Minister of Soul upsets Luke Kruytbosch

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Minister of Soul ($23), a 4-year-old gelding stepping into stakes ranks for the first time off a big second-level allowance win here Oct. 21, upset some of the top sprinters on the grounds in Saturday’s $30,000 Luke Kruytbosch at Turf Paradise.

Owned and trained by Esteban Martinez, the son of Ministers Wild Cat, under Glen Corbett, dueled defending champ Kaabraaj from the start. They battled through strong splits, with Minister of Soul finally getting the better of him late and getting to the wire a neck before a hard-charging Leadem in Ken, with Bourbon County just another head back in third.

Leadem in Ken, third in this last year, was last early, steadily advanced, pitched wide into the lane and finished well to just miss in second, while Bourbon County, the 9-5 favorite off a sharp second in the Bienvenidos here opening day Oct. 13, stalked the pace while inside and finished just a head back of ‘Ken. Izzy the Warrior, winner of the Bienvenidos, tired in the lane, finishing fifth in the field of six.

Minister of Soul ran the six furlongs in 1:09.13. The winner’s share of $18,414 gives him earnings of $60,980 from four wins in eight starts. His ascent stamps him a potential early contender for the meet’s marquee event, the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup on Feb. 9, also at six furlongs.

The field was reduced to six after Creative Art, the 9-2 fourth choice on the morning line, scratched to instead go in an optional-claiming sprint here Sunday.