Sunland Park: How to bet the 2023 LaSenora Stakes

A total of six New Mexico-bred fillies will sprint six furlongs at Sunland Park in Sunday’s $100,000 LaSenora S. Morning-line choice #6 Hannah’s Highlife (9-5) gets a great post draw outside of the field, and I will side with the talented daughter of Holy Lute. She will be formidable with her best effort.

Trained by Bart Hone, the gray took three attempts to break her maiden, but she comes in with a pair of wins in succession, including a nice allowance victory on this surface in her most recent showing. The top selection has gate presence but does not need the early edge in order to have success, and the filly figures to receive a perfect voyage to the top of the lane in this affair, too. Regular rider Francisco Amparan retains the mount.

Conditioner Todd Fincher has three contenders in the dash. #5 Crossfire Cowgirl (3-1) was runner-up to the top pick last time out. The chestnut daughter of Marking closed well from off the early tempo to be a clear second in her latest venture, and if the pace is contested, then her chances to pull off the minor upset improves. The sophomore could improve in her second run over the surface with Alfredo Juarez Jr. taking the reins once again.

Fincher’s #2 Mama Was A Rocket (5-2) showed heart last time out when falling just short in the allowance ranks at Zia and could be any kind in her first appearance on the Sunland strip. By Diabolical, the three-year-old chestnut is winless following a debut tally but comes in with good form in her last two tries for a conditioner who is arguably the best on the grounds. Felipe Valdez inherits the ride and will have this contender up close throughout, potentially on the front end if she catches a flier from the gate.

LaSenora Wagers

• $20 win: #6 Hannah’s Highlife ($20)
• $5 exacta key box: 6 with 2,5 ($20)
• $5 trifecta key: 6 with 2,5 ($10)