Marked Kiss headlines New Mexico Classic Oaks field
HOBBS – Jana G. Trotter’s Marked Kiss, making just her second start off an eight-month layoff, has been established as the 3-to-1 morning line favorite for Monday’s 21st running of the $150,000 New Mexico Classic Oaks at Zia Park.
Trained by Dick Cappellucci, the 3-year-old daughter of Marking returned from an extended layoff on Oct. 17 at Albuquerque Downs and rolled to an impressive four-length win under jockey Luis Fuentes.
Bred in New Mexico by Fred Alexander & Todd Fincher, Marked Kiss has won four times from eight career starts, including a stakes win as a 2-year-old last year at Albuquerque Downs when she won the Rio Grande Senorita Futurity. Her career earnings have topped $135,000.
Marked Kiss drew post five in the 10-horse field for the Oaks, which will be run at a distance of 6 1/2 furlongs. Post time for the Oaks is scheduled for 3:41 p.m.
Trainer Joel Marr will send out unbeaten Shez Punctual for owners Teresa K. Marr and Tim Foote. The daughter of Punctuate, bred in New Mexico by Teresa Kaye Marr, also returned from a long layoff and scored a win last month at Albuquerque Downs.
Shez Punctual will be ridden by Miguel Fuentes, Jr. and will break from post four as the 4-to-1 second choice on the morning line.
Trainer Todd Fincher will send out 9-to-2 third choice Marksalot for owners Brad King, Fred Alexander and Justin Pribble. The daughter of Marking is in search of her third straight win.
Bred in New Mexico by Fred Alexander & Justin Pribble, Marksalot has earned more than $44,000 and will be ridden by Tanner Fincher from post seven in the NM Classic Oaks.
The field, with morning line odds and riders, for the $150,000 New Mexico Classic Oaks:
1 Sapello Samba 20-1 (Alejandro Medellin)
2 Mo Money Time 8-1 (Alfredo Juarez, Jr.)
3 Souped Up Wildcat 12-1 (Christian Ramos)
4 Shez Punctual 4-1 (Miguel Fuentes, Jr.)
5 Marked Kiss 3-1 (Luis Fuentes)
6 Thatsaterriblidea 10-1 (Ramon Vazquez)
7 Marksalot 9-2 (Tanner Fincher)
8 American Cherub 20-1 (Elvin Gonzalez)
9 Bye Bye Holley 5-1 (Fausto Da Silva)
10 Hush’s Ghost 12-1 (Enrique Gomez) Photo of Marked Kiss courtesy of Coady Media