Both stakes will be run at 5½ furlongs with the Hank Mills, which attracted a field of six 4-year-olds and up and the Sun Devil luring seven fillies and mares.
The Hank Mills, 7th Race
Six of the seven entrants are coming off wins which makes for a competitive dash. Five-year-olds Levitation and Kota Copy, both seven-race career winners, are sure to vie for favoritism with leading trainer Robertino Diodoro’s Never Give In, who’s coming off a two month layoff and looking for his fourth consecutive win.
Then there’s Blue Law, coming off an eight-month respite, and two consecutive wins at Hastings Park. Wildfire Kid, a double race winner at Turf leads all entrants with 10 career victories and bankroll of $235,154, while the confirmed closer He’s Munnie hopes for a speed duel and his first win since Feb. 5 of 2018.
Sun Devil Stakes, 5th Race
Fight to Glory has been in the money in 9 of 10 starts with five wins here locally. Her recent effort in the Sunland Park’s Bold Ego stakes came up empty. But the 5-year-old of American Lion is back on familiar ground. The fact that she won this race last year by 6 ½ lengths, makes her the one to beat.
But this race is no sure thing for Fight to Glory, what with the accomplished BCZ Middleton in the lineup. The winner of Turf’s Princess of Palms and Emerald Downs’ King County in 2017 makes her a worthy opponent for the probably favorite Fight to Glory.
California shipper, She’s No Drama, promises to keep the top two honest.