KLAQ Handicap might be a tad short for Wine Police

Wine Police has accounted for two stakes in his last three starts, and were he to win the $50,000 KLAQ Handicap at Sunland Park on Saturday, he would go over $500,000 in earnings.

Those credentials point him out as the probable favorite, but there’s a question of whether the five-furlong distance might prove a tad shorter than optimal for Wine Police. He might find himself having to catch quick rivals such as defending champ Homerun Bertie and Turf Paradise shippers Castletown and Omar.

The KLAQ, which last year was run over 5 1/2 furlongs, helps open the $3.4 million stakes schedule at Sunland, the New Mexico track located just over the border from El Paso, Texas. Others making up the seven-horse field are Unfettered, Spanish Jazz, and Forin Sea.

KLAQ Handicap (Race 9)

KEY CONTENDERS

Wine Police (Last 3 Beyers: 91-55-86)

◗ He will be shortening up from a win over 5 1/2 furlongs in the $55,000 Lea County at Zia on Nov. 11. He stalked then overtook pacesetter Unfettered.

◗ Wine Police is the 124-pound highweight in the KLAQ, spotting each of his rivals five to 10 pounds.

◗ He is an earner of $475,607 and with a win would secure a first-place check of $30,000.

◗ Wine Police will break from post 4 under Enrique Gomez, who has the mount for J. Kirk and Judy Robison and trainer Johnnie Nall.

Castletown (Last 3 Beyers: 55-101-84)

◗ He enters the KLAQ following a rare off-the-board finish in the $150,000 Remington Park Sprint Cup. One start prior, he wired the field in the $40,000 HBPA Sprint at Canterbury Park with a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 101.

◗ Castletown has worked sharply since his last start, among his drills a half-mile in 47 seconds at Turf Paradise on Nov. 25.

◗ Alfredo Juarez Jr., the winner of the riding title at Zia, has the mount for Mercedes Stable and trainer Robertino Diodoro.

Unfettered (Last 3 Beyers: 90-75-93)

◗ He made his first start in more than a year last out when second to Wine Police by a half-length in the Lea County.

◗ Unfettered returns to the Sunland surface over which he is 2 for 2.