Sunland Park: Alsono tries to add to sprint credentials in KHEY Sprint

Alsono arrived on the New Mexico racing scene a maiden last fall, but has since established himself as one of the state’s top young sprinters.

His status will be challenged on Sunday, when the undefeated My Rochester invades from Arizona for the $50,000 KHEY Sprint.
The horses will start as the top choices in the six-furlong race for 3-year-olds and break side by side.

Alsono began his career in Kentucky, and changed hands after a runner-up finish in a maiden special weight race at Churchill Downs in May. He was purchased by Tony Pennington and sent to trainer Justin Evans in New Mexico, where the horse won his maiden at 5 1/2 furlongs at Zia.

Alsono then captured the $55,000 Governor’s Cup, a six-furlong race at Zia on Oct. 15. He tried two turns for the first time one start later, in the $104,800 Riley Alison Futurity at Sunland on Dec. 22, and after a third-place finish returned to his best game, sprinting, for an optional-claiming win at the track Jan. 10.

Alsono figures to be prominent early Sunday under jockey Cliff Berry.

My Rochester won the $35,000 Lost in the Fog Juvenile at Turf Paradise in his last start Dec. 28, closing from sixth after a slow break from the rail.