SUNLAND PARK – Trainer Eric Valenzuela will saddle morning-line favorite Bridger in Saturday’s 30th running of the New Mexican Spring Futurity (R-G2), one of several stakes races on the program as the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino season approaches its final day.
Bridger, owned by Tungsten Racing Partnership and Rancho El 48 LLC and bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms, became the fastest qualifier for the New Mexican Spring Futurity after winning his trial heat March 14 in 14.978 seconds for 300 yards. The son of Eye Am King won his trial by 2 lengths under jockey Jose Ortiz, who returns to the irons.
Bridger is one of three runners Valenzuela qualified for the final. The trainer will also be represented by Super Patriot, a narrow winner in his trial under Jose Enriquez, and Big Ted, who earned his spot with a trial win under Jordy Muniz.
Bridger is the 3-1 morning-line favorite and will break from post six in the 10-horse field. The New Mexican Spring Futurity carries a purse of $389,493 and is the 11th race on Saturday’s 12-race program.
Trainer Xavier Rodriguez also enters a trio of starters. Headlining that group is Bogarts Brown Sugar, who broke his maiden in his debut to become the sixth-fastest qualifier. The son of Bogart will break from post two with Luis Martinez slated to ride.
Rodriguez also sends out Bigg Twist with rider Jesus Ayala and Moonin The Moon with Noe Garcia Jr.
Trainer Clinton Crawford will saddle Big Avery, the second-fastest qualifier, with jockey Jacob Enriquez. The son Big Daddy Cartel won his trial by 1 1/4 lengths in 15.136 seconds and will break from post eight as the 7-2 second choice.
Post time for the New Mexican Spring Futurity is 4:45 p.m.
Valenzuela will be represented by a trio of starters, including 3-to-1 morning line favorite Tempting Lu in Saturday’s 66th running of the $353,471 Grade 2 West Texas Futurity, the 12th and final race on the Saturday program.
Tempting Lu was a romping winner in her debut March 13, breaking her maiden by more than 2 lengths and racing her way to the role of fastest qualifier racing 300 yards in a time of 15.002 seconds. Tempting Lu will be ridden once again by Jose Enriquez and will break from post four in the 10-horse field.
Valenzuela will also saddle longshots Nine Degrees and GBH Cowboy in the West Texas Futurity.
Trainer Clinton Crawford will send out Tater Hill Senator in the West Texas Futurity, listed as the 7-to-2 second choice on the morning line.
Owned by H.E. “Sam” and Jacque M. Rich, the Texas-bred son of Cyber Monday won his debut by 1 1-2 lengths in a time of 15.078 seconds under Jacob Enriquez, who will be back aboard in the Futurity when they break from post eight.
Trainer Xavier Rodriguez will be seeking his second straight winner in the West Texas Futurity when he sends Chief Keef 123 from the rail under jockey Luis Martinez.
The son of Flying Cowboy 123 is owned by La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and Ray Willis. He won his debut by nearly two lengths in a time of 15.154 seconds.
Rodriguez trained Political Twist to victory in last year’s West Texas Futurity.
An evenly matched field of seven state-bred 3-year-olds will reach the starting gate Saturday for the 33rd edition of the $80,000 New Mexico Horse Breeders Association Quarter Horse Stakes. It is one of five stakes races on the second-to-last day of the live season at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
Trainer Wes Giles will saddle CQ Coyame Jessy, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, with Noe Garcia Jr. slated to ride. The son of Big Daddy Cartel will be making his first start since a third-place finish in the New Mexico Classic Futurity last November at Zia Park.
A two-time winner from eight career starts, CQ Coyame Jessy has earned more than $124,000. Owned by Israel Bordier, CQ Coyame Jessy was fourth in his only other stakes race, the New Mexico State Fair Futurity last October at Albuquerque Downs. He will break from post two in the NMHBA QH Stakes, which is the eighth race on Saturday’s program.
Trainer James J. Gonzales III will have as many as three starters in the field, including stakes winner Triple 7, listed as the 7-2 third choice and the only stakes winner in the field.
Triple 7 won the New Mexico Classic Juvenile Stakes last November and has two wins from seven starts. He finished off the board in his most recent start. He will be ridden by Christian Ramos from post five.
Gonzales is also scheduled to saddle Icy Cartel and Prime Time Eagle in the 400-yard dash.
Trainer Salvador Soto will be represented by a pair of starters, including three-time winner Holliday, the 3-1 second choice. The son of Big Daddy Cartel broke his maiden in his debut over this course last year before finishing third in the New Mexican Spring Futurity.
With earnings of more than $137,000, Holliday will look to snap a two-race losing streak when he loads into post four under jockey Gabriel Medrano. Soto will also send out recent maiden winner Dads On A Roll.