a half-brother to Grace for You, who won the Grade 3, 1 1/8-mile Ballerina, so there is an excellent chance the distance won't be a problem.

Huitzilopochtli tuned up for the Ascot with a one-mile work in 1:40.40 on Oct. 14 with jockey Fernando Perez aboard. Perez will ride Huitzilopochtli in the Ascot.

"I hope he can go long," said Olmos. "He had a good work and he seems to be ready for another good effort."

Olmos has also entered Macondo and Tequisquiapan and his horses will run as a formidable three-horse entry. All three horses have good speed but it looks like Macondo will be the one going to the front.

"I can't really say for sure, but more than likely Macondo will set the pace," he said. "It all depends on how they leave the starting gate."

Tequisquiapan is coming off of a sharp win in a $50,000 optional race Sept. 26, and he has the pedigree for even longer distances. He is a half-brother to Footlights, who won the Grade 1 New York Turf Writers Steeplechase going 2 1/8 miles.

Huitzilopochtli wasn't eligible for the $106,000 Jack Diamond Futurity, and taking full advantage of the situation was Silly Fella. With Chad Hoverson aboard, Silly Fella broke sharply, set a decent pace, and drew away to win by 8 3/4 lengths. In his previous start he was in front early but tired to finish fourth in the CTHS Sales Stakes, won by Huitzilopochtli.

Silly Fella's trainer, Lenore Daponte, likes the way he is coming up to the race.

"He just keeps getting better and better," she said. "Going long will be a new thing for him, but he certainly acts like he'll handle the distance."

Dyna Stroll, trained by Troy Taylor, chased Huitzilopochtli in three straight races and then ran into a sharp Silly Fella in the Jack Diamond Futurity, finishing second. Victor's Magic could be dangerous.