Eight of top locals sprinting in G Malleah

Some of the best sprinters on the grounds line up in the $50,000 G Malleah Handicap at Turf Paradise in a field of eight for the six-furlong race. The G Malleah, named after the superb sprinter who set the world record for six furlongs (1:06.60) at Turf Paradise on April 8, 1995, is the main local prep for the meet's marquee event, the $100,000 Phoenix Gold Cup on Feb. 16.

Trail This may rates the narrowest of edges on Saturday for his owner and trainer, Robert Score, and his regular rider, Ry Eikleberry. Trail This was brilliant at Turf Paradise last March, romping to victory in the Coyote Handicap at about the same trip as Saturday's, and earning a 101 Beyer Speed Figure.

However, he wasn't seen again until the Dec. 18 Answer Do, when he dueled early and faltered to sixth behind Goin' Dancin', whom he faces again Saturday.

Still, Trail This apparently got the work he needed from that start because he came back in the Jan. 5 Swift, again dueled, and then blew the race wide open going into the lane. He held on easily for a 1 3/4-length win.

Ducky Drake and Bobadieu, two others in Saturday's race, chased Trail This home in second and third, respectively, that day.

Ducky Drake wasn't able to reel in Trail This in the Swift, but that race was his first race over this track. He had been on a roll in New Mexico for trainer Bart Hone, finishing in the exacta in eight straight starts, including five victories. Three of the wins came in stakes. In the Swift, he fell far back early under Mark Villa but powered home to finished well. Villa rides again.

Bobadieu finished only a nose behind Ducky Drake in the Swift, and apparently has held his good form. He previously had won three in a row at this track, including the Caballos del Sol and Petro D. Jay in November before running fourth in the Answer Do prior to his start in the Swift.

Bump defeated optional claimers here on Dec. 17, earning a 90 Beyer. He has 16 career wins, 11 of them on this track. King Justin was a close third in the Petro D. Jay and came back to win in the Cactus Wren against Arizona-breds here Dec. 22. Since that win he worked three furlongs in a phenomenal 32.80 seconds here Jan. 19.