Arizona-breds clash in five stakes
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PHOENIX – Arizona-bred day at Turf Paradise puts the spotlight on the local product Saturday with five statebred stakes, each worth $60,000.
The Gene Fleming Breeders Derby for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles drew a field of five and goes as race 6. The Lyman & Bradley Rollins for 3-year-olds and up at 6 furlongs drew a field of seven and goes as race 8. The Ann Owens Distaff for fillies and mares at 6 furlongs drew a field of seven and goes as race 9. The Joanne Dye Breeders Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 6 furlongs drew a field of five and goes as race 3. The Dwight D. Patterson for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on the turf lured six and goes as race 7.
◗ Three of the five in the Gene Fleming Breeders Derby are maidens, and that, plus a good overall record of 9-5-2-1, leaves Arizona Andrew an overwhelming favorite. He was second in the Arizona Stallion Stakes sprinting here March 25. His only time routing came in the Turf Paradise Derby March 11, when he set the pace before fading to 10th, but he doesn’t face that caliber here.
◗ Ramblin’ Man and Annie’s Boy have faced each other several times, and they continue their feud in the Lyman & Bradley Rollins. Ramblin’ Man comes off a nose win over his nemesis in the Cactus Wren here Feb. 25, his ninth win in his last 12 starts. He won this race narrowly over Annie’s Boy last year.
Annie’s Boy dueled for the lead and faded to end up last of six in a tough allowance race here April 3.
◗ Outside the Law stamped herself the one to beat in the Ann Owens with a powerful win in over some of her Saturday opponents in the Cactus Flower here Feb. 25. She took a clear early lead, blew the race open into the lane, and held comfortably as Alberta Sun and Big Heat, two of Saturday’s foes, ran on for second and third. Outside the Law has also won from off the pace.
◗ Beyond Awesome towers over the rest of the Joanne Dye field. She has won five of her last six starts, three of them stakes, including a romp in the Arizona Stallion Stakes March 25 as the 3-5 favorite. If she stubs her toe, the main beneficiary is likely to be Arizona Kalei, third in the Arizona Stallion. She has lost to Beyond Awesome several times, but beat her in December in the Arizona Breeders Futurity.
◗ Arizona Jeremy enters the Dwight D. Patterson off a head victory in a one-mile starter-optional win last Saturday. He must catch First Call, who brings sprint speed to his second try on turf. A year ago, he finished last of nine in an allowance on the Turf Paradise grass.
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