Zia Park Derby Tops Land of Enchantment Day Stakes

The $250,000 Zia Park Derby and $250,000 Zia Park Oaks top a list of seven stakes races offered Nov. 27 as part of Zia Park's seventh annual Land of Enchantment Day program.

Local trainer Todd Fincher will saddle a pair of 3-year-old geldings in the 1 1/16-mile Zia Park Derby, including Dale F. Taylor Racing, Bobby McQueen, and Suzanne Kirby's Hustle Up. The son of Abstraction has won 10 of 14 starts, including four black-type stakes. He won the Mine That Bird Derby against open competition in February, and enters off two scores against New Mexico-breds.

Fincher also entered Sherriff Brown, a Kentucky homebred for Joe Peacock making his third start off an eight-month layoff. The son of Curlin  has won or placed in all six starts. The Zia Park Derby will be his first race beyond a mile.

"He's by Curlin, so the further the better for him," Fincher said.

Roy Cobb's homebred Mr Money Bags, a 3-year-old Silver City gelding foaled in Texas, returns off a nose victory in the Oct. 28 Roadrunner Stakes at Zia. He's won three other stakes against restricted and state-bred company—two by 11 1/2 lengths and one by seven lengths. He was sixth in the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows two starts back, his only other attempt beyond a mile.

"This horse does his best running when he can get the lead," said trainer Mike Neatherlin. "I kept him out at Zia in Casey Lambert's barn after the Roadrunner and he has been training well. He and (jockey) Ernesto (Valdez-Jiminez) get along well; I think he's set to run his best race."

California shippers include Dueling and Proverb. Dueling, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, was fourth beaten three-quarters of a length in the Nov. 9 Let It Ride Stakes at Del Mar. Grade 3-placed Proverb finished second beaten a neck last out in an Oct. 20 allowance/optional claimer going a mile at Santa Anita Park. It was his first start with trainer Richard Baltas following a four-month layoff.

Baltas is expected to ship two 3-year-old fillies for the 1 1/16-mile Zia Park Oaks. Both are fairly new additions to his barn. Motion Emotion made her first start for the trainer in September and Horologist first raced for Baltas in October.

Motion Emotion, campaigned by Abbondanza Racing, Marc DeDomenico, and Medallion Racing, was runner-up in two graded stakes events during Oaklawn Park's meet. The Take Charge Indy  filly was beaten a length in both the Fantasy Stakes (G3) and the Honeybee Stakes (G3) before finishing unplaced in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) in May. She was second in her most recent effort Oct. 18, beaten a neck going Wednesday's distance in an allowance/optional claimer at Keeneland.

"She's been breezing really well," Baltas said. "Mario (Gutierrez, who has the mount) has ridden at Zia before; I like her chances."

Baltas trains Horologist for There's A Chance Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racing, and Abbondanza Racing. The Gemologist  filly won the Smart N Classy Handicap and Monmouth Oaks (G3), both at Monmouth Park, before finishing third in the Cotillion Stakes (G1) at Parx Racing. In her one start with Baltas she finished ninth in Keeneland's Oct. 19 Raven Run Stakes (G2). Horologist tuned up for the Zia Park Oaks with a sharp five-furlong move in 1:00 3/5.

"The race at Keeneland was my first time to run her," Baltas said. "We brought her back to California, she has put on some weight, and she breezed on (Nov. 14)."

Also entered is Hollendorfer's Calf Moon Bay, who has not raced since finishing third in the Feb. 9 Las Virgenes Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita.

Hall of Fame Trainer Steve Asmussen entered eight for Wednesday's races, which were drawn Nov. 19, but will scratch seven of them stabled at Remington Park. Penn National Gaming, which owns Zia Park, announced restrictions Nov. 23 on horses from Remington due to multiple Equine Herpesvirus cases at the Oklahoma track. The New Mexico Racing Commission also ruled that no horses from Remington can ship to Zia Park.

Among those Asmussen will scratch are Zia Park Derby entrants Bankit and Tone Broke, as well as Zia Park Oaks morning-line favorite Lady Apple. A total of nine horses stabled at Remington and entered for Wednesday will not ship.

"Obviously, this is a disappointing development for the richest day of our 2019 live racing season," said Mike Shamburg, Zia Park's racing secretary. "However, we still have some quality shippers and local horses that should put on a good performance for the Land of Enchantment card."

