Sunland: Bourdieu presses Montoya

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. - A few weeks ago Daryl Montoya seemed in a safe position to win another Sunland riding title. But since then Jorge Bourdieu has gotten hot.

With three days left in the meet going into Friday, Bourdieu had cut the lead to three wins, leap-frogging over Nena Matz. Montoya has taken 321 mounts to win 46 races, compared to Bourdieu's 188 mounts and 43 wins. Matz is in third with 36 wins.

Musical Chairs was a Southern California castaway when he arrived in trainer Johnie Jamison's barn in January, but he has taken a liking to racing here, and reeled off four consecutive wins.

On Tuesday he was especially impressive, winning a classified allowance race by just over a length. He returned $4.40 as the favorite.