On a sweltering Saturday at Turf Paradise with record-setting heat it seemed fitting some of the hottest sprinters around displayed their sizzling speed in the $50,000 Phoenix Gold Cup. But it was longshot Distant Fleet ($54.40) who overcame the heat, both literally and figuratively, to capture the meet’s marquee event. Owned by Luis Ruiz and trained by Raymond Valerio, the winner, a 4-year-old son of Stay Thirsty, sat midpack from the start of the 6-furlong event, made steady progress while wide into the lane under Karlo Lopez and battled on gamely for the neck win at 26-1. Book Smart chased the pace and kept on to be a game second with Departure rallying for third. See Through It, the 7-5 favorite, was never a factor, finishing seventh in the field of nine. The winner ran the time in a fast 1:07.58. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. In the other stakes action: Cotton Fitzsimmons Handicap Saline River ($6.40) was second in this last year to Kennebec, but got some revenge as he was an easy winner of the mile grass event. Under Geovanni Franco he sat second early, took over into the far turn and blew the race open from there, winning by 5 3/4 lengths. Owned by Charles Garvey and trained by Robertino Diodoro, he ran the distance in a brisk 1:34.13. Maltese Falcon stalked and kept on for second while 6-5 favorite and defending champ Kennebec sat back early and ran on for third in the field of seven. Turf Paradise Derby Independence Rise ($3.40), the heavy 7-10 favorite, went right to the lead and never looked back under Guillermo Rodriguez, winning the 1 1/16-mile event for 3-year-olds by a facile 8 3/4 lengths. Owned by Sheila and Steve Regan and Norman Tremblay and trained by Robertino Diodoro, he ran the distance in 1:24.16. Pick It Up chased the winner from the start to get second with Daneyko a rallying third in the field of seven. Arizona Oaks Song of Songs ($3.40), the overwhelming 7-10 favorite, stalked the pace before taking over into the lane and drawing off under Carlos Montalvo to win the mile event for 3-year-old fillies in a romp by 14 1/2 lengths. Owned by Richard Perkins and trained by Kevin Eikleberry, she ran the distance in 1:37.12. Lexithia set the pace before finishing second, while Stratia ran on for third in the field of five. Queen of the Green Dontgiveupthefight ($27) used her speed and saved ground from her rail slot as the 4-year-old daughter of Jimmy Creed captured the $30,000 mile turf contest for fillies and mares. Owned by Charles Garvey and trained by Robertino Diodoro, she was racing on grass for the first time. Under Giovanni Franco she stalked while saving ground as Sayucan set the pace, swung out into the lane and kept on gamely to get up for the neck tally. She ran the distance in 1:35.25. Rosie Jeeks rallied from last for second while C’S Lilly Dancer rallied for third. Fugitive Star, the 6-5 favorite, chased the early pace before giving way to end up last of six. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.