O'Neill runners invade for stakes

Southern California-based trainer Doug O’Neill has entered a pair of notable 3-year-olds for stakes at Sunland Park on Sunday. The $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby is the local stepping-stone to next month’s Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby, and O’Neill has entered Irap.

Irap is coming off a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita and last year was second to Mastery in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity. Mario Gutierrez has the mount for Reddam Racing.

Mopotism, who was second last out in the Grade 2 Las Virgenes at Santa Anita, goes in the $75,000 Island Fashion. The race is the local prep for next month’s $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks. Gutierrez has the mount for Reddam Racing. The field also includes Sippin, who is undefeated in seven career starts, and Golden Mischief, a two-time stakes winner invading from Fair Grounds.