Speedy New Mexico-breds tangle in Mt. Cristo Rey

There is no shortage of speed Sunday in the $85,000 Mt. Cristo Rey Handicap at Sunland Park. It comes courtesy of stakes winners Forger, Weappear, Mr. Mooch, and Wheredoesthecashgo.

The Mt. Cristo Rey, which will be run over 4 1/2 furlongs, is for 3-year-olds and up bred in New Mexico.

The race drew a field of eight, with Hollywood Henry the 124-pound highweight off back-to-back allowance sprint wins at Sunland.

KEY CONTENDERS

Hollywood Henry, by Roll Hennessy Roll
Last 3 Beyers: 76-87-NA

◗ Hollywood Henry has shown versatility in his races. He won an allowance in his last start Feb. 24, dueling through an opening quarter in 43.76 seconds and covering the six furlongs in 1:08.66. One start prior, Hollywood Henry sat just off the pace before taking a 5 1/2-furlong allowance in a blazing 1:02.04.

◗ Ry Eikleberry has the mount from post 3, with speed horses Wheredoesthecashgo and Mr. Mooch breaking to Hollywood Henry’s immediate inside Sunday.

◗ Hollywood Henry is looking for his first stakes win after running second or third in four of his stakes appearances. He is owned by Bennie Vanecek and trained by Henry Dominguez.

Weappear, by Devon Lane
Last 3 Beyers: 93-88-65

◗ He’s making his first start since August and shows some strong works for owner and trainer Nancy Summers.

◗ Weappear is back racing with straight Thoroughbreds after closing out his season in a pair of 870-yard races open to Quarter Horses. He was second by a neck in the Zia 870-yard Championship on July 29 at Ruidoso Downs, then won a no-conditions allowance at the same distance Aug. 19 at the Downs at Albuquerque.

◗ Weappear last started in a Thoroughbred race May 6, finishing third by a length in a 4 1/2-furlong sprint against open company at SunRay Park. Weappear ran second in the 2017 Mt. Cristo Rey.

◗ Duane Sterling has the mount from post 6.

Wheredoesthecashgo, By Southwestern Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 54-75-NA

◗ He has excellent speed, which should help him hold his position from the rail.

◗ Francisco Amparan has the mount for trainer Joel Marr.

◗ Wheredoesthecashgo is a stakes winner and a half-brother to two other stakes winners, including Liberty Lover, an earner of $356,917.