Outrageous Green cutting back in distance for Duke City

Outrageous Green will make a notable distance move Saturday night when the field’s lone stakes winner in the $50,000 Duke City Sprint at The Downs at Albuquerque takes on up-and-comers Pink Cotton and Bernin Sensation.

The Duke City Sprint is for 3-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs. The field of six also includes Wine N Diva, a multiple stakes-placed runner who was second in last month’s $55,000 Charles Taylor Derby at Albuquerque.

Duke City Sprint (Race 4)

KEY CONTENDERS

Outrageous Green, by Outrageous Limit
Last 3 Beyers: 50-60-58

◗ The Idaho-bred is cutting back to one turn, the configuration at which he won the $30,000 Inaugural in May at Arapahoe Park.

◗ Outrageous Green exits the Charles Taylor Derby on July 15. He was making his two-turn debut and finished third to an 18 1/2-length winner in General Council. Prior to that start, Outrageous Green was third against older horses in the $30,000 Front Range on July 2 at Arapahoe.

◗ Enrique Gomez has the mount from post 3 for trainer Eugene Burns.

Pink Cotton, by High Cotton
Last 3 Beyers: 46-77-74

◗ He is cutting back to one turn after trying two turns and finishing sixth in the $65,000 Prairie Meadows Mile on June 9. Prior to that start, Pink Cotton had won two of three sprints, his latest a first-level allowance at six furlongs May 25 at Prairie Meadows.

◗ Pink Cotton has sharpened his skills for the turnback in distance with a bullet five-furlong move in 58.60 seconds July 9 at Prairie Meadows.

◗ Pink Cotton is out of the mare Lady in Pink, who was a stakes winner and earned $166,230.

◗ Elvin Gonzalez has the mount from post 5 for trainer Bart Hone.