Sunland: Sawyer rematch

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. - Saturday's $125,000-added La Senora Handicap at Sunland Park, for New Mexico-bred 3-year-old fillies, shapes up as a rematch of last September's Deffie Sawyer Futurity at Albuquerque. The six-furlong La Senora attracted the first three finishers in the Deffie Sawyer: winner Miss Trixie, runner-up Shemoveslikeaghost, and Jackie Jan.

Miss Trixie will be favored on Saturday. Miss Trixie, owned by William and Martha Gallaway, has raced twice at this meet against open company and more than held her own. She was beaten a nose by Valid Pulpit in the Princess Stakes in November and easily won an allowance last out on Dec. 21. Trainer Todd Fincher has spaced out Miss Trixie's races and from all appearances she looks to be ready for a top effort. Leading rider Ricardo Jaime has the return engagement.

Shemoveslikeaghost was beaten a neck as the favorite in the Sawyer, and then was given a three-month break. She returned Jan. 5 and won impressively in an allowance race. Her connections, owner William T. Stradley and trainer Fred Danley, are coming off a triumph with Gulchrunssweet in last week's Pepsi Cola Handicap. Jorge Bourdieu has the call on Shemoveslikeaghost.

Jackie Jan also was given a vacation after the Sawyer and makes her return in the La Senora. Jackie Jan, owned by Leslie and Pierre Amestoy, is a maiden, with six seconds in seven starts. But three of those placings have come in stakes and she has earned more than $58,000.

Jackie Jan has a series of solid workouts leading up to this race and her trainer, Lorence Lucero, has a 7-4-0 record from 18 starts at this meet. C.J. McMahon is named to ride.