Sunland Park track report

Hecamefromaclaim will be returning from a three-month layoff for the $125,000 Challenger Six Handicap for New Mexico-breds at Sunland Park, but the class move he makes for the 870-yard race erases concern about his lack of recency. It is the first stakes of the Sunland meet, featuring Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds.

Hecamefromaclaim, a Thoroughbred, beat open company in the Grade 3 Brigand Handicap at Ruidoso Downs in his last start Sept. 4, closing fast to win the 1,000-yard mixed breed race. It was the second Grade 3 win in his career, following one in the 870-yard Getaway in April at Sunland.

Hecamefromaclaim, who is shooting for his third straight win, shows a series of good works for his return for trainer Todd Fincher. Fincher has another top prospect in the race, Secret Frills, who is a Quarter Horse. He was second in last year's Challenger Six.

Hecamefromaclaim is one of two Thoroughbreds in this year's running. The other is Escondido. In his first mixed-breed race last out, Escondido turned in an explosive, nearly last-to-first effort to win a $68,000 handicap at SunRay Park. That start was his first since February 2003, and he figures to move forward Sunday, for trainer Dan Dennison.

Other top Quarter Horses in the race include We Will Dance, the defending champ in the Challenger Six, who has not raced since April. Nevertheless, he has won three of his last four starts, and his career earnings of $247,195 is tops among all starters Sunday. He is trained by Dawna Anderson.