Bienvenidos kicks off Turf Paradise meet

PHOENIX – The 2016-17 Turf Paradise season begins Saturday with the $30,000 Bienvenidos, the traditional opening-day feature. The Bienvenidos, a 6 1/2-furlong event for 3-year-olds and up, drew a field of nine headed by Storm Power and Absolutely Cool, stalwarts in the local sprint division during the past few seasons.

The Phoenix track’s 61st season runs through May 7, for a total of 130 racing days featuring 35 stakes races. Racing is run primarily Saturdays through Wednesdays. First post is 12:40 p.m. Pacific through Feb. 28, then 1:25 p.m. for the remainder of the meet.

General manager Vincent Francia said that Turf Paradise is “proud to be carrying on the tradition of Arizona horse racing for a seventh decade.”

“We look forward to welcoming a new generation of horse-racing enthusiasts and welcoming back our loyal fans,” he said.

Storm Power may be the one to beat in the Bienvenidos. He was a sharp second in the Phoenix Gold Cup on Feb. 13 in his most recent start here. He’s won two of four since, including stakes wins at Prairie Meadows on May 28 and Canterbury Park last out Sept. 17. Scott Stevens rode Storm Power at Canterbury and is aboard again for trainer Robertino Diodoro.

Absolutely Cool, now 9 and the defending race winner, has had a terrific career, including a win in the 2015 Phoenix Gold Cup. He finished third in that race this year. Absolutely Cool returns to sprinting after finishing sixth and fourth in a pair of route stakes at Emerald Downs this summer. Jake Barton rides for trainer Valorie Lund.

Kaabraaj returns to dirt for trainer Jeff Metz after dueling through a sizzling pace and fading to ninth in a division of the Grade 3 Eddie D on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on Sept. 30.

KEY CONTENDERS

Storm Power, by Tiz Wonderful

Last 3 Beyers: 84-76-89

◗ He can race close to the pace or come from the back of the pack.

◗ He’s won three of seven starts here.

◗ Worked four furlongs in 47.20 seconds here Oct. 3.

Absolutely Cool, by Absolute Harmony

Last 3 Beyers: 80-82-89

◗ Does his best running from well off the pace.

◗ He has won 12 times, with 10 wins here, including several stakes.

Kaabraaj, by Albraaj

Last 3 Beyers: 80-54-90

◗ Finished a respectable fourth in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby at Del Mar on Sept. 5. Lord Nelson, who may be the country’s top sprinter, won the race.

◗ Ran fifth in his only local start, last January’s Hank Mills Sr. Handicap, with Absolutely Cool and Storm Power finishing first and second.