THE AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE JOURNAL, MARCH 11, 2010—Richard Shearer’s homebred A First Caller, second in the Jess Burner Handicap (RG1), faces a solid field over 350 yards in the $100,000 Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap (RG2) for New Mexico-breds Sunday afternoon at Sunland Park.

A First Caller (Calligrapher-Might Be A First by First Down Dash) has succeeded against similar company with his seconds in the Jess Burner and the New Mexico Classic Cup Championship (RG1), each behind champion First Moonflash. In the Jess Burner at Sunland Park, A First Caller vied for the lead with First Moonflash, but was unable to keep up with the champion’s closing kick over 400 yards.

After those strong efforts against state-breds, the J.J. Gonzales-trained A First Caller was a non-threatening seventh against open rivals in The Championship at Sunland Park (G1).

The Mike Joiner-trained One Hot Mecanic (Corona Caliente-No Tools Required by Jody O Toole) is in peak form with two wins in his two most recent starts. He easily won a second-level allowance race and then came back to take the NMHBA Stakes (RG2) at 14-1 odds. He prevailed by a neck with a :19.058 time for the 400 yards.

The Paul Jones-trained One Diamond Kitty (Genuine Strawfly-One Diamond Cat by Now I Know) should gain support after finishing fourth in the All American Derby (G1) against open company and then racing well against New Mexico-breds. He has finished on the board in his latest three outs, including a close second in the New Mexico Classic Derby (RG2).

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