Arizona Moon adapts to surface switch in Lost in the Fog

PHOENIX – Arizona Moon was trying dirt for the first time in Saturday’s $35,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes at Turf Paradise but with a pedigree to help he had no trouble at all handling it as he rallied to win.

Owned by John Campo III and trained by Stacy Campo, Arizona Moon ($13) is bred for dirt, being by juvenile champion Macho Uno with Malibu Moon, sire of 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb, as his damsire. However, things didn’t seem to be going well right from the start of the 6 1/2- furlong test for 2-year-olds as Arizona Moon was last early as 9-5 favorite Taste’s Secret dueled with Senator Robert through solid splits. Arizona Moon remained last under Ron Richard but started to advance on the turn and finished strongly to pass all his rivals, pulling away to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Senator Robert, who came here off two straight easy wins on Golden Gate’s synthetic track, stayed on for second while Ready Intaglio, coming off a strong rallying second on turf here Dec. 9 defeating Arizona Moon, rallied for third. Taste’s Secret faded to eighth in the field of 10.

Arizona Moon ran the distance in 1:18.45. The winner’s share of $20,615 gives him earnings of $29,913 from two wins in five starts.

Protective Shield takes Arizona Juvenile Fillies

Protective Shield backed up her smart debut win here Dec. 8 with an even better performance Saturday, easily capturing the $35,000 Arizona Juvenile Fillies.

Owned by Tom Grether Farms and trained by Robert Lawrence, Protective Shield ($3.40) stalked the early pace in the 6 1/2-furlong event for 2-year-old fillies, came with a smart run on the far turn under Jorge Bourdieu to take command, then drew off to win easily by seven lengths. Grindstone Shine rallied second, a neck in front of Union Girl. Heidi’s in Charge, the top Arizona-bred filly who had won three straight and was facing open foes here, lagged back and made little headway, finishing fourth. Zenita, a romping winner of two straight this fall, was the early pacesetter but gave way to end up last in the field of six as the 2-1 second choice.

Prospective Shield, a daughter of 2-year-old and 3-year-old male champion Lookin at Lucky and now unbeaten in two starts, ran the distance in 1:19.13. The winner’s share of $21,483 gives her earning of $28,691.