December 10, 2011 - Sunday’s $110,000 New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap and $110,000 Johnie L. Jamison Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino came up big on quality and quantity.

Trainer Todd Fincher has two major players in the 10-horse lineup of the New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap (9th race) at six furlongs. The rising star Rose’s Desert is coming off a commanding 3-length win in the $170,000 Peppers Pride New Mexico Cup Fillies and Mares Championship at Zia Park last October. The Desert God filly has won her last three races convincingly and owns a win over the classy Cali Baby. Juan Ochoa returns for the ride.

Comicsperfectstorm is Fincher’s second bullet in the filly and mare feature. The New Mexico-bred speedball has won six of her last seven races including stakes wins at Zia Park, Ruidoso Downs and Albuquerque. She could be the main component of a hot pace on Sunday. Ry Eikleberry, a talented newcomer to Sunland Park, will ride the fast filly.

Prominent stakes horses Iplaytricks, Shamrock Girl, Tricky R. Cali Baby, I Am Lesters Gal, King’s Water Lilly, Soaring Goddess and Dream Kin are also running. I Am Lesters Gal has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite.

With a powerful field of 12 runners, the 10th race on Sunday showcases one of the strongest Johnie Jamison fields ever. Defending champion and multiple stakes winner Chuchuluco looms very large for trainer Todd Fincher. The grey roan son of Devon Lane recaptured top form last time out by winning the $170,000 New Mexico Cup Sprint at Zia Park where he defeated arch rival Lesters Secret and Our Choice. Chuchuluco has run some of his finest races over Sunland Park soil. He is seeking his 8th career win from 18 starts. He has earned over $455,000.

Other heavy hitters in the Jamison Stakes include E.T. Springer winner Our Choice, New Mexico Classic Cup Championship winner Cross Chris Run, Jack Cole Handicap winner Double Smart, New Mexico Classic Cup three-year-old winner Desert Hennessy along with the tough Lesters Secret, Smash Dancer. Lesters Secret rates a mild 3-1 favorite in the highly contentious event. Total combined earnings of the field is over $2.5 million. Post time on Sunday is 12:25 p.m.