First two-turn test for three in Steve Prather

Diabolical Ruler, Hustle Up, and Sunscreen have all proven their class by becoming stakes winners, but on Monday at Zia Park each will get a new test in the $145,000 Steve Prather.

The race for 2-year-olds serves as the first two-turn start for all three. It will be run over one mile and 70 yards, and is restricted to New Mexico-breds. The Prather has drawn a field of eight.

Steve Prather (Race 9)

KEY CONTENDERS

Diabolical Ruler, by Diabolical
Last 3 Beyers: 67-59-51

◗ He comes off the best race of his career, winning the $140,000 New Mexico Cup Juvenile over six furlongs Nov. 4 at Zia. The Beyer Figure of 67 he earned is the best last-race number in the Steve Prather.

◗ Diabolical Ruler is by a stallion who was a Grade 2 winner at one turn, but who also was a stakes winner at two turns. Diabolical Ruler’s dam, West Ruler, did her best work sprinting on turf.

◗ Alfredo Juarez Jr. has the mount for J. Kirk and Judy Robison and trainer Henry Dominguez.

Hustle Up, by Abstraction
Last 3 Beyers: 60-50-56

◗ He won the first five races of his career, including the Copper Top Futurity in April at Sunland Park and the Mountain Top Futurity in June at Ruidoso Downs – the same stakes his older half-brother On the Low Down had won at 2.

◗ Hustle Up is by a stallion who was a stakes winner at two turns. Hustle Up’s dam, Speedin Excess, registered her two wins in sprints.

◗ Shane Laviolette has the mount for trainer Todd Fincher.

Sunscreen, by Southwestern Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 61-65-65

◗ He won the $110,000 Rio Grande Senor Futurity in September at Ruidoso Downs.

◗ Sunscreen’s sire is out of the Grade 1-winning sprinter Xtra Heat and, like her, achieved his success at one turn. Sunscreen’s dam, Playoftheday, registered both of her wins at sprint distances.

◗ Trainer Casey Lambert has given the mount on Sunscreen to Enrique Gonzalez.

Special Excess, by Excessive Passion
Beyer: 49

◗ Special Excess won by 8 1/2 lengths going a mile and 70 yards in his only start, and is the only horse in the field to have won at two turns.

◗ Ry Eikleberry, who on Friday morning was eight victories from 2,000 career Thoroughbred wins in North America, has the mount for trainer J.R. Gonzalez Jr.