Two Sunland youngsters with a future

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. - Two impressive Sunland Park maiden winners Tuesday could be worth following.

In the fifth, trainer Clifford Lambert sent out Sky Sprite, a 3-year-old Skywalker filly who was making her third start after having broken poorly in her first two races. Sky Sprite got away cleanly this time and demolished a special weights field by nearly 11 lengths. A $45,000 yearling purchase at the Keeneland September sale in 2000, Sky Sprite, who is owned by Clarence Bogle, covered the six furlongs under jockey Jorge Bourdieu in 1:12.96 and returned $3.60.

In the ninth, owner-breeder Gary Clements's 3-year-old colt Streak of Royalty made his debut in eye-catching fashion, trouncing his opposition by more than 10 lengths after an awkward start. A son of Regal Classic who is trained Fred Danley, Streak of Royalty returned $12.40. Streak of Royalty was timed in 1:05.70 for the 5 1/2 furlongs under Alfredo Jaurez Jr.

Times for Tuesday's races were on the slow side after three days of rain, which turned the normally fast track into a thick soup.

Saturday's feature, the $30,000-added Curribot Handicap for older horses at a 1 1/16 miles, has attracted a strong field of 12. Brew, a 6-year-old co-track record holder at the distance, comes off losses in his first two races following a layoff. Accomodator was the upset winner of this race last year and is coming off consecutive wins, including a narrow victory over Brew last time out. The probable favorite, however, will be the 4-year-old Beehay, who on Jan. 12 was an impressive winner of the Winsham Lad Handicap. At 3, Beehay won four stakes, including the Colorado Derby at Arapahoe Park.