I Want Revenge is my pick for Derby win
By Felix Chavez
Sun-News reporter
LAS CRUCES — Today’s 135th Running of the Kentucky Derby should be a competitive one.
The 20-horse field features some of the top horses in the world and it should be a good betting races for bettors. The Kentucky Derby is often one of the toughest races to analyze because of the size of the field and is a race where sometimes the best horse doesn’t win.
But after much thought, I have to go with the Jeff Mullins-trained I Want Revenge. The son of Stephen Got Even has won two straight and has hit the board in all eight starts.
I Want Revenge was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack in New York from California for his past two races and he won both under the ride of talented young jockey Joseph Talamo. In the Wood Memorial on April 4, I Want Revenge had plenty of trouble, but rallied fro seven lengths back to pull out the win.
I Want Revenge has the highest speed figure in the race and he seems to be getting better as he races more on the dirt surface.
His win in the last race despite having trouble was impressive enough for me to make him my pick and that’s why I believe that even if he has trouble today, he can navigate and win.
For second, I like General Quarters. This horse won the Blue Grass Stakes on April 11 and he has had success at Churchill Downs, winning a race and finishing third. In addition, he gets a very good jockey in Julien Leparoux aboard and he’s been very good this year, hitting the board in 3 of 4 starts.
In third place, I am going with Chocolate Candy, a horse which has had great success in California. The son of Candy Ride has won 4 of 9 and he gets former Derby winner Mike Smith on him as a jockey.
Chocolate Candy ran second to Derby contender Pioneerof the Nile in the Santa Anita Derby and was coming on strong at the end. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has a horse which is working well heading into the race. After the April 4 Santa Anita Derby, he worked five furlongs in 59.1, then he went to Churchill Downs and had two decent works. His most recent work was on April 27 when had the second beset work among 26 horses.
There are several other contenders including Pioneerof the Nile, Dunkirk and Desert Party. I like Desert Party, which ships in from United Arab Emrites He’s won 4 of 6 and is well-bred.
But in the end, the Derby is toughest of all races to handicap, so good luck and don’t blame me for any money lost.
•••
Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino officials have to be happy this weekend. Two horses which ran in the Sunland Derby are taking part in the Run For The Roses. Mine That Bird, which ran twice at Sunland Park and trained for sometime at the track, and Advice are both running. Mine That Bird ran second in the Borderland Derby and fourth in the Sunland Derby.
Advice ran fifth in the Sunland Derby and then surprised some by winning the Lexington Stakes just two weeks ago.
The success of these two horses should help the Sunland Derby, which was worth $800,000, get graded and attract even better horses next year.
Felix Chavez can be reached at fchavez@lcsun-news.com; (575) 541-5444
Thursday, April 30, 2009
LaVorick to return to NMSU
Williams says he’s returning to NMSU
By Felix Chavez
Sun-News reporter
LAS CRUCES — Wide receiver LaVorick Williams told the Sun-News on Thursday morning he is returning to New Mexico State to play football next fall.
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Williams left the squad in January to pursue a track and field opportunity at Texas Tech, but things didn’t work out for him there.
“I’lll be back in the summer at New Mexico State,” Williams said. “I was at the spring game last week and talked to head coach DeWayne Walker and receivers coach Keith Murphy. I like the staff and I like the offense. The new offense is a pro style type of offense and receivers can get open downfield with a good running game.”
Williams, who hails from Odessa, Texas, showed flashes of promise in Hal Mumme’s spread offense last year. He caught seven passes for 52 yards.
Felix Chavez can be reached at fchavez@lcsun-news.com; (575) 541-5444
By Felix Chavez
Sun-News reporter
LAS CRUCES — Wide receiver LaVorick Williams told the Sun-News on Thursday morning he is returning to New Mexico State to play football next fall.
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Williams left the squad in January to pursue a track and field opportunity at Texas Tech, but things didn’t work out for him there.
“I’lll be back in the summer at New Mexico State,” Williams said. “I was at the spring game last week and talked to head coach DeWayne Walker and receivers coach Keith Murphy. I like the staff and I like the offense. The new offense is a pro style type of offense and receivers can get open downfield with a good running game.”
Williams, who hails from Odessa, Texas, showed flashes of promise in Hal Mumme’s spread offense last year. He caught seven passes for 52 yards.
Felix Chavez can be reached at fchavez@lcsun-news.com; (575) 541-5444
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Some Aggie/Prep Volleyball news
According to various sources New Mexico State has offered Mayfield volleyball player Jessica Groen a scholarship. She will be a senior next year and plays outside hitter. She helped lead MHS to the 5A state title last November and was the Player of the Year in the state as a junior.
- Felix
- Felix
High School Coaches Baseball Poll, April 29
Baseball Top 10 Poll
April 29, 2009
5A Baseball
1. La Cueva(11) 1 137
2. Rio Rancho(1) 3 113
3. Rio Grande(1) 4 102
4. Las Cruces(1) 2 100
5. Onate 5 87
6. Sandia 6 67
7. Eldorado 7 50
8. Santa Fe 8 43
9. Carlsbad 9 37
10. Mayfield nr 18
Others: Manzano 4, Valley 3, Clovis 2, Cibola 1.
