On My Dime gets up in Fitzsimmons
PHOENIX - On My Dime rallied strongly through the lane to capture Saturday's $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile Handicap at Turf Paradise, though the race was marred by a spill on the far turn.
On My Dime, owned by Honor Roll Racing and trained by Dennis Sowers, bided his time as Icemancometh ran off to set a sizzling pace in the one-mile turf race. He began his move outside on the turn and rallied doggedly to get up by a neck under Ry Eikleberry. Highland Games, second in this last year, rallied well into the lane, looked like the winner when he took the lead in midstretch but got nailed by On My Dime in the final yards. Yacht Spotter ran third in the field of 11. Feisty Suances, the 6-5 favorite who invaded from Southern California, ran fourth.
The spill happened when defending champ Bingham, ridden by Glenn Corbett, broke down going into the far turn at the back of the pack and went down. Stormy Seattle was alongside, made contact with his rival, and while able to stay on his feet lost rider Dennis Collins. Both riders and Stormy Seattle came away unhurt. Bingham fractured his left fore and had to be euthanized.
On My Dime paid $34.80, and the winner's share of $45,000 pushes his earnings to $174,355 from eight wins in 31 starts. He ran the mile on the turf in 1:34.24.
Glendale: Dextera does it again
Dextera, who shipped here from Suthern California to win the Chandler Handicap Nov. 14, showed her continued affection for this turf course as she captured Saturday's $50,000 Glendale Handicap. Owned by Deron Pearson and trained by Jim Cassidy, the 4-year-old filly sat well back early, bided her time, and finished strongly to get up to win by a neck. Table Mesa stalked the pace, moved up to battle for the lead on the far turn, and stayed on for second. Rare Sunset dueled for the lead early and ran third in the field of nine distaffers. Dextera ran the 1 1/16 miles on the turf in a sizzling 1:40.96.
Dextera, ridden by David Flores, paid $4 as the favorite. The winner's share of $30,000 pushes her bankroll to $158,110 from four wins in 17 starts.