Distance, post position hurdles for Instantly

Instantly rallied strongly despite early traffic trouble to win the six-furlong Diamondback Handicap at Yavapai Aug. 13. On Sunday he moves to a route for the $15,000 Mile Hi Handicap at Yavapai, a race in which he finished third last year.

It isn't going to be easy. Not only is he winless in three starts at the 1 1/16-mile distance of the Mile Hi, he has an outside post and must deal with the Southern California shipper Gospodin and nine others.

Instantly, owned by the Sandra Hall Trust and trained by Lyman Rollins, has posted 3 of his 4 wins at Yavapai. While winless at 1 1/16 miles, he's been second once and third twice.

Instantly came from far back in the Diamondback, but he has shown more tactical speed than that, and figures to be closer to the front in the Mile Hi. He carries co-highweight of 123 pounds and rider Daniel Vergara.

Gospodin has been plying his trade against lower-level claimers in Southern California and comes off a third- and a fourth-place finish. His only poor recent race came going a mile at Del Mar July 20 when he had the outside post. He makes his first start for trainer Justin Evans on Sunday. Berkley Packer rides at 121 pounds.

Nice Choice carries 123 pounds, a result of his Dwight Patterson Handicap win on the grass at Turf Paradise April 30. He was seventh behind Instantly in the Diamond-back. Miguel Hernandez rides Nice Choice, who is owned by Angelo Pizzuro and trained by Peter Pizzuro.