Got an Itch, Pinal each has something to prove

PHOENIX - One horse is looking for the revenge. Another for affirmation. Those are the two story lines for Saturday's divisions of the $50,000 Arizona Breeders Stakes. The two races, both for Arizona-bred juveniles, are at six furlongs.

The filly division, race 7 on the nine-race card, drew a field of 10 headed by Got an Itch, who is out to make amends after running second in the ATBA Sales Stakes here at 1-5 behind Lonesome Creek, who is lined against her again. The colt-and-gelding division (race 8) drew a field of 12 with Pinal looking to prove his 12 3/4-length maiden win here on Nov. 13 was no fluke.

Got an Itch, owned by Just for Fun Farms and trained by Molly Pearson, blossomed in Northern California in the spring and summer. After three strong races and a layoff she came here Oct. 2 and romped by 10 3/4 lengths at 3-5 in the trial for the ATBA Sales Stakes. Finishing third that day, 11 3/4 lengths behind, was Lonesome Creek.

But in the Oct. 17 ATBA Sales Stakes finale, Got an Itch stalked the pace under Ry Eikleberry and couldn't finish with Lonesome Creek. Eikleberry rides again.

Lonesome Creek ran second against males in the Yavapai County Arizona Breeders Futurity in June. She was off for over three months, and came back in the ATBA Sales Stakes trials. She moved forward under Eddie Garcia to post the upset in the finals. Garcia rides again.

New shooter Jacksonville could be a factor. She dueled for the lead and drew off to easily win her debut here Oct. 23.

Pinal, like Jacksonville owned by Dennis Weir and trained by Kevin Lewis, is the horse to beat in the male division. A son of Rocky Bar, Pinal was a non-factor seventh in his debut here Oct. 24 but put it all together Nov. 13 in the trial for this race, bouncing out to the early lead and expanding it from there under Daniel Vergara, who has the call again.

Itsallaboutcharlie, also owned by Weir but trained by Sandi Gann, easily beat Pinal Oct. 24, but then failed to pack a punch when fourth at 3-5 in his Nov. 13 trial for this.

Napili Point, Stockton Pass and Very Sharp finished one-two-three in that division, and loom factors again.