Wednesday's card also features the $150,000 Zia Park Championship Handicap, for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles; the $100,000 Zia Park Sprint, for 3-year-olds and up going six furlongs; the $100,000 Zia Park Distaff, for fillies and mares aged 3 and older going six furlongs; the $75,000 Zia Park Juvenile, for 2-year-olds going six furlongs; and the $75,000 Zia Park Princess, for fillies 2 years old going six furlongs.

The respective 1-2-3 finishers of Zia's Oct. 28 Veterans Stakes—Bokeelia Island, Sky Promise, and Sphene—are expected to meet again in the Championship Handicap. They'll face Restrainedvengence, a multiple stakes winner on California's turf.

Restrainedvengence has been close to making the grade twice. He was third beaten a neck in the Longacres Mile Handicap (G3) at Emerald Downs and second beaten a head Santa Anita's City of Hope Mile (G2T). The 4-year-old Hold Me Back gelding won the Rolling Green Stakes at Golden Gate Fields in between those two wins and was fourth last out in Santa Anita's Lure Stakes. Val Brinkerhoff trains for Kelly Brinkerhoff and Bob Grayson Jr.

Roy Gene Evans' homebred Chief Cicatriz, winner of the 2018 Aristides Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, heads the Sprint and enters off a clear victory at Turf Paradise in the Luke Kruytbosch Stakes (non-black-type). He also won the Dark Star Cup Stakes at Canterbury Park in June.

Cashcheckorcharge tops the Distaff after winning her stakes debut in Zia's Chavez County Stakes. The Oct. 28 victory was the fourth straight for Tom Durant's homebred. The 3-year-old Will Take Charge  filly also owns a maiden score and two allowance wins in five starts.

In the Juvenile, Fincher will put debut winner Competitive Idea to the test against stakes company. J. Kirk and Judy Robinson's homebred Competitive Edge  gelding won by 7 1/2 lengths over this course and distance Nov. 14.

"He's the best 2-year-old in my barn," Fincher said. "Since day one, he's done everything well and been a total professional. We are stepping him up right off the maiden win, but he had plenty left after that race and deserves a chance."

Asmussen will have Winchell Thoroughbreds and Allen Creel's Wasabi Girl in the Princess. The 2-year-old Shanghai Bobby filly broke her maiden at Ellis Park and last out won an allowance/optional claimer Sept. 21 at Churchill Downs. She continued to train with Asmussen's Churchill Downs string in preparation for the Princess.

Zia Park has carded 10 total races for Wednesday. First post is 2 p.m. ET.

Entries: Zia Park Distaff S.

Zia Park, Wednesday, November 27, 2019, Race 3

• STK
• 6f
• Dirt
• $100,000
• 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
• 12:54 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Cashcheckorcharge (KY)	Isaias D. Enriquez	121	Casey T. Lambert	5/2
2	2Best of Me (KY)	Luis Contreras	123	Justin R. Evans	5/1
3	3Award It (KY)	Luis Negron	119	Justin R. Evans	9/2
4	4Mt. Brave (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	121	Steven M. Asmussen	8/5
5	5Flyin Falynn (KY)	Jose L. Torres	123	Chris Zamora	20/1
6	6She's My Gem (KY)	Ry Eikleberry	115	Todd W. Fincher	4/1

Entries: Zia Park Sprint S.

Zia Park, Wednesday, November 27, 2019, Race 5

• STK
• 6f
• Dirt
• $100,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 1:48 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Colorful Colorado (CO)	Alejandro Medellin	117	Aurelio P. Valdez	20/1
2	2Chief Cicatriz (KY)	Tyler Baze	123	Shawn H. Davis	9/5
3	3Silver Ride (KY)	Francisco Arrieta	123	Robertino Diodoro	8/1
4	4Pendleton (KY)	Luis Contreras	123	Justin R. Evans	7/2
5	5Black Ops (KY)	Luis Negron	123	Justin R. Evans	6/1
6	6Tiz Alluptome Now (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	117	Steven M. Asmussen	5/2
7	7Secular Nation (KY)	Ry Eikleberry	119	Todd W. Fincher	8/1

Entries: Zia Park Juvenile S.

Zia Park, Wednesday, November 27, 2019, Race 6

• STK
• 6f
• Dirt
• $75,000
• 2 yo
• 2:15 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Party Town (KY)	Tyler Baze	118	Val Brinkerhoff	9/2
2	2Jurisdiction (KY)	Roimes Chirinos	118	Weston L. Martin	4/1
3	3Heraclitus (FL)	Luis A. Fuentes	118	Justin R. Evans	15/1
4	4Competitive Idea (KY)	Ry Eikleberry	118	Todd W. Fincher	7/2
5	5Recorder (KY)	Luis Contreras	118	Susan F. Arnett	15/1
6	6Bubba Bling (TX)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	122	Steven M. Asmussen	3/2
7	7Maius (CO)	Francisco Arrieta	122	O. A. Martinez, Jr.	6/1

Entries: Zia Park Princess S.

