A TO THE Z (Benchmark) has been assigned the top weight of 121 pounds in
Saturday’s $500,000 Mervin H. Muniz Jr. H. (G2) at Fair Grounds, but G P FLEET
(Northern Afleet) could be the favorite off his easy 1 1/4-length score in the
Fair Grounds Breeders’ Cup H. The four-year-old chestnut ended last year with a
three-race win streak, including a victory in the River City H. (G3) at
Churchill Downs. He’s placed off the board only twice in his past 11 starts and
will have Jose Martinez Jr. back in the saddle.
A to the Z finished second by a half-length in the Sunshine Millions Turf S.
in his 2005 bow last out under jockey Victor Espinoza, and will have that rider
back aboard for Saturday’s about nine-furlong grass test. The chestnut gelding
scored in the California Cup Mile H. prior to filling the second spot in the
Citation H. (G1) in his final start as a four-year-old last season.
Other contenders in the Mervin H. Muniz include Grade 1 victor HONOR IN WAR
(Lord at War [Arg]), runner-up in the Fair Grounds Breeders’ Cup H., and Group 2
hero BURNING SUN (Danzig), who ran third in the Mac Diarmida H. (G3) by only a
length last out.
The complete field, with riders and weights, is CANDID GLEN (El Gran Senor),
Elvis Perrodin, 115; SOCIAL KING (King of Kings [Ire]), Tracy Hebert, 114; RAPID
PROOF (Fast Play), Brian Hernandez Jr., 115; Burning Sun, Jerry Bailey, 115;
DEMETEOR (Dehere), Lonnie Meche, 113; SEINNE (Chi) (Hussonet), Gerard Melancon,
115; AMERICA ALIVE (American Chance), Robby Albarado, 116; DOCTORATE (GB) (Dr
Fong), Larry Melancon, 113; Honor in War, James Graham, 117; A to the Z; and G P
Fleet.