Chief Cicatriz outlasts Raagheb in Phoenix Gold Cup

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Chief Cicatriz won the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup at Turf Paradise in 2017 and 2018. He missed the 2019 race and in 2020, as the 3-2 favorite, could manage only third.

Well, the 8-year-old gelded son of Munnings showed old habits die hard as he won this year’s Gold Cup at Turf Paradise on Friday as the 9-10 favorite in the meet’s marquee event.

But it wasn’t easy.

Under Alfredo Juarez Jr., Chief Cicatriz ($3.80) stalked in third as 2-1 second choice Minister of Soul set a blistering pace (21.56, :3.33) in the 6-furlong event, went after Minister of Soul into the lane, got the better of him by the eighth pole, looked on his way to a comfortable win only to have Raagheb charge at him late, but getting to the wire a neck in front.

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Owned by Roy Gene Evans and trained by Shawn Davis, Chief Cicatriz ran the distance in a sharp 1:08.83 on a track listed as ‘fast’ despite some rain overnight and during the day. Raagheb was second, three lengths ahead of Minister of Soul in third in the field of five. Oliver scratched on race morning.

The winner’s share of $46,500 pushes Chief Cicatriz's earnings to $609,795 from 16 wins in 26 starts.

*** Don’tpassthepepper ($17.40) won two straight on dirt before finishing a game second on turf here Feb. 11, and that came vs. males. Back to dirt and back vs. fillies, the 3-year-old daughter of Fast Anna responded to win the $50,000 Arizona Oaks.

Owned by Roys Mansur and trained by Edward Kereluk, Don’tpassthepepper sat back early in the mile race under Leslie Mawing as Time for Gold and Gemstone Gal set a solid pace, made a smart wide run to reach contention by the far turn and outfinished Gemstone Gal by a head. It was just another length back to a rallying Focus First in third in the field of eight 3-year-old fillies. Empire House, a $500,000 daughter of Empire Maker who invaded from Southern California and was the even-money favorite, was very wide throughout and never a factor, finishing seventh.

Don’tpassthepepper ran the mile in 1:38.75.

*** For a third straight year the venerable veteran Ohio shipped here from Southern California to win the $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Handicap.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Bruce Treitman and trained by Michael McCarthy, Ohio ($4.80), 10-year-old gelded son of Elusive Quality and a Grade 1 winner just two years ago, showed there’s still plenty of gas in the tank. The 7-5 favorite, under Luis Fuentes from his far-outside post in the field of eight elders going a mile on ‘firm’ turf, chased pacesetter Overdue, went in earnest into the lane, got the better of Overdue inside the eighth pole and edged clear to win by two lengths. Overdue stayed on for second with Popular Kid another 1 3/4 lengths back in third. Ohio ran the mile in 1:37.27. He’s now earned $639,298 from 11 wins in 36 starts.

*** It’s My House showed talent on synthetic footing at Golden Gate this fall/winter and had no trouble transferring that form to dirt here as the 3-year-old colt by Anthony’s Cross gamely won the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby. Owned by Larry Katz and trained by Bob Hess Jr., It’s My House ($6.20), the 2-1 favorite in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds, pressed the issue from the start under Glenn Corbett, dueling with Saturday Value, held a narrow lead to the far turn, dispatched with ‘Value only to be confronted by Tony’s Tapit into the lane before holding on to win by three-quarters of a length.

Tapit finished far ahead (7 1/2 lengths) of Saturday Value in third in the field of nine.

It’s My House ran the distance in 1:45.05.