Keyson upsets Arizona Breeders' Futurity

PHOENIX – Keyson appreciated a change of venue and shorter trip as the 2-year-old gelded son of Salute the Sarge posted an upset in Saturday’s $40,700 colt and gelding division of the Arizona Breeders’ Futurity at Turf Paradise, one of four stakes for Thoroughbreds on the program.

Owned by the Triple AAA Ranch and trained by Scott Rollins, Keyson ($25) dueled and faded to fifth routing against some promising optional claimers at Santa Anita on Oct. 26. Shortening up and moving in against statebreds, the gelding went right out to the lead in the six-furlong event under Denny Velazquez, took some early pressure from Call Waiting and then from 8-5 favorite Loud N Proud, but dispatched with those rivals turning for home and cruised to an easy 2 1/2-length win. Call Waiting chased the winner from the start and stayed on for second, while Loud N Proud, favored off two wins to start his career, also chased the winner from the bell before ending up third in the field of nine.

Keyson ran the distance in 1:10.86. The winner’s share of $20,486 gives Keyson earnings of $38,137 from 2 wins in 6 starts.

In other Saturday action:

► Rents Over Due ($9.20) used her speed to capture the $40,000 fillies division of the Arizona Breeders’ Futurity. Owned by the Sawyer Cattle Company and trained by Dan McFarlane, the juvenile daughter of Allover went right out to the lead in the six-furlong event, was immediately confronted by Beauty Black, dueled with that foe to the top of the lane, rebuffed that rival under Francisco Arrieta, opened up a clear lead by midstretch and held sway to win by two lengths. Let Me Fly, the 1-2 favorite, stalked in fourth and rallied for second, but was never really a danger to the winner while finishing well clear of Shady Lane, who stalked and ran third in the field of seven.

Rents Over Due ran the distance in 1:12. The winner’s share of $20,286 pushes her earnings to $39,591 from 2 wins in 5 starts.

► Sierrita ($10) appreciated the return to dirt as the 5-year-old daughter of Top Hit bounced back from a dull seventh on turf here Nov. 4, rallying to capture the $25,000 Cactus Flower. Owned by Seven Arms Stable and trained by David Van Winkle, Sierrita broke well to be in the hunt early under Chad Lindsay in the 6 1/2-furlong event for distaffers. The winner was content to pull back a bit off a brisk pace set by Dreamy Gal, came with a nice wide run to reach contention on the far turn, took command by midstretch, and drew off to win fairly easily by 2 1/4 lengths. McKenzie Honey pressed the pace inside and stayed on for second, while early pacesetter Dreamy Gal finished third. Foggia, the even-money favorite, pressed the early issue but gave way readily in the lane to end up last of six.

Sierrita ran the distance in 1:17.17. The winner’s share of $15,345 gives her earnings of $156,022 from 10 wins in 31 starts.

► Fortified Effort ($6.80) appreciated a freshening, a drop, and a return to his favorite track as the 3-year-old gelding captured the $25,000 Cactus Wren. The son of Ez Effort, owned by Lloyd Yother, William Matthews, Marvin Fleming, and trainer Kevin Eikleberry, was making his first start in four months. Under Ry Eikleberry he was slow into stride in the 6 1/2-furlong event, was still last turning for home, pitched wide and finished strongly to get up for the three-quarter-length win. Jilas Miracle rallied for second while Yo Y Me, the 2-1 favorite, stumbled at the start, rushed up to duel for the lead, took the lead into the lane but couldn’t sustain his run, ending up third in the field of eight.

Fortified Effort ran the distance in 1:17.20. The winner’s share of $15,035 gives him earnings of $227,143 from 8 wins in 16 starts. He’s now 5 for 7 at Turf Paradise.