Autumn Blitz collects maiden victory in Fall Sales Stakes

Autumn Blitz, a maiden invader from California, found the new surroundings to his liking as the 2-year-old colt captured Sunday’s $79,845 colts and geldings division of the Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders Association Fall Sales Stakes at Turf Paradise.

Owned by Curt and Lila Lanning and trained by Frank Lucarelli, Autumn Blitz ($18.40), a son of champion sprinter Orientate ridden by Jake Barton, dogged pacesetter Taste’s Secret from the start of the six-furlong event, dueled with that foe to midstretch, got the better of him, and drew away late to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Taste’s Secret, the 6-5 favorite, held second, three lengths ahead of Waste it Wisely in the field of 11.

Autumn Blitz ran the distance in 1:10.38. The winner’s share of $51,304 gives him earnings of $63,944 from one win in four starts.

Heidi’s in Charge, coming off a big maiden win in her first try over this track last month, validated that as she captured the $46,686 2-year-old filly division of the ATBA Fall Sales Stakes.

Owned by Mark Breen and trained by Dan McFarlane, Heidi’s in Charge ($7) is a daughter of Ez Dreamer, who was a multiple stakes winner here. Heidi's in Charge stalked in third as Lieutenant Margie set a strong pace in the six-furlong race, angled out for room into the lane, and finished resolutely under Israel Hernandez to go past Lieutenant Margie and draw off to win by two lengths. Lieutenant Margie held well to finish second, well clear of Lady Tam, who rallied for third. Successfulpocket, the 6-5 favorite off a big debut win at Los Alamitos on Sept. 11, got squeezed back at the start to get away last and ran on for fourth in the field of eight.

Heidi’s in Charge ran the distance in 1:11.25 and the winner’s share of $25,937 gives her earnings of $47,849 from two wins in eight starts.