Familiar foes battle again in Luke Kruytbosch Stakes

PHOENIX – Your first look at the field for Saturday’s $35,000 Luke Kruytbosch at Turf Paradise may seem like déjà vu, that you’ve seen this before. Well, you wouldn’t be far off, as the six-furlong event for 3-year-olds and up brings back the top four finishers from the opening-day Bienvenidos, won by Izzy the Warrior followed by Bourbon Cowboy, Freedom Hill, and Creative Art. The Kruytbosch field of seven also includes Kaabraaj, seventh in the Bienvenidos but winner of this race last year.

Izzy the Warrior, a 5-year-old son of Warrior’s Reward owned by Randy Marriott and saddled by leading trainer Robertino Diodoro, stalked the pace before grabbing the lead into the lane of the Bienvenidos on Oct. 13 and held on to win by a half-length under Francisco Arrieta. That was his first start on this track after having won races at Canterbury, Churchill, and Gulfstream earlier this year. Arrieta is aboard again.

Bourbon Cowboy gives Diodoro a strong hold on this race as he also trains this 6-year-old son of Cowboy Cal owned by Lana Smith, Randy Howg, and Selman Shaby. He stalked and rallied for second to his stablemate Izzy the Warrior under Leslie Mawing in the Bienvenidos. Mawing rides again.

Creative Art, an 8-year-old gelding by Shore Breeze owned by Frank Bemis and Shawn Davis and trained by Davis, dueled early in the Bienvenidos under Scott Stevens before tiring to fourth. Stevens is aboard again.

Freedom Hill, a 5-year-old gelded son of Summer Bird owned by Tim Bankers and trained by Manuel Ortiz, rallied in the Bienvenidos to finish third.

LUKE KRUYTBOSCH (Race 7)

KEY CONTENDERS

Izzy the Warrior, by Warrior’s Reward
Last 3 Beyers: 87-82-72

◗ Won the Bienvenidos on a sloppy track, but all of his other five wins came on dry-fast dirt.

◗ Has finished in the trifecta in 6 of 7 starts since being claimed by Diodoro on May 2.

Bourbon Cowboy, by Cowboy Cal
Last 3 Beyers: 85-86-88

◗ Went off the 8-5 favorite in the Bienvenidos after two straight wins at Canterbury Downs this summer, including a stakes.

◗ Posted a sizzling four-furlong in 44.80 seconds work here Nov. 4 to show he holds his edge.

Creative Art, by Shore Breeze
Last 3 Beyers: 80-90-69

◗ Has speed and as an 18-time winner merits much respect.

◗ Showed his readiness with a strong four-furlong work in 47.60 here Oct. 27.