The 7th Running of the NMSU Stakes

March 27, 2022 15:45

SUN Race #5 $120.000 1-Mile 70 Yds Dirt

NM-Bred 4+ 122 Lbs (plus penalties)

Stakes Record-1:39.10 (Jacque Allot-2018)

Track Record-1:38.83 (Captain Awesome-2016)

Five older NM-breds will contest the 7th running of the NMSU Stakes at SUN on Sunday.  With a purse of $120.000 and a distance of 1-mile and 70 yards, the NMSU will go as race 5 on a loaded SUN card.  Interestingly, four of the five runners will carry 124 lbs while only one of the entrants carries the minimum impost.  Here’s your field for the NMSU Stakes:

#1 Country Model (Night Rider Stables/A.J. Juarez Jr 124): Rail-horse isn’t blessed with a ton of early foot, but he always seems to make his rally.  January win at this level costs him two pounds to only one runner so the weight shouldn’t be too much of an issue.  Have to like consistent horses that always show you who/what they are.  Think he’ll make his run and have every opportunity to have his number put up. 

#2 Broomsticks Happy (Woogaloo/R. Chirinos 124): The “old man” of the field, this 7yo only has half of the starts as his competitors.  Normally, improvement wouldn’t be expected aat his age, but he only started racing last season and is already a winner at this level.  He should out-sprint the horse on his inside, so expect him to sit an excellent trip for this.

#3 Hachita (Spankys Barn/J. Carreno 124): 4yo sold for $100.030 at the December auction and almost made a winning barn-debut last month at this level.  Gelding appears very tractable and should sit a good trip just off of the speed.  Was on the board in all nine starts with eight exacta finishes and only needs to show the expected improvement from seasonal bow to be a major factor. 

#4 Raleigh In Doubt (Ekli Stable/R. Sarmiento 124): 5yo home bred got up last month in a similar spot last month, but he’ll carry six extra pounds from that victory in here.  Only has to spot the runner on his outside any weight, but there’s a big difference between carrying 118 and 124 pounds.  He’s been very honest and looks to be another that is in with a shot.

#5 Ideal Lion (Threshold/M.A. Perez 122): 5yo’s seasonal bow was an excellent effort off of an almost 90-day break.  That was a major improvement from his barn-debut back in November and this could be a spot where you would worry about a “bounce”.  Gets in at the minimum impost so he’ll get two pounds from the other four runners.  A repeat of last month’s effort makes him competitive, but any improvement makes him very dangerous.

Final Analysis: Can’t eliminate any of the five, but we’ll say they cross the wire 3-1-2 in the 7th running of the NMSU Stakes.  Good luck to all of the horses and connections!

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES