Downs at Albuquerque Handicap rematches Cornhusker crowd

The Cornhusker crowd has made its way to New Mexico.

Texas Chrome, American Dubai, and Code West are rematched Saturday night in the $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap. The trio met in last month’s Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows, finishing second, third, and fourth to winner Iron Fist.

The Albuquerque Handicap is the richest open-company Thoroughbred stakes of the meet and will be run at the same distance of the Cornhusker, 1 1/8 miles. The field of 10 includes Neck ‘n Neck, a Grade 2 winner and earner of $1 million; Forest Mouse, who has won three stakes this year at the age of 9; Hereditary, a new face to the region after being based at Belmont Park; and Ol Winedrinker Who, the winner of this race in 2015.

Code West is another Albuquerque Handicap veteran, while Texas Chrome and American Dubai are both making their first start over the local oval. Code West was third in last year’s running and second in 2014. He is coming off a troubled trip in the July 8 Cornhusker, finishing 7 1/4 lengths back.

“We missed the break,” trainer Boyd Caster said. “We fell behind, and we kind of had to check a little bit into the first turn, and the next thing you know, you’re five lengths behind them. They just weren’t backing up much.

“He was finishing good.”

Downs at Albuquerque Handicap (Race 6)

KEY CONTENDERS

Code West, by Lemon Drop Kid

Last 3 Beyers: 93-91-89

◗ Code West won an allowance prep for the Cornhusker on June 16 at Prairie Meadows. He stalked the pace and went on to a three-length win over a field that included Smack Smack, the winner of last year’s Albuquerque Handicap. Code West also defeated Sightforsoreyes, who came back in his next start to win a Prairie Meadows allowance with a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 90.

◗ Alex Birzer has the mount on Code West from post 10.

“Naturally, you want to get position for the first turn,” Caster said. “I look for American Dubai ... he’s probably going to be our pacesetter.”

◗ Code West races for Bryan, Leo, and Tim Hawk.

Texas Chrome, by Grasshopper

Last 3 Beyers: 100-100-88

◗ The 122-pound highweight, he held his own against Mor Spirit and Danzing Candy, running second to each in Grade 3 stakes at Lone Star Park.

◗ Texas Chrome stalked the pace in the Cornhusker, then shortened up to a mile last out and engaged his rivals earlier than usual to get the job done in the $50,000 Assault Stakes on July 22 at Lone Star Park.

“We had to use him to keep him a little closer,” said Allen Milligan, who trains Texas Chrome for Danny Keene. “It’s really not his style. He likes to lope along and come running down the lane.”

◗ Milligan likes the move back to 1 1/8 miles for Texas Chrome.

“This is definitely his distance,” he said. “We’d like to try him a mile and a quarter even. A mile and an eighth suits him better than the flat mile.”

◗ Texas Chrome won last year’s Super Derby and Oklahoma Derby at 1 1/8 miles. He became just the second Texas-bred in history to go over $1 million in earnings with his victory in the Assault, joining champion Groovy in the exclusive club, according to the Texas Thoroughbred Association.

“He’s a classy horse,” said Milligan, who has given the mount to Lindey Wade. “He brings his ‘A’ game every time we run him.”

American Dubai, by E Dubai

Last 3 Beyers: 95-92-85

◗ He is returning to New Mexico, where earlier this year he won four consecutive two-turn races at Sunland Park, including the $150,000 Sunland Park Handicap over 1 1/8 miles on April 16.

◗ American Dubai took the Cornhusker field through six furlongs in a quick 1:10.62 and continued on well to finish third and earn his second-best Beyer Speed Figure, a 95.

◗ Ken Tohill has the mount for trainer Rodney Richards.