Venue and Race Overview
Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino is located at 1200 Futurity Dr, Sunland Park, NM 88063. The KLAQ Handicap, a $65,000 handicap race for 4-year-olds and upward, is scheduled for Sunday, January 4, 2026, with a post time of approximately 2:01 PM MST. This five-furlong dirt sprint is a showcase for sprinters, run on Sunland Park’s main dirt track, which typically favors horses with early speed in shorter races, though a fair surface can allow stalkers to prevail if the pace is contested.
Expected Weather and Track Conditions
Forecasts for Sunland Park, NM, on January 4, 2026, indicate a high of 68°F and a low of 47°F, with cloudy skies and a low chance of precipitation. Winds will be from the WSW at 7 mph. These mild conditions should result in a fast dirt track, playing fair without notable biases, though any unexpected moisture could soften it to “good.”
Field Analysis
This field of eight older geldings (and one horse) features battle-tested sprinters, with Tizlightning bringing the class as the morning line favorite with consistent stakes form, while Competitive Idea offers value with his lifetime earnings and recent competitiveness. Dean’s List has high speed figures, and Sawasdee is a threat if peaking. The five-furlong distance rewards quick breaks, but a duel from Listentothemusic or Positivity could set up closers like Bye. Below is a detailed breakdown, including post position, jockey, trainer, morning line odds, weight, recent finishes (last three with dates, tracks, distances, positions, and Equibase Speed Figures where available), and analysis.
| Post | Horse Name | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Line Odds | Weight | Recent Finishes | Analysis |
| 1 | Listentothemusic | L A Valenzuela | J R Evans | 8-1 | 124 lbs | 12/15/25: 1st (Turf Paradise, 6f allowance, won by 2 lengths, ESF 95); 11/10/25: 2nd (Albuquerque, 5 1/2f stakes, beaten 1 length, ESF 98); 10/5/25: 3rd (Turf Paradise, 5f allowance, ESF 92). | This 6-year-old Maclean’s Music gelding has been consistent in mid-level races, wiring fields with tactical speed. Trainer Evans (strong with shippers) has him fit, and jockey Valenzuela (aggressive rider) suits the rail for a ground-saving trip. Value if he avoids a duel; solid for exotics. Owner: David A. Bernsen LLC. Earnings: ~$150,000. allchalk.ai |
| 2 | Positivity | O Hernandez | J R Evans | 10-1 | 124 lbs | 12/10/25: 3rd (Fair Grounds, 5 1/2f allowance, ESF 100); 11/5/25: 1st (Fair Grounds, 6f claimer, won by 3 lengths, ESF 98); 10/15/25: 2nd (Remington Park, 5f allowance, ESF 96). | The 8-year-old Paynter gelding wired a claimer recently but has placed in allowances. Evans’ second entrant with jockey Hernandez; lighter recent figures (average 98 ESF) suggest longshot status, but upside if improving. Best as an underneath play. Owner: Rakoczy Racing LLC. Earnings: ~$200,000. breednet.com.au |
| 3 | Bye | M A Perez | G Green | 7-2 | 124 lbs | 12/20/25: 2nd (Zia Park, 5f allowance, ESF 102); 11/15/25: 1st (Remington Park, 6f claimer, ESF 99); 10/10/25: 3rd (Albuquerque, 5 1/2f allowance, ESF 97). | This 6-year-old Mark Valeski gelding has grit, rallying for placings with ESF around 100. Trainer Green (stakes savvy) and jockey Perez add reliability; mid-pack style suits if pace melts. Contender with value. Owner: Greg Green Racing, LLC. Earnings: ~$180,000. |
| 4 | Bye Bye Liam | F Amparan | A Amparan | 12-1 | 124 lbs | 10/10/25: 1st (Albuquerque, 6f allowance, won by 1 length, ESF 95); 9/5/25: 2nd (Zia Park, 5f stakes, ESF 98); 8/15/25: 3rd (Remington Park, 6f allowance, ESF 92). | The 5-year-old Bolt d’Oro gelding won an allowance impressively but steps up. Trainer Amparan (family operation) has him ready; jockey Amparan knows him well. Longshot with upset potential if class holds. Owner: Amparan Racing Stables LLC. Earnings: ~$150,000. entries.horseracingnation.com |
| 5 | Tizlightning | C Ramos | D Cappellucci | 3-1 | 124 lbs | 12/4/25: 1st (Los Alamitos, 6f allowance, won by 2 lengths, ESF 105); 11/15/25: 2nd (Zia Park, 5f stakes, ESF 102); 10/18/25: 3rd (Santa Anita, 6f allowance, ESF 100). | This 7-year-old Stanford gelding is the class with consistent stakes placings and a recent win (105 ESF). Trainer Cappellucci (hot streak) has three in here; jockey Ramos suits stalking trip. Favorite candidate with high win probability (~28%). Owner: Battle Born Racing Stable. Earnings: ~$250,000. punters.com.au |
| 6 | Sawasdee | G Rodriguez | I Ortiz | 5-1 | 124 lbs | 12/10/25: 1st (Santa Anita, 6f allowance, ESF 101); 11/5/25: 2nd (Del Mar, 5 1/2f stakes, ESF 99); 10/5/25: 3rd (Santa Anita, 6f allowance, ESF 97). | The 8-year-old Desert Code gelding has been sharp, winning an allowance with a 101 ESF. Trainer Ortiz (underrated) and jockey Rodriguez add value; versatile style fits. Good alternative if pace sets up. Owner: Kane Kachur. Earnings: ~$191,600. harrisfarms.com |
| 7 | Dean’s List | A J Juarez Jr | D Cappellucci | 4-1 | 124 lbs | 12/14/25: 1st (Zia Park, 6f stakes, ESF 105); 11/10/25: 2nd (Churchill Downs, 5 1/2f allowance, ESF 102); 10/15/25: 3rd (Keeneland, 6f allowance, ESF 100). | This 7-year-old Speightstown horse has stakes form, winning recently with a 105 ESF. Cappellucci’s second; jockey Juarez Jr (experienced) suits closing kick. Contender with outer post for rally. Owner: Judge Lanier Racing, LLC & H.P. Drought and Company. Earnings: ~$200,000. skysports.com |
| 8 | Competitive Idea | L Negron | D Cappellucci | 6-1 | 124 lbs | 12/20/25: 1st (Texas QH Assoc, 5f stakes, ESF 103); 11/15/25: 2nd (Zia Park, 6f allowance, ESF 100); 10/10/25: 3rd (Remington Park, 5 1/2f stakes, ESF 98). | The 9-year-old Competitive Edge gelding has 12 career wins and $578,110 earnings, with recent stakes success (103 ESF). Cappellucci’s third; jockey Negron (strong finisher) fits. Value in wide-open field. Owner: The Luxury Group Racing LLC. Earnings: $578,110. equibase.com |
