Against the Law back in her element

PHOENIX - Sunday's $45,000 Cactus Cup Stakes at Turf Paradise may have lured just six, but they're all in good form.

Despite faltering badly in the one-mile Arizona Oaks here Feb. 17, Against the Law will still be favored as she cuts back to 6 1/2 furlongs in the Cactus Cup, which is for 3-year-old fillies. A daughter of Officer trained by Dan McFarlane, Against the Law went on a tear beginning last summer at Fairplex in Southern California. After a big maiden win there she came to Phoenix and quickly established herself the best 2-year-old sprinting filly on the grounds, easily winning the Ms. Gibson County, La Paz, and To the Post stakes in the fall.

She dueled for the lead and faltered to finish third in the Arizona Juvenile Filly Stakes Dec. 30, but bounced right back to win the six-furlong Dancin at the Wire Feb. 3 over a number of Sunday's rivals. She ran eighth in the Arizona Oaks, but is back to her preferred trip, and regular rider Glenn Corbett keeps the call.

Famous Gal finished only a neck behind Against the Law in the Dancin at the Wire. Trained by Joe Johnson, she also finished behind Against the Law in the La Paz (third) and To the Post (fourth), with a big allowance win in between. Juan Rivera rides.

Four Four Two, trained by Eric Kruljac, was fourth behind Against the Law and Famous Gal in the Dancin at the Wire, beaten just over two lengths. That was only her second start. She easily won her debut here.

Extraordinary Gal comes off a 7 3/4-length romp over allowance foes here Feb. 18. She came here after racing at Belmont, Turfway Park and Tampa Bay Downs, and appears to have found a home for trainer Molly Pearson.

Sister Genevieve comes off a smart first-level allowance win, while Kisses Included was fourth in the Arizona Oaks. That was her first try against winners and also her first route, and she may be better sprinting.