Plaid back for Chaves County

Plaid has won more than half her starts this year in a campaign that began in New Mexico. She will return to the state Saturday for the $75,000 Chaves County at Zia Park.

The one-mile race for fillies and mares drew a field of eight, with favoritism expected to go to Plaid, a multiple stakes winner. After capturing an allowance at Sunland Park in January, she went on to win races in Kentucky, Nebraska. and Louisiana and has compiled a 5-for-9 record in 2006.

"We claimed her for $20,000 at Churchill Downs last fall," said Scott Blasi, who trains Plaid. "She's just moved up the ladder and definitely exceeded our expectations. She's very talented."

Plaid won the Queen's Handicap at Horsemen's Park in July, and also captured the $75,000 Matron at Evangeline Downs in September. She last raced in Oklahoma, finishing a troubled second as the 4-5 favorite in the $76,000 Lady's Secret at Remington Park on Nov. 11.

"She had to wait a long time before she could make her run, and I think it definitely cost her last time," said Blasi. "Hopefully, things will go a little smoother for her at Zia."

Roman Chapa has the mount on Plaid, who will break from post 2. Other contenders in the Chaves County include Show Me Your Glory, a threat to wire the field from her rail post, and Dancing Squall, who was an eight-length winner of the $68,000 Zia Distaff in October.