Four rivals head cast of Ahwatukee Express

PHOENIX - Saturday's $45,000 Ahwatukee Express Stakes at Turf Paradise looks like a reunion. Famous Gal, Against the Law, Beacon Falls, and Torrance knocked heads here a number of times last season. Those four will renew acquaintances in the six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies.

Toss in Southern California raider Chocolate Lava, Emerald hotshot Gadget Queen, and the emerging Wine Tasting Room, and you have the makings of a tough sprint.

Favoritism may fall to Against the Law, even though she hasn't run since finishing third behind Famous Gal as the 7-5 favorite in the March 11 Cactus Cup here. Trained by Dan McFarlane, Against the Law has been freshened, a move that paid off big time here last fall. She came back from a layoff in the Ms. Gibson County here last November and won by 10.

Against the Law ended up with four wins during the 2006-2007 season here but ended her campaign on a bit of a decline. She was eighth in the Arizona Oaks, finding a mile too far. She then chased Famous Gal early in the Cactus Cup and finished third, more than five lengths behind that rival. Regular rider Glen Corbett has the call on Saturday.

Famous Gal likewise hasn't been seen since her splendid Cactus Cup victory in March. Famous Gal also won an allowance race here last season. But in her other three races last meet she was beaten each time by Against the Law. Regular rider Juan Rivera will be aboard Saturday.

Torrance romped in the 6 1/2-furlong Arizona Juvenile Filly here Dec. 30, whipping Against the Law. But Torrance then failed to threaten in the Sun Devil and Arizona Oaks here in the winter. Both races were at a mile, and she moves back to what may be her best game. Miguel Ruis will be aboard.

Chocolate Lava won her maiden at Fairplex Sept. 17. Last march she chased Magnificience, who developed into one of the top fillies in the country, in a maiden race at Santa Anita.

Gadget Queen ran well in a $25,000 claiming sprint at Emerald July 29, then was second in a mile allowance race there Aug. 12 and in the J.K. Fletcher there Sept. 16.