Streaks Bro cuts back to sprint for Jamison

Several New Mexico Cup stakes winners from the recent $2 million card at Zia are at Sunland Park for Sunday’s statebred stakes double.

Streaks Bro, who won the New Mexico Cup Classic, D E Lover (Sprint), and Ten Penny Cents (Derby), all will clash in the $85,000 Johnie L. Jamison Handicap. Diabolical Dame (Distaff) and Tilla Cat (Oaks) will meet for the first time in the $85,000 New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap.

The Jamison, for 3-year-olds and up at 6 1/2 furlongs, and the New Mexico Racing Commission Handicap, for fillies and mares at six furlongs, are among the first stakes of the Sunland meet, which opened Friday.

Streaks Bro won the richest Thoroughbred race on the New Mexico Cup card Oct. 30 at Zia, when he proved 2 3/4 lengths best in the $180,000 Classic. The race came over a mile; he will be cutting back to a sprint distance for the first time in more than a year for the 12-horse Jamison.

The one-turn trip could be more suited to D E Lover, who won the $170,000 Sprint by three lengths last out at Zia. He has tactical speed, and could either show the way Sunday or track Stormin the Jewels, a quick horse who will break to his inside. If the pace is hot, it might benefit Ten Penny Cents, who closed from next to last to win the $140,000 Derby at six furlongs last out at Zia.

Streaks Bro will break from the rail, with Francisco Giles to ride for trainer Gary Cross. D E Lover, the 124-pound highweight, is set to start from post 6; Frank Reyes has the mount for trainer Tony Sedillo. Ten Penny Cents will break from post 7, with Elvin Gonzalez up for trainer Weston Martin.

In the eight-horse Racing Commission Handicap, the focus will be on 122-pound highweight Diabolical Dame. She was a 6 1/4-length winner of the $140,000 Distaff, a six-furlong race Oct. 30 at Zia. Earlier in her career, Diabolical Dame won seven straight races, including five stakes led by the 2015 running of the New Mexico Cup Oaks. Tracy Hebert has the mount from post 4.

Todd Fincher trains Diabolical Dame as well as Tilla Cat, who is seeking her third straight win in a streak that began in this year’s $140,000 New Mexico Cup Oaks.