Sunland: Winsham looks wide open

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. - A field of 12 older horses will contest the $50,000-added, one-mile Winsham Lad Handicap at Sunland Park, and the three logical choices all offer different angles for players to consider.

The most obvious choice is Big Numbers, a Steve Asmussen-trained 6-year-old who is a consistent performer in routes. Big Numbers has already had a race over the track, winning against tough allowance foes at a mile here Dec. 28. Before that, Big Numbers was a well-beaten fourth in the Great State Challenge Classic at Sam Houston. He breaks from post 12 Saturday under jockey Luis Quinonez.

American Pastime, trained by Todd Fincher, has been the top sprinter at the meet and now stretches out. Claimed for $50,000 at Santa Anita in October, American Pastime is 2 for 2 at this meet, including a win in the KLAQ Handicap here Nov. 23. American Pastime also did not fare well at the draw, getting post 10, and jockey Ricard Jaime will have to use his speed early or risk being hung wide on the clubhouse turn.

Premeditation is making his first start as a 4-year-old in a tough spot, but he raced very well against top competition here as a 3-year-old. Of the top contenders, he is the only one with an inside post.

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