Arizona-breds in the spotlight with five stakes

PHOENIX – The $50,000 Gene Fleming Breeders’ Derby highlights the five stakes for Arizona-breds on Saturday’s Turf Paradise card. The 1 1/16-mile main-track event for 3-year-olds drew a field of eight, headed by Jungle Java.

Owned by Double Kee LLC and trained by Bobbie Grissom, Jungle Java comes here sharp, having won two of his last three, with the lone loss coming by a neck. Those races, all on turf, include his second in the Tempe Handicap here March 14 and a nice win overcoming much trouble in the Arizona Stallion Stakes here April 4.

Jungle Java moves back to dirt here, and while he has just two seconds in his six dirt starts, he might be a better horse now than he was then.

His main rival figures to be Prospector’s Blues. Trained by Robert Hazel, this son of Benton Creek has something Jungle Java does not – wins on dirt. In fact, he has two of them from six dirt tries, although he has never run farther than 6 1/2 furlongs on the surface.

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There are four other stakes Saturday, each worth $35,000:

◗ Dwight Patterson Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf for 3-year-olds and up (race 2): Red Zeus figures a heavy favorite in the field of six, though he hasn’t won since early last year and is just 1 for his last 18.

◗ Joanne Dye at 6 1/2 furlongs for 3-year-old fillies (race 3): Worthy Grapes leads a field of seven as she goes for a third straight win. She’s looked like a new filly of late for trainer Eric Kruljac.

◗ Ann Owens Distaff Handicap at six furlongs for fillies and mares (race 5): Tempe, Tribal Gal, Lady Jila, and Camille – the top four finishers from this race last year – knock heads again in a field of seven. Tribal Gal figures the favorite coming off a fourth in the Grade 3 Las Flores at Santa Anita on March 8.

◗ Lyman and Bradley Rollins at six furlongs for 3-year-olds and up (race 8): Rockin Home, a sharp second in the Swift Stakes here Jan. 24 in his last start, figures the one to beat in a field of eight. Rocked Twice invades from Southern California after being claimed by Robertino Diodoro for $32,000, and J P Rocker, who won the Gene Fleming Breeders’ Derby last year, comes off a second in the Coyote Handicap sprinting here March 28.

GENE FLEMING BREEDERS’ DERBY (RACE 7)

KEY CONTENDERS

JUNGLE JAVA (Last 3 Beyers: 77-79-71)

◗ Showed dirt ability here in the fall when second to Saturday rival Prospector’s Blues in the Arizona Breeders’ Futurity at six furlongs.

◗ Prevailed as the 3-5 favorite in the Arizona Stallion Stakes on turf here April 4 despite being bottled up coming into the lane and having to work to find clear sailing.

◗ Must overcome the outside post.

PROSPECTOR’S BLUES (Last 3 Beyers: 62-55-61)

◗ Ran third in the Arizona Stallion Stakes, beaten 6 3/4 lengths by Jungle Java. That was his first turf attempt, and he moves back to dirt.

◗ He is reunited with rider Geovanni Franco. The only time these two teamed up, the result was a win here March 22.

HAWKEYE GOLD (Last 3 Beyers: 62-49-45)

◗ Like Prospector’s Blues, he might appreciate moving back to dirt as his lone win and best results have all come on dirt. He dueled for the lead and finished fourth in the Arizona Stallion Stakes on grass.

◗ He has considerable speed but isn’t a need-the-lead type. He showed in his lone win that he could duel early and prevail.