Graded stakes winners White Lightenin (pictured) and Just En King will make their next starts in Saturday’s 350-yard, $90,000 Pepsi Cola Stakes (RG2) for New Mexico-breds at Sunland Park.
A 5-year-old son of Eye Am King trained by James Gonzales III for owners Denis and Julie Schoenhofer, White Lightenin made his season debut with a second-place finish, three-quarters of a length behind winner RC Corona King, in the January 12, 400-yard Red or Green Stakes (RG2) at Sunland Park. The sorrel gelding was a $32,000 yearling purchase at the 2021 New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso Downs.
White Lightenin drew the rail post and will be ridden by Joseph Belloc Jr.
Just En King races for Ronald N. Ulibarri, who also bred the 5-year-old Eye Am King gelding. Trained by Omar Vargas, Just En King is coming off of a third-place finish in the Red or Green Stakes. Last year, the gelding earned $140,000 from seven starts and scored a neck victory in the July 20, 400-yard Zia Stakes (RG2) at Ruidoso Downs.
Just En King drew post 7 and will be ridden by Christian Ramos.