Divisions of Arizona Breeders' Futurity top four-stakes card
PHOENIX – Heidi’s in Charge looks to dominate some of the same rivals she beat last month in the ATBA Sales Stakes when she heads the filly division of the $50,000 Arizona Breeders’ Futurity on Saturday at Turf Paradise. In the second division, which is for colts and geldings, invader Coolidge may be the one to beat.
Each Arizona Breeders’ Futurity division, for qualifying 2-year-olds bred in Arizona, is at six furlongs. The filly division (race 2) drew a field of six while the colts and geldings division (race 7) drew nine.
Also on Saturday, Turf Paradise has carded two $25,000 stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs – the Cactus Wren for 3-year-olds and up and the Cactus Flower for fillies and mares.
Trainer Don Schnell holds a strong hand in the colts and geldings division with the pair of Coolidge and Heber. Coolidge, owned by Schnell and Barry Arnason, won the Manzano on Sept. 25 at Albuquerque, a race in which Heber ran fourth. Heber, also owned by Schnell and Arnason, has a race over the track. He broke slowly against optional claimers here Nov. 18, rushed up to press the pace, and weakened to finish third, beaten 12 3/4 lengths by runaway winner Big Finish.
The main threat to the Schnell horses may come from a maiden, Two the Punch, who invades from Southern California for trainer Kory Owens. He races with blinkers for the first time.
Heidi’s in Charge short price
Heidi’s in Charge, owned by Mark Breen and trained by Dan McFarlane, figures a heavy favorite in the filly division off two straight impressive wins. She whipped maidens here Oct. 18 and then easily won the ATBA Sales Stakes here Nov. 1.
Lieutenant Margie, trained by Kevin Eikleberry, is her main rival. She finished second to Heidi’s in Charge in both those outings – the only two starts of her career.
◗ Veteran sprinters Jamaican Memories and Rockin Home, the defending champ, head the Cactus Wren, which drew a field of six.
◗ Winning Vision looms an overwhelming favorite in the Cactus Flower. She’s won three in a row, the last two stakes over this track. The Cactus Flower drew a field of seven, including defending champ Camille.
Key contenders
ARIZONA BREEDERS’ FUTURITY (colts and geldings division, race 7)
COOLIDGE (Last 3 Beyers: 59-57-45)
◗ Ran second to Heber in the Winnipeg Futurity on Sept. 6 at Assiniboia Downs before winning the Manzano.
◗ Has worked smartly over this track for his first local start.
HEBER (Last 3 Beyers: 57-36-61)
◗ Traded decisions with Coolidge and then didn’t race for seven weeks, so he may benefit from his Nov. 18 run here.
TWO THE PUNCH (Last 3 Beyers: 66-56-57)
◗ Despite being a maiden, he may have been facing tougher in Southern California.
◗ His most recent Beyer Speed Figure of 66 is higher than any figure earned by Coolidge or Heber.
ARIZONA BREEDERS’ FUTURITY (Filly division, race 2)
HEIDI’S IN CHARGE (Last 3 Beyers: 53-53-0)
◗ She’s worked well since her last race.
◗ She is a daughter of Ez Dreamer, a multiple stakes winner here.
LIEUTENANT MARGIE (Beyers: 49-48)
◗ Has the speed to be involved from the start.
◗ Worked four furlongs in 48.80 seconds here Nov. 18.