Redneck Humor faces Dominguez's trio in Premier Cup Handicap

Redneck Humor might have to hold off a trio of runners trained by Henry Dominguez to win the $50,000 Premier Cup Handicap on Sunday at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M.

Redneck Humor will be looking for his third stakes win of the year. His rivals from the Dominguez stable are Forest Mouse, the winner of last year’s Premier Cup; Five Palms, who invades from Del Mar; a Get a Notion.

The Premier Cup, for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs, is the first stakes of the Zia meet that was to open Saturday.

Premier Cup (Race 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Redneck Humor, by Da Stoops
Last 3 Beyers: 75-70-88

◗ He used his excellent speed to win the $100,000 Bill Thomas Memorial in March at Sunland Park and the $35,000 Inaugural in April at SunRay Park.

◗ Redneck Humor and Forest Mouse are the 123-pound co-highweights for the Premier.

◗ Redneck Humor enters off a win in an optional $20,000 claiming race Aug. 10 at Albuquerque. The second- and third-place finishers returned to win $15,000 claiming races with Beyer Speed Figures in the low 70s.

◗ Ry Eikleberry has the mount on Redneck Humor, who could set the pace or track Shock Hazard. Justin Evans trains Redneck Humor for Earl Neugebauer.

Forest Mouse, by Teton Forest
Last 3 Beyers: 87-88-39

◗ He will be cutting back from 1 1/8 miles, having run second by a half-length in the $175,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap in his last start Aug. 6.

◗ Forest Mouse is seeking the 10th stakes win of his career. Overall, he is a winner of 20 races from 50 starts and has earned $758,227.

◗ Enrique Gomez will be aboard for Solitaire Stable.

Five Palms, by Unbridled’s Song
Last 3 Beyers: 89-83-92

◗ He closed from next to last for second in a $40,000 claiming sprint Sept. 1 at Del Mar. The 89 Beyer Speed Figure he earned is the best last-race number in the Premier Cup.

◗ Five Palms is out of the Grade 2-winning mare Ema Bovary, who earned more than $700,000.

◗ Patrick Valenzuela has the mount for John Haagsma.