Major players in trial meet again in final

Ballado's Bullet and Bewild Hennessy put on quite a show at Sunland when separated by a neck for the win on April 1, and they renew acquaintances in Saturday's $130,000 Copper Top Futurity there.

The 4 1/2-furlong race for New Mexico-bred 2-year-olds attracted a field of 10 and is part of the last weekend of the 2007-2008 meet, which ends Tuesday.

The race in which Ballado's Bullet and Bewild Hennessy ran last was a trial for Saturday's futurity.

Owned and trained by Jaime Aldavaz, Ballado's Bullet prevailed gamely in what was his second start. He was on the pace from the start and narrowly outslugged Bewild Hennessy in the final furlong of the 4 1/2-furlong race. The Beyer Speed Figures were strong - Ballado's Bullet earned an 85, Bewild Hennessy an 84. Freddie Martinez, who was up for Ballado's Bullet's victory, has the mount again - and a cozy rail draw.

Bewild Hennessy was making his debut in that April 1 race and he went off as the 3-5 favorite; Ballado's Bullet was 7-2.

Bewild Hennessy was stuck outside and pressed the pace, grabbed the lead in midstretch, and couldn't quite fend off Ballado's Bullet in the final yards. Still, it was an encouraging first start. He finished 8 1/2 lengths clear of the third-place finisher. Alfredo Juarez Jr. rode that day and has the call again Saturday, from post No.o4.

Devonairre also had an encouraging debut, on April 1, in another futurity trial - dueling early and pulling away in the lane to win by three lengths under Miguel Perez for trainer Owen Bringhurst. He earned a 63 Beyer.

Waymore's Blues earned a 75 Beyer in winning his debut in yet another trial here April 1. He dogged the pace for trainer Greg Green and won by a nose over Salt Box. That rival, who was making his debut, showed good speed and just lost to Waymore's Blue as the 3-5 favorite, also earning a 75 Beyer.