Sunland: Espeedytoo in tough

SUNLAND PARK N.M. - Espeedytoo, the New Mexico-bred 3-year-old filly sensation of last year, will take on open company in Saturday's $50,000-added Bold Ego Handicap for older fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Espeedytoo, owned by Bruce Dunmore, has beaten older fillies before, most recently in the New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap here Nov. 24. But that was against statebreds and she will have new challengers in the Bold Ego. Trainer Carl Dyer has managed Espeedytoo's career judiciously, and last year she won 9 of 16 races and earned $321,094. But with no statebred stakes for her on the horizon at Sunland, Espeedytoo is being forced out of her comfort zone. Regular jockey Travis Wales will have the mount.

Trainer Steve Asmussen invades Sunland once again for the Bold Ego, and as usual his entry will be a force. Goodness, a 4-year-old Hennessy filly, won the San Felipe Stakes at Sam Houston last out Dec. 7 for her second stakes win, and has earned almost $100,000 in 12 starts. Goodness, owned by the Heligbrodt Racing Stables, will have Casey Lambert in the irons.

Hava Peer, owned by John H. Williams, is the toughest of the older fillies entered. Now 7, she beat tough allowance company by almost 16 lengths going a mile in her first start of the meet.

Hava Peer is trained by Ralph Black Jr. and Jorge Bourdieu will be in the saddle.