BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

AURORA, CO—JULY 28, 2015—A total of 51 three-year-olds, including Spender and El Damazo, has been entered in Thursday’s 400-yard Mile High Derby trials at Arapahoe Park.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the August 15, $100,000-added Mile High Derby final.

A California-bred son of Stel Corona racing for Aislinn Vences, Spender is coming off of a half-length victory as the 9-5 favorite in the 350-yard Rocky Mountain Derby on July 11. He has won three of four starts and has earned $46,525 this season.

Russell Vicchrilli will ride Spender for trainer Miguel Pena from post 3 in the fifth of six Mile High Derby trials.

El Damazo ships in from New Mexico, where the Desirio colt banked $122,412 from eight outs. Trained by Jaime Martinez for owners Daniel Balderrama, Juan Castro, and Sergio F. Castro, El Damazo has earned $58,935 from five starts this year, and his season resume includes a second-place finish to Tempting Destiny in the March 28, 400-yard West Texas Derby (G3) at Sunland Park. He also finished second in the Grade 2 West Texas Futurity last year.

El Damazo drew post 9 and will be ridden by Adrian Ramos in the sixth trial.

All Arapahoe Park races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.