Aventador tries to rebound in Wildcat Handicap
PHOENIX – The top grass stayers on the Arizona circuit knock heads at 1 3/8 miles in Saturday’s $30,000 Wildcat Handicap (race 7) at Turf Paradise. Nine go at it, led by 121-pound highweight Aventador.
Also on the card is the $30,000 Arizona Stallion Stakes for 3-year-olds at about 7 1/2 furlongs on turf (race 4). A field of nine is entered, led by Sedona Sunrise and Chelokee’s Legacy.
Aventador, owned by Mark Staudacher and trained by Kathy Schenk, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite. The 6-year-old son of Zafeen blasted home to easily win the 1 1/16-mile Turf Paradise Handicap on Feb. 11 at a hefty 17-1.
However, he failed to back up that big run in a 1 1/8-mile allowance turf race here March 5, when as the 9-10 favorite he went right out to the lead but tired to fifth. The top three from that race (Sir Searsucker, Red Zeus, and Arizona Moon) are all lined up against him again here. Scott Stevens rides Aventador on Saturday.
Sir Searsucker is a proven commodity at the 1 3/8-mile distance. Owned by Robert Hersh and Dan McFarlane and trained by McFarlane, Sir Searsucker ran second to Blue Bomber in this race last year. Blue Bomber, trained by Robertino Diodoro, is back to defend his title. He hasn’t been as sharp as he was last year and makes his first start since setting the pace and fading to seventh in the Turf Paradise Handicap.
Red Zeus is a multiple stakes winner on this course, while Arizona Moon has been knocking on the door with three straight third-place finishes.
◗ The Arizona Stallion is a complete grab bag. Not only have none of the nine won on turf, four are maidens.
Sedona Sunrise, owned by Andy Spitalny and trained by J.J. Kruljac, ran 10th in the Tempe Handicap, his only turf start, last time out March 11. This is surely a softer spot, and he now has a feel for turf. Prior to the Tempe, Sedona Sunrise was in sharp form.
The same can be said for Chelokee’s Legacy, who dueled up front before fading to seventh in the Tempe Handicap, also his first turf start.