Az Ridge goes long for Hasta La Vista Handicap

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Az Ridge looks to stamp himself the horse of the meet as he leads a field of six in the $35,000 Hasta La Vista Handicap at Turf Paradise on Tuesday. The 1 7/8-mile grass event is the traditional closing-day fixture as the Phoenix track brings down the curtain on its 144-day meet.

Owned by the Sawyer Cattle Company and trained by Dan McFarlane, Az Ridge, a 6-year-old son of Toccet, has had quite the meet. He ran second in the Hank Mills Sr. on dirt and was third in the Cotton Fitzsimmons on turf, both at a mile. He’s gotten better with more distance, easily winning the Turf Paradise Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf Feb. 14 and romping by 6 1/4 lengths in the Wildcat Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf here April 4.

That’s the traditional prep for this race, and while he must deal with another four furlongs and a trip he’s never tried, he ran on that day as if he can handle it. Geovanni Franco rides the 124-pound highweight.

Crushed It, owned by Bada Beng Racing LLC and trained by Mike Chambers, is next in the weights at 120 pounds and comes off a smart win going a mile here.

Also on the closing-day card is the $35,000 ATBA Spring Sales Stakes. The five-furlong event for 2-year-olds who were consigned to the 2014 fall sale drew a field of nine, headed by the gelding Taste’s Secret and the filly Chargin Bye, romping winners of their debuts here April 18.

Hasta La Vista Handicap (race 8)

Key contenders

Az Ridge (Last 3 Beyers: 90-94-95)

* Boasts seven Beyer Speed Figures in the 90s in the last year. Only one rival, Stoney Fleece, can boast of hitting the 90 Beyer mark, and that came some time ago.

* Has proven to be a real pro as he’s won 12 of 37. He’s shown the versatility, too, to give his rider options, and his tractability should help as he heads into uncharted waters distance-wise.

Crushed It (Last 3 Beyers: 82-55-80)

* Was well regarded enough last fall to earn a start in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita, though he was no factor there as he stumbled badly at the start and finished last of 11 at 94-1.

* Came here after a freshening and was a game winner here April 18 going a mile, showing enough tactical speed to be prominent from the start.

Pacific Night (Last 3 Beyers: 78-73-78)

* Has won four of his last five, three of those wins coming on this grass course.

* Has some distance experience as he finished a close third, beaten just a half-length (was awarded second via disqualification) going 1 1/2 miles on this course March 28.