Zia Park: Warren's Knockout set up nicely in Lea County

There is no shortage of speed in the $55,000 Lea County at Zia Park on Wednesday in a scenario that could bode well for Warren’s Knockout. He enters the 5 1/2-furlong sprint in top form, having won three of his last four starts, including a $40,000 optional-claiming sprint from off the pace Oct. 6.

“It looks like it sets up really good for him,” said Justin Evans, who trains Warren’s Knockout. “It looks like four speed horses and him. Plus, he drew outside.”

Warren’s Knockout is part of a six-horse field for the Lea County, and every horse has won sprints wire to wire, including his stablemate Homerun Berti, who set a track record last out at Zia; City Sage, a stakes winner at Oaklawn; and Wiredfortwotwenty, a stakes winner at Prairie Meadows.

Warren’s Knockout recaptured his best form this summer, when he won a $40,000 optional claimer at Lone Star Park in July. He earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 100. Warren’s Knockout proceeded to win the $25,000 Budweiser Special at Albuquerque, finish second in the $100,000 Premiere Cup at Zia, then stalked and pounced in the optional claimer, also at Zia.

Evans, who is the meet’s leading trainer, said there are a handful of reasons for the sharp recent form from Warren’s Knockout, who races for Len Schermer.

“He’s one of those horses we never really could get him in the right spots,” Evans said. “The races were too short, too far. Finally, we got in a groove, six, six and a half furlongs.”

Warren’s Knockout will break from post 5, under Alfredo Juarez Jr.

Homerun Berti won a 6 1/2-furlong optional claimer in a track-record 1:14.40 at Zia in his last start Oct. 21. It was his second start for Evans and owner SEJ Stables after being purchased for $35,000 out of the Fasig-Tipton summer selected horses of racing age auction in Kentucky in July.

“It looked like he was just galloping,” said Evans, who has given the mount to Ry Eikleberry.

Jaycito to Zia Championship

Grade 1 winner Jaycito, purchased for $50,000 out of the same auction as Homerun Berti, is being pointed to the $150,000 Zia Park Distance Championship on Nov. 24, Evans said.

The race will be the horse’s first since finishing fifth in a $62,500 optional claimer at Betfair Hollywood Park on July 7. Jaycito is owned by Tony Pennington.