Twelve New Mexico-bred Thoroughbreds, headed by Diabolical Ruler and Tucum, are entered in Saturday’s 5 1/2-furlong, $100,000 Mt. Cristo Rey Handicap (R) at Sunland Park.
A 6-year-old son of the Artax stallion Diabolical, Diabolical Ruler has won both of his races since he was claimed for $10,000 by owner Alfred Alvarado on January 21. The chestnut gelding is coming off of a one-length victory in a 5-furlong, $39,000 allowance dash for state-breds on February 27.
Diabolical Ruler drew post 3 and will be ridden by Luis Negron for trainer Martin Valdez-Cabral Jr.
Tucum is a homebred 4-year-old son of the Holy Bull stallion King Bull trained by Danny Morales for owner Tucumcari Thoroughbreds. The dark bay or brown gelding has earned $119,749 from nine races, and he ended his 3-year-old season with a four-length victory in the 6-furlong, $100,000 New Mexico Cup Derby Championship (R) at Zia Park.
Tucum drew post 5 and will be ridden by Enrique Gomez.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey and weight assignments and morning-line odds:
Delbert Too (Rigo Sarmiento), 121, 6-1
Ilikerollin (Luis Ramon Rodriguez, 115), 12-1
Diabolical Ruler (Luis Negron, 119), 8-1
Aisle Runner (Jorge Carreno), 115, 15-1
Tucum (Enrique Gomez, 122), 9-2
On A Warpath (Miguel Perez, 120), 6-1
Hollywood Henry (Alfredo Juarez Jr., 123), 4-1
Monterey Secret (Reyes Gomez, 117), 10-1
Del Mar Summer (Miguel Fuentes Jr.), 118, 8-1
Cerveza (Christian Ramos, 117), 10-1
Stormin Fast (Frank Reyes), 118, 8-1
Lariat (Kelsi Purcell, 120), 6-1