Wyatt seeks fifth straight win in Johnie L. Jamison Handicap
Wyatt must contend with nine rivals and the highest weight assignment on Sunday when he attempts to win his fifth consecutive race in the $85,000 Johnie L. Jamison Handicap at Sunland Park. The 6 1/2-furlong race is one of two stakes on the card. My Dandy Girl will be cutting back to one turn while seeking to win her fourth straight race in the $85,000 New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap.
Both stakes drew a handful of winners from the $2 million New Mexico Classic Cup program last month at Zia Park. Wyatt accounted for the New Mexico Classic Cup Sprint, while one of his rivals in the Johnie L. Jamison, Golly Gee, won the New Mexico Classic Cup Derby.
In the Racing Commission Handicap, for fillies and mares at six furlongs, My Dandy Girl, who captured the New Mexico Classic Cup Filly and Mare Championship, will face Hurricane Hush, the winner of the New Mexico Classic Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
Both the Johnie L. Jamison and the Racing Commission Handicap are restricted to 3-year-olds and up bred in New Mexico.
KEY CONTENDERS
JOHNIE L. JAMISON (RACE 9)
Wyatt (Last 3 Beyers: 69-70-80)
◗ He’s been on top of his game for a long time, with his current streak launched in an optional $15,000 claiming race Aug. 1 at SunRay Park. He proceeded to win at that level Sept. 15 at The Downs at Albuquerque, then took that track’s $60,000 New Mexico Horse Breeders Thoroughbred Handicap before his success in the New Mexico Classic Cup.
◗ Wyatt rallied from well off the pace in the New Mexico Classic Cup while turning back to six furlongs from 1 1/16 miles. He could be closer to the pace in his second straight sprint Sunday.
◗ Wyatt will tote 123 pounds as the highweight and will be spotting his rivals four to nine pounds each. Pedro Benitez has the mount for C.P. Hourigan and trainer Ever Olguin.
Golly Gee (Last 3 Beyers: 73-76-66)
◗ He will be taking on older rivals after defeating 3-year-olds in the New Mexico Classic Cup. He rallied from last to win his six-furlong division in a sharp 1:10.
◗ Golly Gee was an allowance winner last season at Sunland.
NEW MEXICO STATE RACING COMMISSION (RACE 7)
My Dandy Girl (Last 3 Beyers: 73-68-64)
◗ She won at a mile last out in the New Mexico Classic Cup but started her current streak at six furlongs in a $12,500 optional claimer Oct. 13 at Zia. Alejandro Medellin has the mount for trainer Tony Sedillo.
Hurricane Hush (Last 3 Beyers: 70-51-46)
◗ She was a three-quarter-length winner of her New Mexico Classic Cup division to improve her record to 4 for 8.