Izzy the Warrior tops stakes double for Diodoro

PHOENIX – Izzy the Warrior won the Bienvenidos, a sprint, at Turf Paradise, on opening weekend Oct. 13. The 5-year-old son of Warrior’s Reward showed Wednesday he could play the longer game as well, as he led all the way to capture Wednesday’s $25,000 Cave Creek over a mile at the Phoenix track.

Izzy the Warrior ($5.20), owned by Randy Marriott and trained by Robertino Diodoro, followed up his Bienvenidos win with a so-so fifth in another sprint stakes here, the Luke Kruytbosch on Nov. 10. Freshened since and moved to this longer mile trip, he went to a clear lead out of the gate under Francisco Arrieta. The 8-5 favorite, Izzy the Warrior took some pressure going into the backstretch from Don’t Hold Me Back while setting a solid pace, moved back out to a clear lead going down the backstretch, and kept his rivals at bay the remainder of the way, winning by 1 3/4 lengths. Freedom Hill, the 2-1 second choice, rallied for second, while Don’t Hold Me Back stayed on for third in the field of eight.

He ran the mile in 1:35.34. The winner’s share of $15,035 pushes his earnings to $177,883 from 7 wins in 20 starts.

One race later, Gato Guapo ($4) dominated the $20,000 Last Chance Derby for owner Charles Garvey and trainer Diodoro. Also ridden by Arrieta, the son of Factum dueled from the start with Regal Max in the mile event for 3-year-olds, dispatched that foe on the far turn, and then blasted away from his rivals, winning by 11 lengths. Shimshine rallied for second with Regal Max finishing third in the field of eight. He ran the distance in 1:35.24 and earned $13,111.