Carouse looks tough off last in Coady Stakes
PHOENIX – Carouse looks to prove that his last race, an easy win on turf, was no fluke in Saturday’s $35,000 Jeff and Jack Coady Sr. Stakes at Turf Paradise. The one-mile grass event for 3-year-olds drew a field of eight. Also on the card is the $35,000 Chandler Stakes, a one-mile turf race for fillies that also drew eight.
Carouse, owned by Charles Garvey and trained by Robertino Diodoro, won a maiden race at Monmouth Park in May in his second start. After finishing sixth in the Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia Downs, he was sent to Canterbury Park, where he ran fourth in a one-mile allowance on dirt Sept. 3.
Carouse moved to turf here Oct. 24 and powered home under Jorge Carreno to win a 7 1/2-furlong allowance by 2 1/4 lengths. Carreno remains aboard Carouse on Saturday.
His main rival might be Ride Hard Kowboy. Trained by Molly Pearson, Ride Hard Kowboy won the Tempe Handicap on this course and at this trip March 14. He’s winless in seven starts since, all in California, so returning here could be key.
There’s no standout in the Chandler, but perhaps the main protagonists are Showcase Winner and Hip Ninety Three.
Showcase Winner won on turf for $32,000 at Del Mar on Aug. 27 and was claimed. Owned by Andy Spitalny and trained by J.J. Kruljac, she finished fifth in an optional-claiming race on the turf here Oct. 24.
Hip Ninety Three, trained by F.C. Frazier, won an allowance on turf here in May. She has not raced since a seventh-place finish on dirt at Emerald Downs in June.
KEY CONTENDERS
JEFF and JACK COADY (RACE 5)
Carouse (Last 3 Beyers: 68-69-55)
◗ He cost $475,000 at auction in 2013.
◗ It’s no surprise that he handles turf. His sire, two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, is best known for his dirt prowess, but he ran second in his only start on turf and is by Smart Strike, who sired grass champion English Channel.
◗ He has versatility. While his Oct. 24 turf win was accomplished from well off the pace, his maiden win on dirt at Monmouth was done in wire-to-wire fashion.
Ride Hard Kowboy (Last 3 Beyers: 66-73-69)
◗ He is a perfect 3 for 3 on this turf course.
◗ Trainer Pearson has won with three of her first four starters at this meet.
Shrewd Move (Last 3 Beyers: 69-67-76)
◗ He is winless in three turf starts but ran third March 14 in the Tempe on this course and at this trip, beaten just a neck by Ride Hard Kowboy.
◗ Looks fit and ready, judging by his five-furlong work in 59.80 seconds here Oct. 31.
CHANDLER (RACE 7)
Showcase Winner (Last 3 Beyers: 68-72-73)
◗ May have needed her last outing as it was her first start in two months. It was also her first start here.
◗ Worked a bullet five furlongs in 59.80 here Oct. 30.
Hip Ninety Three (Last 3 Beyers: 47-62-72)
◗ She is 2 for 3 on turf and 2 for 2 on this course.
◗ She hasn’t run since June 28, but her grass win here May 1 came off a layoff.