Lefty Who's connections opt for sprint

Owner-breeder Sam Stevens and trainer Joel Marr had their choice of weekend stakes for Lefty Who at Sunland Park, and have decided to sprint the horse in the $100,000 Mt. Cristo Rey Handicap. The other option was to go a mile in the $100,000 New Mexico State University Handicap on Sunday.

The Mt. Cristo is for New Mexico-breds at 4 1/2 furlongs and it drew nine entrants. Lefty Who should be favored off an allowance win at six furlongs that came in his first race since December.

"I didn't feel like we were quite ready to go a mile, so we opted to try the four and a half," Marr said. "He's pretty sharp."

Lefty Who equaled his best career Beyer Figure, an 84, in the 1 1/2-length allowance win at Sunland on Feb. 28.

"You can count on him trying hard every time," said Marr.

A multiple stakes winner of more than $500,000, Lefty Who has won 9 of 13 starts. He is a 4-year-old by Quinton's Gold and will break from post 2 under regular rider Carlos Madeira.

Gold Asure, who was second to Lefty Who in the allowance after setting the pace, figures to get good support in the Mt. Cristo Rey. He is one of four horses who will carry top weight of 123 pounds. The others are Lefty Who, Gulchrunssweet, and Key's Band.

Chaco Latto could be a pace force Saturday as he exits an 870-yard race against Quarter Horses. He was fourth in that allowance, run Jan. 10 at Sunland.