La Chica Rica loves these road trips

The Maryland-based mare La Chica Rica has taken a liking to traveling to West Virginia.

In December, the 5-year-old La Chica Rica just missed in the New Year's Eve Stakes at Mountaineer Racetrack. Her two most recent starts, one at Mountaineer and the other at Charles Town, have produced back-to-back lopsided victories and the two highest Beyer Figures of her career.

Trainer Crystal Pickett is bringing La Chica Rica back to Mountaineer for the $75,000 Hancock County Handicap at five furlongs.

No one else in the field of eight older fillies and mares has come close to La Chica Rica's recent Beyers of 94 and 92.

The main threats appear to be Taylor Madison, a two-time winner this past winter at Tampa Bay Downs, and Moonlight Dreamer, who steps way up in class after crushing $5,000 starter allowance foes by more than 11 lengths with a career-best 88 Beyer.

Taylor Madison owns a win in two previous tries locally, but comes off a dull effort at Hawthorne. Moonlight Dreamer has won two in a row, but is stepping up in class.