Wind Water back to his favorite state

None of the starters in the $50,000 Free Spirits Handicap at Ruidoso Downs has raced more than 20 times in their careers except for Wind Water, who will be looking for his 20th win Saturday when he starts in the six-furlong race. He is the 123-pound highweight against a field of up-and-comers that includes Cajun Gent, who began his career in Southern California, and Happy Humor, who started out in New York.

Wind Water, a 7-year-old winner of 19 of 53 starts and $777,451, has been a staple in the Southwest stakes ranks over the past couple of years. He invades Saturday from Lone Star Park near Dallas, where he was second in the $50,000 Express at six furlongs on

May 16.

Wind Water dueled on the lead before being overtaken as the favorite by Gold Coyote, who is scheduled to run back Saturday in the $50,000 Carter McGregor Jr. for Texas-breds at Lone Star. As for Wind Water, he is returning to New Mexico, where he has registered his last three stakes wins, the latest at Sunland Park in March.

Wind Water drew post 8 for the Free Spirits, and the post should serve the front-runner well as he will be situated outside of potential pace rivals Cajun Gent and Vital Force. A.J. Juarez Jr. has the mount on Wind Water for trainer Chris Hartman.

Cajun Gent was second by a nose in a 4 1/2-furlong allowance at SunRay Park in his last start May 23. Happy Humor also last raced at SunRay, finishing third in the $40,000 Inaugural on April 18.