Talented trio tunes up for Distance Championship

The $55,000 purse of the Veterans Stakes at Zia Park on Monday belies the depth of the field. Isn’t He Clever, Ol Winedrinker Who, and Forest Mouse – all multiple stakes winners who collectively have earned more than $1.7 million – are part of a deep cast for the 1 1/16-mile race.

For the trio, the Veterans is expected to served as their stepping-stone to the $150,000 Zia Park Distance Championship.

Ol Winedrinker Who won the Distance Championship a year ago, storming to a 3 1/4-length win after taking the Veterans. Forest Mouse is also a past winner of the Distance Championship, while Isn’t He Clever is targeting this year’s renewal Nov. 26.

“We were thinking about taking him to California, but since he loves New Mexico so much, we’re going to keep him here,” said Henry Dominguez, who trains Isn’t He Clever for J. Kirk and Judy Robison.

Veterans Stakes (Race 10)

KEY CONTENDERS

Isn’t He Clever (Last 3 Beyers: 94-81-96)

◗ He set a track record in his last start, when he won the $100,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap, covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:48. Earlier this year, he rolled to a 9 1/2-length win in the $75,000 Sunland Park Handicap.

“Whenever he’s on top of his game, he’s really tough,” said Dominguez.

◗Isn’t He Clever will be shooting for his eighth stakes win Monday. Overall, he is a winner of 10 of 23 starts and $704,085.

◗Isn’t He Clever will break from post 4 in the field of nine under regular rider Enrique Gomez.

Ol Winedrinker Who (Last 3 Beyers: 82-90-96)

◗He finished fourth in the Downs at Albuquerque Handicap, one start after winning the Ruidoso Downs Thoroughbred Championship.

◗Ol Winedrinker Who is a five-time stakes winner who overall is 9 for 26 with earnings of $442,847.

◗Joel Marr, closing in on 1,000 Thoroughbred wins for his training career, has given the mount to Carlos Madeira.

Forest Mouse (Last 3 Beyers: 91-88-86)

◗He is a seven-time stakes winner who boasts a career record of 17 wins from 39 starts for earnings of $588,877.

◗Forest Mouse rolled in a Zia allowance in his last start Oct. 11.