Zia Park, Wednesday, November 27, 2019, Race 7

• STK
• 6f
• Dirt
• $75,000
• 2 yo Fillies
• 2:42 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Showmethemagic (KY)	Luis Negron	120	Justin R. Evans	6/1
2	2Gee She Sparkles (TX)	Danny Sorenson	122	Danny Pish	4/1
3	3Luck Be Mine (KY)	Roimes Chirinos	120	Todd W. Fincher	6/1
4	4Dansmetothendoflov (KY)	Elvin Gonzalez	120	Dick Cappellucci	12/1
5	5Miss High Heels (IL)	Alejandro Medellin	120	Greg Green	20/1
6	6Smart N Wicked (CA)	Enrique Portillo Gomez	118	Jose Luna Silva	15/1
7	7Wasabi Girl (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	120	Steven M. Asmussen	7/5
8	8Delia O'Hara (CA)	Tyler Baze	118	Shawn H. Davis	15/1
9	9Midnight Emma (CA)	Francisco Arrieta	122	Jose Luna Silva	8/1

Entries: Zia Park Oaks

Zia Park, Wednesday, November 27, 2019, Race 8

• STK
• 1 1/16m
• Dirt
• $250,000
• 3 yo Fillies
• 3:09 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Glacier Point (KY)	Jose L. Torres	122	Chris Zamora	50/1
2	2Calf Moon Bay (KY)	Drayden Van Dyke	120	Jerry Hollendorfer	6/1
3	3Lady Apple (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	122	Steven M. Asmussen	3/5
4	4Motion Emotion (KY)	Mario Gutierrez	120	Richard Baltas	5/2
5	5Horologist (NJ)	Tyler Baze	122	Richard Baltas	5/1
6	6McWend (NM)	Elvin Gonzalez	122	Miguel L. Hernandez	30/1

Entries: Zia Park Championship H.

Zia Park, Wednesday, November 27, 2019, Race 9

• STK
• 1 1/8m
• Dirt
• $150,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 3:36 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Hereditary (KY)	Luis Contreras	118	Justin R. Evans	20/1
2	2Lookin At Lee (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	120	Steven M. Asmussen	8/1
3	3Clear the Mine (KY)	Enrique Portillo Gomez	117	Jose Silva, Jr.	15/1
4	4Mr. Benz (KY)	Roimes Chirinos	115	Jose Silva, Jr.	10/1
5	5Restrainedvengence (KY)	Tyler Baze	122	Val Brinkerhoff	3/1
6	6Downtowner (KY)	Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez	118	Susan F. Arnett	6/1
7	7Bokeelia Island (KY)	Miguel A. Perez	122	Justin R. Evans	9/2
8	8Sphene (KY)	Elvin Gonzalez	118	Miguel L. Hernandez	20/1
9	9Deputy's Echo (KY)	Ry Eikleberry	117	Nancy Summers	10/1
10	10Net Gain (IA)	David Cabrera	117	Clinton C. Stuart	20/1
11	11Sky Promise (KY)	Francisco Arrieta	121	Robertino Diodoro	4/1

Entries: Zia Park Derby

Zia Park, Wednesday, November 27, 2019, Race 10

• STK
• 1 1/16m
• Dirt
• $250,000
• 3 yo
• 4:03 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Dueling (KY)	Drayden Van Dyke	122	Jerry Hollendorfer	15/1
2	2Hustle Up (NM)	Roimes Chirinos	122	Todd W. Fincher	12/1
3	3Final Jeopardy (KY)	Francisco Arrieta	122	Greg Tracy	4/1
4	4Bankit (NY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	122	Steven M. Asmussen	3/1
5	5Sheriff Brown (KY)	Ry Eikleberry	122	Todd W. Fincher	20/1
6	6Sleepy Eyes Todd (KY)	David Cabrera	122	Miguel Angel Silva	8/1
7	7Proverb (FL)	Mario Gutierrez	122	Richard Baltas	12/1
8	8Walker Stalker (NM)	Alejandro Medellin	122	Jose R. Gonzalez, Jr.	20/1
9	9Tone Broke (ON)	Luis Contreras	122	Steven M. Asmussen	5/2
10	10Mr Money Bags (TX)	Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez	122	Mike R. Neatherlin	8/1