Arizona Moon looks to rise again in Coady Stakes

PHOENIX, Ariz. - A return to friendlier confines, a move to turf and a significant drop in class may get Arizona Moon back on track in Sunday’s $25,000 Jeff and Jack Coady Sr. Stakes at Turf Paradise. The mile turf event for 3-year-olds drew a field of 10 and goes as race 7.

Also on the card is the 3-year-old filly counterpart, the $25,000 Chandler Stakes, also at a mile on turf. That drew a field of seven, headed by Major Threat and Complimentary.

Arizona Moon, a son of juvenile champion Macho Uno, has had a rough go of it the past few months. After some smart races here including a sharp third (beaten just a head) in the Tempe Handicap on March 12 against peers on this course at this trip, the John Campo III colorbearer was then gone five months before resurfacing in Southern California. There he was overmatched in four races, two of them stakes, including the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Derby on Sept. 24, in which he was eased. He faces no one like that here. Scott Stevens rides for Stacy Campo.

If he can’t bounce back to form, that would be good news for Risky Venture. The son of U S Ranger, owned by Custom Truck Accessories Inc. and trained by Paul Treasure, tried turf and routing for the first time and ran very well, dueling from the start before finishing second, beaten just a neck. Sunday rival Cable Jett finished third, just a half-length behind Risky Venture for owner Rollingson Racing Stable and trainer Robertino Diodoro after being on the lead and dueling throughout with Risky Venture.

- Major Threat, owned and trained by Valorie Lund, faces winners after blasting maidens by 5 1/2 lengths on this course Oct. 24. She was far back early, but made a strong move to take command on the turn and draw off. Complimentary, owned by H & E Ranch and trained by Molly Pearson, whipped maidens on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 28 and last was a good seventh (beaten just two lengths) on Santa Anita’s hillside turf course Oct. 7.

Jeff & Jack Coady Sr. (Race 7)

KEY CONTENDERS

Arizona Moon, by Macho Uno
Last 3 Beyers: 21-82-76

* Rallied gamely to break his maiden on this course at this type of trip 364 days ago.

* Showed that despite being eased last time out he’s doing well, posting a strong 4-furlong work here Oct. 30 (:47.40, second-fastest of 46 that day).

Risky Venture, by U S Ranger
Last 3 Beyers: 72-72-66

* Is bred for this as his sire was a top-class turf miler in Europe.

* Has shown speed and versatility: his maiden win came wire to wire. He also rallied from well back to be second in a dirt sprint Oct. 1.

Cable Jett, by Flower Alley
Last 3 Beyers: 70-60-59

* Broke his maiden on this course at this distance April 4.

* Set the pace and finished a sharp second to be beaten just a neck on the Canterbury Downs turf two races back, Aug. 28, only to be disqualified and placed seventh for drifting out in the lane.