4A Baseball
1. Artesia(11) 1 110
2. Piedra Vista 2 91
3. Farmington 3 87
4. Alb. Academy 3 84
5. St. Pius 5 59
6. Belen 6 53
7. Goddard 8 39
8. Moriarty 7 30
9. Bernalillo 9 20
10. Deming nr 14
Others: Los Alamos 14, Volcano Vista 9, Grants 1.
3A Baseball
1. Cobre(12) 1 120
2. Bloomfield 2 98
3. Sandia Prep 3 94
4. Socorro 4 71
5. Ruidoso 7 64
6. St. Michaels 6 60
7. Portales 5 59
8. Pojoaque 8 36
9. Hope Christian 9 20
10. Raton 10 16
Others: Lovington 6, Santa Fe Indian 4, Robertson 4, W. Las Vegas 2, Hatch 2, Dexter 2, Miyamura 1, and NMMI 1.
1A & 2A Baseball
1. Loving(6) 81
2. Eunice(1) 72
3. Santa Rosa(1) 62
4. Texico(1) 55
5. Mesilla Valley 46
6. Lordsburg 39
7. Estancia 31
8. Tularosa 27
9. Tucumcari 27
10. East Mountain 20
Others: Questa 12, Clayton 7, Cimarron 5, Gateway Christian 4, Valley Christian, McCurdy 2, and Floyd 2,
April 29, 2009
5A Baseball
1. La Cueva(11) 1 137
2. Rio Rancho(1) 3 113
3. Rio Grande(1) 4 102
4. Las Cruces(1) 2 100
5. Onate 5 87
6. Sandia 6 67
7. Eldorado 7 50
8. Santa Fe 8 43
9. Carlsbad 9 37
10. Mayfield nr 18
Others: Manzano 4, Valley 3, Clovis 2, Cibola 1.
4A Baseball
1. Artesia(11) 1 110
2. Piedra Vista 2 91
3. Farmington 3 87
4. Alb. Academy 3 84
5. St. Pius 5 59
6. Belen 6 53
7. Goddard 8 39
8. Moriarty 7 30
9. Bernalillo 9 20
10. Deming nr 14
Others: Los Alamos 14, Volcano Vista 9, Grants 1.
3A Baseball
1. Cobre(12) 1 120
2. Bloomfield 2 98
3. Sandia Prep 3 94
4. Socorro 4 71
5. Ruidoso 7 64
6. St. Michaels 6 60
7. Portales 5 59
8. Pojoaque 8 36
9. Hope Christian 9 20
10. Raton 10 16
Others: Lovington 6, Santa Fe Indian 4, Robertson 4, W. Las Vegas 2, Hatch 2, Dexter 2, Miyamura 1, and NMMI 1.
1A & 2A Baseball
1. Loving(6) 81
2. Eunice(1) 72
3. Santa Rosa(1) 62
4. Texico(1) 55
5. Mesilla Valley 46
6. Lordsburg 39
7. Estancia 31
8. Tularosa 27
9. Tucumcari 27
10. East Mountain 20
Others: Questa 12, Clayton 7, Cimarron 5, Gateway Christian 4, Valley Christian, McCurdy 2, and Floyd 2,
High School Coaches Softball poll
New Mexico High School
Coaches Association
Softball Top 10 Poll
April 29, 2009
5A Softball
1. Cibola(17) 1 170
2. Las Cruces 2 139
3. Sandia 4 121
4. Carlsbad 3 118
5. La Cueva 6 82
6. Mayfield 5 79
7. Onate 8 55
8. Valley 7 50
9. Eldorado 9 50
10. Rio Rancho 10 32
Others: Santa Fe 12, Los Lunas 11, Manzano 10, West Mesa 4, Hobbs 3, Alamogorodo 1, and Clovis 1.
4A Softball
1. Piedra Vista(12) 1 154
2. Farmington(1) 2 131
3. Artesia 4 105
4. Silver City 3 95
5. Volcano Vista(1) 6 74
6. Roswell(1) 5 73
Aztec(1) 7 73
8. Goddard nr 30
9. Del Norte 10 29
10. St. Pius nr 22
Moriarty 8 22
Others: Kirtland 19, Espanola 14, Shiprock 7, Valencia 6, Belen 5, Los Alamos 4, Alb. Academy 2, and Grants 2.
3A Softball
1. Bloomfield(14) 1 140
2. St. Michaels 2 123
3. Hope Christian 5 91
4. Cobre 3 81
5. Raton 4 74
6. Portales 7 70
7. Santa Fe Indian 6 41
8. Miyamura 9 37
9. Robertson nr 22
10. Ruidoso 8 18
Others: Hatch 17, Lovington 14, Laguna Acoma 12, W. Las Vegas 11, Socorro 10, Pojoaque 2.
1A & 2A Softball
1. Jal(6) 84
2. Loving 82
3. Capitan 62
4. McCurdy 56
5. East Mountain 49
6. Navajo Prep 24
Eunice 24
Estancia 24
9. Jemez Valley 19
10. Gallup Catholic 15
Others: Mora 7, Lordsburg 6, Tucumcari 6, Rehoboth 5, Lake Arthur 3.
