Favorites sweep four stakes for Arizona-breds

After a number of frustrating close calls, Table Mesa got back on track as the heavy favorite in Saturday's $50,000 Ann Owens Distaff Handicap at Turf Paradise, the lead event on a card with four stakes for Arizona-breds.

Sent off the 3-5 favorite in the six-furlong race for fillies and mares, Table Mesa ($3.20) bided her time toward the back early in the field of nine, steadily advanced while staying wide under Scott Stevens and made a long, sustained run that carried her past her rivals, finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of Smoky Creek. Smoky Creek was a neck ahead of Twenty Five Red.

Beacon Falls, the defending champ, stalked the early pace but was pulled up and had to be vanned off.

Trained by Sandi Gann, Table Mesa ran the distance in 1:11.07. The winner's share of $30,000 pushed her career bankroll to $123,709 from 5 wins in 23 starts.

* Got an Itch ($2.80) had no trouble as the heavy 2-5 favorite in the $50,000 Joanne Dye Stakes, biding her time early in the field of eight and powering past her rivals to win going away by three lengths in the 6 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies.

Got an Itch, ridden by Ray Eikleberry and trained by Molly Pearson ran the distance in 1:17.82. She has won 4 of 12 starts and $127,410.

* White Spar ($4.40) gained a measure of revenge in the $30,000 Sandra Hall Grand Canyon Handicap. Trained by Sam Aiton and ridden by Dennis Collins, White Spar ran second in this race last year to Hidden Character. This time, White Spar stalked the pace as the 6-5 favorite, took over into the lane, and drew off to win easily by four lengths. Chester's Due rallied for second, a head in front of Hidden Character in the field of six.

White Spa, who has won 7 of 21 starts and $225,317, ran six furlongs in 1:09.48

* Pinal ($2.60) completely dominated the $48,000 Arizona Breeders Derby to make it a clean sweep of the four stakes for the favorites. Trained by Kevin Lewis and ridden by Eikleberry, Pinal went right to the lead in the 1 1/16-mile race and never had an anxious moment, establishing a clear lead and drawing off to win with complete authority by 13 lengths. Pinal ran the distance in 1:44.97.

He has easily established himself the leader of the Arizona-bred 3-year-old male division. The winner's share of $25,500 pushed Pinal's career bankroll to $83,743 from 3 wins in 8 starts.