Whirl going for revenge at Sunland

Whirl, who has won 4 of his last 5 starts, appears to have several points in his favor when he tries to turn the tables on Ducky Drake in the $50,000 KLAQ Handicap at Sunland Park. The 5 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up opens the stakes program at the New Mexico track, which began its meet Wednesday.

Ducky Drake broke Whirl's four-race winning streak last month when he won the $60,000 Zia Park Express. Whirl finished third in that 6 1/2-furlong race after setting the pace, and his speed should serve him well at the 5 1/2-furlong distance Saturday.

Whirl also drew well for the KLAQ, getting post 7. Ducky Drake, meanwhile, drew the widest gate in the field of 11. Whirl also will tote one pound fewer than Ducky Drake, assigned 121 pounds in the handicap versus the 122 that will be carried by Ducky Drake.

Whirl was claimed for $15,000 at Churchill Downs in June, then traveled to New Mexico. He won an allowance and the $45,000 Charlie Iles Express at Albuquerque. He then took his show to Zia Park, where he won the $151,000 Premier Breeders' Cup on Sept. 23, and an allowance over Ducky Drake on Oct. 20.

Greg Green trains Whirl for Henderson Stables. The gelding will be ridden by Alex Jimenez. Bart Hone trains Ducky Drake, who races for Todd and Ralph Aury and will be ridden by Mark Villa.