Mile seems to suit Ghost Chatter

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. - Shemoveslikeaghost and Ghost Chatter, both 4-year-old daughters of New Mexico sire Ghostly Moves, meet once again in Saturday's $100,000-added City of Las Cruces Handicap at one mile.

Ghost Chatter, owned by M J Enterprises, has been assigned top weight of 123 pounds and will most likely be the favorite in the field of eight statebred fillies and mares. Ghost Chatter was a run-of-the-mill filly when transferred to the care of Henry Dominguez late last spring, but has won 6 of 8 since.

Ghost Chatter prepped for the Las Cruces with a three-length score in allowance company on Feb. 13. She covered the two-turn mile in 1:38.08 in her first career effort at the distance. Shemoveslikeaghost made her first start around two turns in that same race and finished almost eighth lengths back. Ricardo Jaime has the call on Ghost Chatter.

Shemoveslikeaghost, owned by William Stradley and trained by Fred Danley, opened the meet with back-to-back sprint stakes wins over Ghost Chatter and many of her other Saturday rivals. She tired to finish fourth in the Feb. 13 allowance. Ken Tohill will ride at 121.

Dancing Capote won this race last year at 5, and while she appears to have lost a step this season, she should not be counted out. Dancing Capote, owned by Joe Dee and Lisa Brooks, finished third in the Feb. 13 prep race after making a brief bid on the far turn. A five-furlong drill in 1:00.40 on March 6 suggests she is coming into the race in peak form for trainer Todd Fincher. Ridden by Isaias Enriquez, Dancing Capote will carry 119 pounds.