Arizona Juvenile renamed to honor 'Fog'

Track management announced that the Dec. 31 Arizona Juvenile has been renamed the $50,000 Lost in the Fog Juvenile, honoring the late champion sprinter of 2005 who holds the course record here for 6 1/2 furlongs. Lost in the Fog sizzled the distance in 1:13.55 to win the 2004 Arizona Juvenile by slightly more than 14 lengths, just .35 of a second off the world record. Owned by Harry Aleo and trained by Greg Gilchrist, Lost in the Fog was euthanized in September after suffering from cancer.

Gilchrist announced he will be sending the Aleo-owned Vicarino for the 6 1/2-furlong Lost in the Fog. Vicarino set a Fresno track record of 1:07.34 for six furlongs.

* R Big Stuff ($2.80) had no trouble showing his superiority over 11 male 2-year-old Arizona-breds when he romped by nearly seven lengths in the $61,362 Arizona Breeders Futurity (colt and gelding division) last Saturday for trainer Molly Pearson.

Ridden by Miguel Hernandez for owner Gary Stevenson, R Big Stuff pressed the early pace before taking command. he covered the six furlongs in 1:08.40.

"He's got plenty of talent, and after four starts he's learned to relax," said Hernandez.

Pearson confirmed R Big Stuff's next start will be the Lost in the Fog Juvenile.

Meanwhile, Staten Island ($3.80) with Sandi Gann up, was a 1 3/4-length winner over M J's Headache in the $58,014 filly division. Staten Island's stablemate Beacon Falls was third.

There's trouble ahead for Staten Island if she goes for the Dec. 30 Arizona Juvenile Fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs. That $40,000 event is the next stop for Against the Law, who won her fourth straight and third stakes in a row in Monday's $24,900 To the Post. Owned by John Campo III, Against the Law covered the six furlongs in 1:09.04 under Glenn Corbett for trainer Dan McFarlane.