Explosive Spy stuck outside in Peppers Pride

Explosive Spy will have to overcome post 12 to keep her win streak alive Sunday in the $170,000 Peppers Pride, part of the $1.8 million New Mexico Cup program of stakes at Zia Park.

The 12-race card features eight stakes for Thoroughbreds and four for Quarter Horses. All of the races are restricted to horses bred in New Mexico. The New Mexico Cup drew widespread support at the entry box, with six of the Thoroughbred races luring a maximum field of 12. In all, 128 horses are scheduled to run, for an average field size of 10.7 horses.

Todd Fincher led all trainers in entries with 22. He will be represented in every one of the Thoroughbred stakes, including the Peppers Pride with defending winner Sippin and multiple stakes winner Hennessy Express.

But the horse to beat remains Explosive Spy. She began her three-race win streak in July at Ruidoso Downs in the $50,000 Lincoln Handicap. Explosive Spy then captured the $70,000 Carlos Salazar Memorial in August at The Downs at Albuquerque before winning an allowance prep for the Peppers Pride on Oct. 14 at Zia.

Trainer Simon Buechler wasn’t sure how the wide draw would affect Explosive Spy in the one-mile Peppers Pride.

“It could be good in a way, to keep from getting in too much trouble,” he said. “Then it could be bad if we get hung too wide around the first turn. I guess it is what it is.”

Buechler said he’s hopeful Explosive Spy will adapt to whatever scenario plays out.

“She’s kind of versatile,” he said. “She’s got the speed to maybe get to the first turn without getting too wide, more or less. If she doesn’t get away well, hopefully she’ll relax and get some position around the first turn.”

Explosive Spy is a 5-year-old by Your Eminence who races for her breeder, Michael Weatherly. During her streak, she’s been trained by Buechler and his father-in-law, Dan Dennison. The Peppers Pride, for fillies and mares ages 3 and up, has been a goal for Explosive Spy the past two years, but her first crack at the race comes Sunday.

Buechler said a bruised foot forced her to miss it last year, and the year before she had an issue with an eyelid.

“She’s matured quite a bit,” he said.

Explosive Spy is in the midst of her best year, going 4 for 8. She will be looking for her fourth stakes win this year, with her first coming in the Foutz Distaff, a 6 1/2-furlong race run around two turns at SunRay Park.

Frank Reyes has the mount.

‘Gator’ siblings each 6 for 7

The full siblings Fast Gator and Diabolical Gator will each bring a 6-for-7 career record into their respective New Mexico Cup races.

Fast Gator is up first in the $140,000 Oaks at six furlongs. She is looking for her third straight win. Fast Gator’s one loss came in her lone start at two turns. Zia leading rider Alfredo Juarez Jr. has the mount from post 8 for trainer Henry Dominguez.

Diabolical Gator runs in the $170,000 Sprint at six furlongs. He is looking for his fourth straight win. Diabolical Gator’s one loss came in his lone start at two turns. Miguel Fuentes Jr. has the mount from post 8 for trainer Joel Marr.

Fast Gator and Diabolical Gator are both by Diabolical and out of the stakes-winning mare Gator Prowl. Both horses were bred by their owners, J. Kirk and Judy Robison.

Frequent rivals clash

Thunder Dome and Go for a Stroll will meet once again as top contenders in the $180,000 Rocky Gulch. The one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up is the richest race on the card for Thoroughbreds. The field of 12 also includes defending winner Hute.

Thunder Dome won the allowance prep by a head over Go for a Stroll on Oct. 14 at Zia. The win came two races after he was second by a neck to Go for a Stroll in the $50,000 Land of Enchantment in July at Ruidoso Downs.

Dallas Barton trains Thunder Dome and has given the mount to Juarez. Fincher trains Go for a Stroll and has given the mount to Roimes Chirinos.

◗ African Heat will attempt to improve to 3 for 3 when she runs in the $140,000 Lassie for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs. She comes off a win in the Rio Grande Senorita Futurity at Ruidoso.

◗ Hustle Up, a winner of five of six starts, will be looking to start a new win streak in the $140,000 Juvenile.

◗ Blazing Navarone will have to beat Hollywood Henry to lock up his fourth stakes win in the $140,000 New Mexico Classic Cup Derby at six furlongs.

◗ Bryn’s Fancy Pants shakes Explosive Spy and gets off the rail in the $140,000 Distaff Sprint.

◗ The undefeated Saul seeks his fourth win when he runs in the $300,000 Futurity, the richest offering for Quarter Horses.

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