Chief Cicatriz brings dangerous speed to Phoenix Gold Cup

PHOENIX – There’s no Kabraaj, who was so dazzling earlier at this meet, and no Absolutely Cool, the 2014 and 2015 winner, in Saturday’s $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup, but the marquee event of the Turf Paradise meet remains an intriguing contest between top local sprinters and invaders. The six-furlong event drew a field of 11 older horses and goes as race 6.

The card also includes two grass stakes, the $30,000 Sun City Handicap and the $30,000 Turf Paradise Handicap.

Favoritism in the Gold Cup may fall to Chief Cicatriz, a 4-year-old gelding who has made all four of his starts in New Mexico. Chief Cicatriz is unbeaten and comes off a three-length win in the KLAQ Handicap at Sunland Park on Dec. 17 for owner Roy Gene Evans and trainer Shawn Davis. Daniel Vergara rides.

The Southern California invader Alley Boss looks dangerous. Alley Boss, trained by Molly Pearson, led early and tired in his last two outings, both over wet going at Santa Anita. In his prior two races, he romped by 11 1/2 lengths in a maiden-claiming race at Santa Anita in October and then won a starter allowance by 5 1/4 lengths at Del Mar in November.

Turf Paradise locals Masterful Stride and Saturdaynitelites just ran one-two, separated by a length, in the Hank Mills Sr. Handicap here. Masterful Stride, trained by Scott Rollins, led all the way under Jorge Bourdieu, who is back aboard Saturday.

Saturdaynitelites, trained by Wade Rarick, pressed Masterful Stride every step of the way. Scott Stevens has a return call.

PHOENIX GOLD CUP

KEY CONTENDERS

Chief Cicatriz, by Munnings

Last 3 Beyers: 89-88-82

◗ Has been behind a horse only once at a point of call, when second by just a head early in his last start.

◗ Continues to work strongly for his local debut, including four furlongs here in 47.40 seconds last Sunday.

Alley Boss, by Twirling Candy

Last 3 Beyers: 74-86-92

◗ Owns the top dirt Beyer Speed Figure in the field, a 92 for his starter-allowance win.

◗ For all her success on this circuit, Pearson has yet to win this race.

Masterful Stride, by Posse

Last 3 Beyers: 85-78-65

◗ Set a sizzling pace and opened up a commanding lead but tired to finish fourth in this race last year.

◗ Worked a bullet six furlongs in 1:13.40 here Jan. 28.