Sunland Park juveniles go for early stakes

Miss Bullette can become one of the first 2-year-old stakes winners of the year Saturday, when she starts as the probable favorite in the $75,000 Copper Top Futurity at Sunland Park.

The 4 1/2-furlong race is restricted to fillies bred in New Mexico.

Miss Bullette made her career debut in the Copper Top trials March 29 and dominated the competition. She separated herself from the field soon after the break, taking a 1 1/2-length lead through an opening quarter in 22 seconds. Miss Bullette increased her advantage to the wire and won by 4 3/4 lengths. She covered the 4 1/2 furlongs in 51.80 seconds, making the trial the quickest for the Copper Top.

Miss Bullette earned a 60 Beyer, the best career number in the field of 10 on Saturday. Miguel Hernandez has the mount from post 6. Miss Bullette is co-owned and trained by Todd Fincher, who will also send out Betsy D Cat. Betsy D Cat missed by a head in her trial, which was her career debut. She and the winner, Haylee’s Move, were assigned a Beyer Figure of 49, the second-best number in the Copper Top.

Sunland will close its meet Tuesday. The Copper Top is one of a handful of stakes being run over the final dates of the season. Other top races include the $100,000 Sunland Park Handicap on Sunday.