Zia: Toews On Ice makes first start for new connections

Toews On Ice will be making his New Mexico debut in the Tuesday feature at Zia Park. He will be going for new connections in an optional $35,000 claiming sprint and figures to start as a strong favorite off a track-record performance at Los Alamitos.

Toews On Ice made some national noise last year when he ran second to Mor Spirit in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity and won the Grade 3 Bob Hope at Del Mar. He raced for the partnership of Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman and was trained by Bob Baffert but is now based at Zia after a private purchase by A and A Equine and Gino Roncelli.

“We’re really excited about him,” said trainer Justin Evans. “He’s a 3-year-old. He’s fast. I think he could be anything out here.”

Evans hopes Tuesday’s race, which is for 3-year-olds and up over six furlongs, will serve as Toews On Ice’s springboard to the $75,000 Zia Park Sprint on Nov. 23. The horse will break from post 3, one start after winning a six-furlong optional claimer in a blazing 1:07.79.

“He set the track record the other day at Los Al,” Evans said. “It’s a tough little race Tuesday. It’s a competitive race. It’s a good starting spot to get a race over the track.”

Toews On Ice owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 97, for his Sept. 11 win at Los Alamitos.

Others set to start include Mr. Wizard, the winner of last year’s $191,000 New Mexico Cup Classic at a mile at Zia; Redneck Humor, a multiple stakes winner; and Get a Notion, who was second by a neck last out in the Premier Cup at Zia.

Roimes Chirinos was named to ride Toews On Ice, but he will be off his mounts Tuesday after breaking both of his shoulder blades and two ribs in a five-horse spill Tuesday at Zia. He was scheduled to be released from a local hospital Friday, said his agent, Stan Johnson, who had X-rays sent to a specialist in Dallas.

“From all preliminary indications, he doesn’t need surgery,” said Johnson.

Eikleberry to return soon

Jockey Ry Eikleberry, who in the same spill sustained a concussion, sprained his right ankle, and fractured a couple of toes on his left foot, hopes to resume riding within the next week or so, he said Thursday.

“I came out pretty lucky,” said Eikleberry, 27.

The riders were part of a chain-reaction spill following a heel-clipping incident. The other riders who went down were Miguel Fuentes Jr., Alfredo Sigala, and J.C. Villanueva.

◗ The Texas Racing Commission has tentatively scheduled a November meeting to approve the sale of the inactive Manor Downs license to the ownership of Sam Houston Race Park, according to an official. Manor is a shuttered track in Austin that had conducted a small meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses.

◗ Let’s Meet In Rio, an allowance winner Oct. 10 at Zia, is being pointed for the $200,000 Zia Park Derby on Nov. 23, said trainer Justin Evans. Earlier this year, the horse was second in the Grade 3 Sham at Santa Anita.