Sunland Park: Homerun Berti aims for fourth straight win in Budweiser Handicap

Homerun Berti will be seeking his fourth consecutive win when he launches his 8-year-old season Saturday in the $50,000 Budweiser Handicap at Sunland Park. He is the 126-pound highweight in the five-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up, which drew six horses, including multiple stakes winners City Sage and Anzaki.

Homerun Berti has established himself as arguably the top sprinter in New Mexico since arriving last fall. He won a $30,000 optional claimer at Zia Park in his second start in the state Oct. 21, then followed with stakes wins in the $55,000 Lea County at Zia on Nov. 13 and the $50,000 KLAQ at Sunland in his most recent start Dec. 7.

Speed has been Homerun Berti’s weapon of choice. He ran the opening half-mile of the Lea County in 43.04 seconds before winning the 5 1/2-furlong race in a blazing 1:01.73. Homerun Berti figures to again be prominent Saturday when he breaks from post 5 under regular rider Ry Eikleberry.

Justin Evans trains Homerun Berti for SEJ Stables. Homerun Berti is a gelding by Forestry, while his dam, Allamerican Bertie, was a multiple Grade 2 winner who earned $799,235.