Zia Park Distaff nice spot for Hayley's Halo

Hayley’s Halo has dominated New Mexico’s filly and mare division all year long, with five stakes wins since February. She will attempt to continue her reign Saturday, when she faces eight others, including Southern California invader Chalula One, in the $55,000 Zia Park Distaff.

The field for the six-furlong race for fillies and mares also includes Queen Greeley, the winner of the $40,000 Columbine this past summer at Arapahoe Park.

Hayley’s Halo has won stakes in her last four starts, all at different tracks in New Mexico. Saturday’s race will be her first since Oct. 2, when she won the $60,000 Chaves County at Zia.

“We keep her races spread apart,” said Henry Dominguez, who trains Hayley’s Halo for her breeder, Lathrop Hoffman. “She gets six, seven weeks between races, and that’s real good for her.

“She’s doing everything we’ve asked her to do – six furlongs to a mile, she just performs.”

Hayley’s Halo began her current win streak last April at Sunland Park, with a romp in the $50,000 Czaria. She proceeded to win stakes at Ruidoso Downs and Sun Ray Park in May and June before taking the Chaves County. For the Distaff, Hayley’s Halo will be turning back from a mile, the same pattern she used to win the race in 2010.

Hayley’s Halo could get a tracking trip on the cutback from two turns, perhaps sitting just off Loose Play and D’Elegance. She will break from post 5 under regular rider Alejandro Medellin.

Hayley’s Halo has won seven stakes. She is a 4-year-old by the Storm Cat stallion Sea of Secrets.

Chalula One, who is from the female family of multiple Grade 1 winner The Tin Man, will be making her Zia debut after finishing sixth in last month’s $67,000 Louis R. Rowan at Santa Anita. Before that race, she won the $50,000 Bangles and Beads at Fairplex.

Chalula One might get a nice stalking trip in the Distaff. She will break from post 2, and could settle in behind Loose Play, D’Elegance and Hayley’s Halo. Alfredo Juarez Jr. has the mount for trainer Bart Hone.

Queen Greeley has been second to Hayley’s Halo in three stakes this year, the Chaves County, the Dr. O.G. Fischer Memorial at SunRay Park, and the $40,000 First Lady at Ruidoso Downs. When she escaped Hayley’s Halo in July, she rolled to a five-length win in the Columbine.