How Did He Do That looks to improve in rescheduled Mine That Bird Derby
How Did He Do That must deal with Southern California shipper Henry Q and an improving Giroovin when he starts as the probable favorite in of the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby that has been moved to Tuesday at Sunland Park.
Sunland Park was forced to cancel Sunday’s card after the second race due to extreme winds and has added the Mine That Bird Derby and three supporting stakes to the end of the card for Tuesday.
Dustin Dix, director of racing operations for the New Mexico track, said the four stakes will be run as originally drawn, with the same fields and posts. Sunland received approval for the transfer of the races from the staff of the New Mexico Racing Commission.
Dix said the stakes will comprise an additional pick four for Tuesday, running on races 10-13.
The Mine That Bird Derby, which will be run over 1 1/16 miles, is the final local stepping-stone to the Grade 3, $600,000 Sunland Derby on March 26.
The four stakes Tuesday are designed to produce starters for Sunland Derby Day. The $75,000 Island Fashion, for example, is a prep for the $300,000 Sunland Park Oaks.
How Did He Do That is part of a nine-horse field for the Mine That Bird Derby. He’s run some of his best races in New Mexico, including a win in the $75,000 Zia Park Juvenile in November. In more recent times, How Did He Do That finished second by a length in the $100,000 Riley Allison Derby on Jan. 29 at Sunland.
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“I like his chances,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “He ran solid the other day. I think we can do a little better, and I think it will be required to do a little better.”
Asmussen said he liked the manner in which How Did He Do That rallied in the Riley Allison Derby.
“He’s a different horse,” he said. “He turned it off and made another run. I think the addition of blinkers helped that.”
Asmussen also credited the ride from Alfredo Juarez Jr., who was teaming with the horse for the first time and will again be aboard Tuesday from post 7. How Did He Do That races for J. Kirk and Judy Robison.
Henry Q last raced at Santa Anita, winning a maiden race over seven furlongs. For the effort, he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 78, which is the best last-race number in the Mine That Bird. The horse will be making his first start for trainer Todd Fincher after being based in Southern California with trainer Doug O’Neill.
“His form is getting better each race,” Fincher said. “Doug sent the horse. He’s a good-looking horse.”
Henry Q, who is by Blame, will break from post 4 under Edwin Maldonado.
Fincher also sends out Giroovin, who is coming off a fifth-place finish in the Riley Allison. The start was his first at Sunland.
"This will be his second run here,” Fincher said. “He’s improved quite a bit from his last race. He’s a pretty lackadaisical horse, but he’s gotten a little more aggressive since his last race, so hopefully he’ll show up with a better race this time.”
Felipe Valdez has the mount from post 5.
Fincher has a third starter in Malmo, who is making his two-turn debut off a runner-up finish in an entry-level allowance sprint Jan. 31 at Sunland.
“He’s a nice colt, a big, good-looking colt,” Fincher said. “He’s a lot of speed. I imagine he’ll show quite a bit of speed. Hopefully, he’ll handle the two turns.”
Malmo is by Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist.
Fincher fillies face off in Island Fashion
Fincher trainees Flying Connection and Christian d’Oro will start as the top choices in the Island Fashion, which is for 3-year-old fillies at a mile. Another notable runner in the five-horse field is Asmussen’s trainee Wish It.
Christian d’Oro is coming off a win in the $65,000 Borderplex on Jan. 29 at Sunland. She led throughout to win the 6 1/2-furlong race by a half-length in a quick time of 1:15. The Beyer of 75 she earned is the best last-race number in the Island Fashion.
“She’s improving every time,” Fincher said.
Flying Connection, who was the odds-on favorite in the Borderplex, lost all chance at the start. She finished third one race after winning the $75,000 Zia Park Princess. Flying Connection nearly went to her knees at the start of the Borderplex.
“Both back legs just slipped out from underneath her when she broke,” Fincher said. “Hopefully, she’ll get a good break this time.”
Flying Connection, who removes blinkers, and Christian d’Oro, will both be making their two-turn debuts. They have pedigrees that support them over a route of ground, but the pace scenario could work against them Tuesday.
“They both have speed and I’m not sure either one is very rateable,” Fincher said. “I’m guessing they’ll both be up there close, barring an incident at the gate.
“I’m not worried about the distance. I’m just worried about them hooking up on the front end and killing each other off. Neither one of them want to really relax too much.”
Juarez will be aboard Flying Connection when she breaks from the rail, while Luis Fuentes has the mount on Christian d’Oro from post 5.
Wish It is moving back to two turns following an 11-length win in a maiden special weight over seven furlongs Feb. 10 at Sam Houston. She is a daughter of Tapit and the Grade 3-winning mare Graeme Six, who has produced the Grade 3 winners Cali Star and Delightful Joy.
Enrique Gomez has the mount from post 4.
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