Myrna Lou, Prospector's Blues win divisions of Arizona Breeders' Futurity

PHOENIX – Myrna Lou, seventh as the even-money favorite in last month’s ATBA Sales Stakes at Turf Paradise, bounced back Saturday to gamely capture the filly division of the $50,000 Arizona Breeders’ Futurity.

Prospector’s Blues, a maiden, thrived with blinkers on for the first time as he posted an upset in the $48,000 colts and geldings division of the Arizona Breeders’ Futurity.

Owned by Bar Diamond Ranch and trained by Molly Pearson, Myrna Lou ($6.40), a 2-year-old filly by Top Hit, broke sharply under Adolfo Morales in the six-furlong event, got into a duel with Anita Sunset from the outset and the two went toe-to-toe all the way around, with Myrna Lou finally prevailing by a neck. Anita Sunset ran splendidly in defeat, finishing 11 3/4 lengths clear of Tactical Rocket in the field of nine.

Myrna Lou, the 2-1 favorite, ran the distance in 1:11.47 on a track listed as “good.” The winner’s share of $25,165 gives her earnings of $90,008 from 3 wins in 9 starts.

Prospector’s Blues ($23.60), a 2-year-old son gelded son of Benton Creek owned by Michael Feigenbaum and trained by Robert Hazel and outfitted with blinkers for the first time, broke slowly but rushed up to duel with Hawkeye Gold in the six-furlong race. He battled with Hawkeye Gold under Chris Russell, got the better of that foe inside the eighth pole, edged clear, and had enough to keep Jungle Java at bay through the lane to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Jungle Java stalked the pace and ran on for second while Hawkeye Gold finished third. Crazy Al, the 3-5 favorite, raced evenly and never threatened, finishing fifth in the field of 10.

Prospector’s Blues ran the distance in 1:11.09, and the winner’s share of $25,100 gives him earnings of $29,396 from 1 win in 4 starts.

Camille ($5.20) led every step of the way to capture the $26,625 Cactus Flower Stakes for fillies and mares bred in Arizona or who went through an ATBA Fall sales. She was ridden by Jose Rivera Jr. for owner Ramiro Meraz-Martinez and trainer Manuel Ortiz. Aware, the 4-5 favorite, ran second with Toyon Bay third in the field of six.

Rockin Home ($20.20) gamely led all the way to capture the $27,625 Cactus Wren for 3-year-olds and upward at 6 1/2 furlongs. He was ridden by Geovanni Franco for trainer David Van Winkle and owner Tamara Metzen. Silvanus, the longest-priced horse in the race at 38-1, rallied for second, just a neck behind the winner. Mo Rock, who dueled early with the winner, finished third while 5-2 favorite Midnight Officer rallied for fourth in the field of 10