Minister of Soul gains third consecutive win at Turf Paradise
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Minister of Soul ($18) affirmed his affection for Turf Paradise by winning Saturday’s $30,000 Hank Mills Sr., his third win in as many starts at the track.
Owned and trained by Esteban Martinez, the 5-year-old gelded son of Ministers Wild Cat stalked in third under Glenn Corbett in the 5 1/2-furlong race, came with a run along the rail into the lane, engaged then-leader and 7-5 favorite Hardcore Troubador by midstretch before powering clear to win by 3 3 /4 lengths.
Hardcore Troubador, favored off a win in the KLAQ Handicap at Sunland Park, set a strong pace, couldn’t stay with the winner in the final furlong, but kept on well to hold second, while 8-5 second choice Never Give In stalked and ran on for third in the field of seven.
Minister of Soul ran the distance in 1:02.83. The winner’s share of $18,228 gives him earnings of $81,703 from five wins in 10 starts. Off this he figures to come back for the meet’s marquee event, the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup on Feb. 9. A few who chased him here could show up there as well.
* Fight to Glory ($3.20), the top sprinting female on the circuit, affirmed that status with a win in the $25,000 Sun Devil earlier on the Saturday card.
Owned by Charles Garvey and trained by Robertino Diodoro, the 5-year-old daughter of American Lion, who returned here after fading to be seventh in a stakes at Sunland Park in New Mexico on Jan. 6, showed the speed under David Lopez to dog early pacesetter Ari Gia in the 5 1/2-furlong event for females. She seemed content to remain in second as Ari Gia moved out to a clear lead while setting solid splits, still had work to do into the lane as Ari Gia opened up a 2 1/2-length lead, but rallied to overtake her and win by three-quarters of a length.
Ari Gia stayed on to be a clear second ahead of Bold At Night, who ran on for third in the field of seven. BCZ Middleton, the 7-2 second choice, stalked but was one-paced, ending up fourth.
Fight to Glory ran the distance in 1:04.54. The winner’s share of $15,190 pushes her earnings to $175,834 from nine wins in 20 starts.
