Hit a Lick, Liberty Lover need straight stretch runs in statebred stakes race

The comment lines “lugged in” and “bore out” signify red flags for handicappers. Hit a Lick and Liberty Lover both were unable to maintain a straight path during the stretch run when they met Feb. 26 at Sunland Park. But the fact that both horses are back less than three weeks later as contenders in the $85,000 New Mexico State University Handicap may be more of a positive sign than a warning to watch out for a sore horse.

Hit a Lick won the one-mile prep for Saturday’s mile-and-70-yard stakes for New Mexico-breds by a half-length despite lugging out inside the sixteenth pole and brushing with Liberty Lover.

Liberty Lover lugged in during the late stages of the race despite being hit left-handed by his rider. He was disqualified and placed sixth for interference.

The horse most affected by the stretch run was sixth-place finisher Weather Dodger, who had to check after getting bumped by Liberty Lover. He was placed fifth.

Shining Source could be a price play. He was beaten just a length in the Albert Dominguez Memorial two starts ago and finished strongly with a five-wide rally in the Feb. 26 prep to lose by 2 1/2 lengths.
G M Gage upset this race last year at 16-1, but his form soured and he hasn’t been close in six subsequent starts and will be an extreme outsider Saturday.

New Mexico State University Handicap, Race 9

KEY CONTENDERS

Hit a Lick, by Attila’s Storm

Last 3 Beyers: 79-78-76

◗ His sharp form is offset by the stat that trainer Todd Fincher is 1 for 18 with last-out winners returning in 21 days or fewer in a route.

Weather Dodger, by Weather Warning

Last 3 Beyers: 73-77-62

◗ He beat Hit a Lick by three-quarters of a length two starts ago in the Albert Dominguez Memorial and is a two-time stakes winner.

Ten Penny Cents, by Right Rigger

Last 3 Beyers: 74-77-70

◗ The last two times he returned in a route within 21 days, he produced a win and a neck loss. He beat Hit a Lick two races ago.

Liberty Lover, by Diabolical

Last 3 Beyers: 78-60-73

◗ Winless since taking back-to-back stakes late in his 2-year-old campaign in 2014.