In Joe's Honor gets second shot

PHOENIX - In Joe's Honor did everything right in the 2006 edition of the Wildcat Handicap at Turf Paradise. Trouble was, Southern California invader Tedo proved a bit too much for In Joe's Honor and won the 1 3/8-mile turf event. With no Tedo or any other imposing Southern California raider in the field of 11, In Joe's Honor looks in a good spot Saturday in the $45,000 Wildcat.

In Joe's Honor, owned and trained by Mike Chambers, looks to be about as sharp coming into this year's edition as he was a year ago. After his good second in the Wildcat last year he came back to be fourth in the 1 7/8-mile Hasta La Vista Handicap closing day here last May.

In Joe's Honor, 6, didn't race again until Feb. 12, when he stormed home to win an optional claimer here by 3 1/4 lengths. He came back in the Bob Weems Memorial here May 20 at 1 1/8 miles on the turf and rallied gamely to be second behind the tough veteran Aza. Miguel Hernandez rides In Joe's Honor, who is the 120-pound highweight.

Ozzy's Shame finished third, two lengths behind In Joe's Honor in the Bob Weems. Trained by Sarina Obergfell, Ozzy's Shame posted two sharp main-track wins here in December, was second in the Chuck N Luck on the main track Jan. 30 and then second in an optional claimer on the turf here March 9 prior to his Weems outing. Despite a number of good outings on turf, he remains winless in 15 grass tries. Scott Stevens rides.

Domingo Juan rates a horse-for-course chance in the Wildcat. A 9-year-old, Domingo Juan has mostly been facing claimers the past year or so and dives into the deeper end of the pool here. He rallied nicely to beat $16,000 claimers on this course on March 26 and that makes him 2 for 2 on this course. Jocelyne Kenny rides.