Californians look strong in Walter R. Cluer, Queen of the Green
PHOENIX – An onslaught of raiders may make life tough for the locals in a pair of 7 1/2-furlong turf stakes at Turf Paradise on Friday. A field of nine 4-year-olds and up goes in the $60,000 Walter R. Cluer (race 5), headed by SoCal invaders Zoffarelli, Majestic Eagle, and K P All Systems Go, while a field of 10 (plus two also-eligibles) is slated for the $60,000 Queen of the Green (race 8). That race, for fillies and mares, 4-years-old and up, is headed by SoCal invaders Brooke and Zydeco Mama.
Walter R. Cluer Stakes
Zoffarelli ships in off four straight decent efforts against graded stakes company in Southern California. The 4-year-old gelded son of Zoffany most recently finished sixth, though not beaten all that far, in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar Nov. 27 for owner Red Barons Barn LLC and Rancho Temescal LLC and trainer Jeff Mullins.
Majestic Eagle, a 7-year-old gelded son of Medaglia d’Oro owned by Rave Green Racing and trained by Neil Drysdale, comes off a solid fourth in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit at Del Mar on Nov. 27.
K P All Systems Go ran sixth in a tough optional claimer at Del Mar Nov. 25. He was claimed that day for $40,000 by Stable HMA and trainer Jeff Metz.
The best local hope may be Tiger Dad. A 6-year-old gelded son of Smiling Tiger owned by Rosette Racing LLC and trained by Robertino Diodoro, Tiger Dad is coming off two straight dirt wins here, including the Luke Kruytbosch on Nov. 26. He moves to turf where he has a 7-2-3-1 record.
Queen of the Green Stakes
Brooke, a 5-year-old mare by No Nay Never owned by El Tata Stables and trained by Michael McCarthy, appears to hold the aces in the Queen of the Green. The mare was a Group 1 winner in her native Chile and was competitive in stakes in California in 2021, including twice being Grade 3-placed.
Zydeco Mama, a 5-year-old daughter of Hard Spun, is owned by Big Chief Racing LLC, Rocker O Ranch LLC, and Keith Desormeaux and is trained by Desormeaux. She may not have the résumé of her fellow California raider but comes here in good form off two thirds against allowance foes.
The top local hope may be Clockstrikestwelve. A 6-year-old daughter of New Year’s Day, Clockstrikestwelve is owned by Michael Rosenmayer and trained by Jonathan Wong. She is coming off a good second in the Phoenix routing on dirt here Nov. 26 but is proven on turf as she’s posted four of her seven career wins on the grass.
My Crafty Gal, a 7-year-old daughter of Top Hit owned by Alberto Flores and trained by Priscilla Leon, comes off two big wins on this course over lesser. She’s won seven of her 11 starts on this course.