Californians sweep stakes

PHOENIX - It was a good day for Southern California invaders, as they swept the three featured stakes on Turf Paradise's Super Saturday card. The Everest Stables and trainer Marcelo Polanco in particular enjoyed the rainy festivities as they landed two of the three top prizes.

Night Patrol, a tough 9-year-old, captured the $98,500 Turf Paradise Breeders' Cup Handicap for Everest and Polanco. The veteran was winning his 11th race in 60 outings in the Turf Paradise BC, which was run on yielding turf caused by heavy rains in recent few days. That caused the scratch of morning-line favorite Ay Caramba.

Night Patrol sat midpack early, steadily advanced on the far turn and into the lane, then powered home to win clear by almost three lengths. He covered the 1 1/16 miles on yielding turf in 1:44.39 under rider Kerwin John. The winner's share of $60,000 pushed his career earnings to over $818,000. He paid $15.20.

Local runners Vigilant Site and Paladin Power ran on well to be second and third, respectively. California invader and heavy 4-5 favorite True Dancer was last early and finished well to be fourth. Top local runner Grimm dueled early, still led in midstretch but got tired and faded to fifth.

She Sings romps in Oaks

Polanco and Everest posed a couple hours earlier when their She Sings romped by 10 lengths in the $75,000 Arizona Oaks. She Sings, ridden by Casey Fusilier, stalked the early pace, took over going into the backstretch, and then extended her lead to win handily over favored Virden. She Sings avenged her loss to Virden in the Sun Devil here on Jan. 22. She Sings covered the 1 1/16 miles on the muddy track in 1:43.85. Virden sat midpack and finished decently to be second, though no threat to the winner. Mi Luna Nueva rallied to be third. She Sings earned $45,000 for the win, pushing her bankroll to nearly $85,000 with two victories from seven starts. She paid $11.

General John B wire to wire

General John B did the Southern Californians proud again with a wire-to-wire win in the $100,000 . Owned by Ross McLeod and trained by Roger Stein, General John B jumped out to a narrow lead and then steadily drew off eventually winning clear by six lengths under Jon Court. He covered the 1 1/16 miles in muddy going in 1:45.48 and paid $7. He earned $60,000 for the win, giving him earnings of over $108,000 from three wins in five starts. Quiet Money, another Everest runner, rallied to be second, while Lead for Speed, the top local 3-year-old, was last early and finished well to be third. Stormin Away, the 3-2 favorite ran evenly without threatening.