Coaches Association
Softball Top 10 Poll
April 29, 2009
5A Softball
1. Cibola(17) 1 170
2. Las Cruces 2 139
3. Sandia 4 121
4. Carlsbad 3 118
5. La Cueva 6 82
6. Mayfield 5 79
7. Onate 8 55
8. Valley 7 50
9. Eldorado 9 50
10. Rio Rancho 10 32
Others: Santa Fe 12, Los Lunas 11, Manzano 10, West Mesa 4, Hobbs 3, Alamogorodo 1, and Clovis 1.
4A Softball
1. Piedra Vista(12) 1 154
2. Farmington(1) 2 131
3. Artesia 4 105
4. Silver City 3 95
5. Volcano Vista(1) 6 74
6. Roswell(1) 5 73
Aztec(1) 7 73
8. Goddard nr 30
9. Del Norte 10 29
10. St. Pius nr 22
Moriarty 8 22
Others: Kirtland 19, Espanola 14, Shiprock 7, Valencia 6, Belen 5, Los Alamos 4, Alb. Academy 2, and Grants 2.
3A Softball
1. Bloomfield(14) 1 140
2. St. Michaels 2 123
3. Hope Christian 5 91
4. Cobre 3 81
5. Raton 4 74
6. Portales 7 70
7. Santa Fe Indian 6 41
8. Miyamura 9 37
9. Robertson nr 22
10. Ruidoso 8 18
Others: Hatch 17, Lovington 14, Laguna Acoma 12, W. Las Vegas 11, Socorro 10, Pojoaque 2.
1A & 2A Softball
1. Jal(6) 84
2. Loving 82
3. Capitan 62
4. McCurdy 56
5. East Mountain 49
6. Navajo Prep 24
Eunice 24
Estancia 24
9. Jemez Valley 19
10. Gallup Catholic 15
Others: Mora 7, Lordsburg 6, Tucumcari 6, Rehoboth 5, Lake Arthur 3.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Austin Trout's Canadian opponent
Las Cruces unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Austin Trout will fight Shawn Garrett in June in Toronto Trout is 17-0 in his career, Garrett is 11-5-2. Garrett does own wins against Epifianio Mendoza, who was 16-1-1 at the time, and Andrey Tsurkan, who was 18-0, at the time.
- Felix
- Felix
Mike Smith and Las Cruces High Boys Hoops
Here are some reflections on Mike Smith and his tenure as the boys basketball coach at Las Cruces High. The 12-year veteran of the sidelines at NMSU had some good years and some disappointments.
His 2001 team shocked may by winning the district tournament and then went up north to unseat a very good Rio Grande team which had three Division I players on the squad in the first round of the state tournament.
His 2006 team with Gordo Castillo as a junior nearly upset Manzano in the state tournament only to lose in double overtime.
This past year was his best season overall. The team won 23 games, beat Rio Grande and Gallup in the state finals and gave Highland all it could handle in the semifinals.
Smith did things his own way and he had some good years. I would guess one of his disappointments came when Castillo was a sophomore. The Bulldawgs were a serious state title contender that year with regular season wins against Rio Grande, eventual champ Eldorado and 4A champ Deming. But the team faded late, lost in the district tournament semifinals and sat out the state tournament.
That team was solid in so many ways, but just couldn't finish. There were other disappointments for the Bulldawgs during Smith's tenure, but in retrospect, Smith did a fair job over the years.
And he was always fair and solid with us here at the paper. Smith will likely coach again down the road and he has a great knowledge of the game and can help players understand the game better.
So what's next for LCHS? Assistant William Benjamin should get first crack at the job. He's also a smart basketball mind and and he's paid his dues on the bench as an assistant and junior varsity coach. And he likes Las Cruces and is loyal to the kids in the program, which is a huge plus.
- Felix
His 2001 team shocked may by winning the district tournament and then went up north to unseat a very good Rio Grande team which had three Division I players on the squad in the first round of the state tournament.
His 2006 team with Gordo Castillo as a junior nearly upset Manzano in the state tournament only to lose in double overtime.
This past year was his best season overall. The team won 23 games, beat Rio Grande and Gallup in the state finals and gave Highland all it could handle in the semifinals.
Smith did things his own way and he had some good years. I would guess one of his disappointments came when Castillo was a sophomore. The Bulldawgs were a serious state title contender that year with regular season wins against Rio Grande, eventual champ Eldorado and 4A champ Deming. But the team faded late, lost in the district tournament semifinals and sat out the state tournament.
That team was solid in so many ways, but just couldn't finish. There were other disappointments for the Bulldawgs during Smith's tenure, but in retrospect, Smith did a fair job over the years.
And he was always fair and solid with us here at the paper. Smith will likely coach again down the road and he has a great knowledge of the game and can help players understand the game better.
So what's next for LCHS? Assistant William Benjamin should get first crack at the job. He's also a smart basketball mind and and he's paid his dues on the bench as an assistant and junior varsity coach. And he likes Las Cruces and is loyal to the kids in the program, which is a huge plus.
- Felix
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