Napili Point tops day of upsets at Turf Paradise

PHOENIX - Napili Point gained a measure of redemption and started a series of longshot winners when he captured Saturday's $50,000 Lost in the Fog Juvenile at Turf Paradise, the main event in a stakes tripleheader.

Owned by Filippo Santoro and trained by Tom Bartol, Napili Point had finished a well-beaten second to Saturday's rival Pinal as the favorite in the Nov. 28 Arizona Breeders Futurity. However, under Dennis Collins, Napili Point got his revenge in this 6 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-olds. He stalked the pace, moved up to contend into the lane, took the lead late and edged away, returning $34.80 to win.

R El Jefe rallied from far back to get second in the field of eight, with Caspers Legacy third. Pinal set the pace and faltered to fourth. Excessive Passion, the even-money favorite, pressed the pace but gave way badly to finish last.

A son of Truckee, Napili Point ran the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.33. The winner's share of $30,000 gives him bankroll of $75,708 from 4 wins in 9 starts.

Kachina: Taste's Sis at $41

Taste's Sis picked a good day to rebound to form as the 4-year-old filly posted a $41 upset in the $50,000 Kachina Handicap. Owned by David Bloom and trained by Molly Pearson, Taste's Sis used her speed in the mile event for fillies and mares to stalk the pace, moved up to contend into the lane, and persevered gamely to be a half-length best in a blanket photo under Adolfo Morales.

Table Mesa pressed the pace and stayed on for second, ahead of late-runner Flicker of Gold in the field of seven. Briecat, the 3-5 favorite, set the pace under pressure but faltered to sixth, while Victorina, the second choice at 9-5, finished a close fourth.

Taste's Sis ran the distance in 1:36.69. The winner's share of $30,000 gives her a bankroll of $132,414 from 3 wins in 19 starts. This was her first start on dirt.

Juvenile Fillies: Tornado Betty best

Tornado Betty proved her six-length allowance romp here Dec. 14 no fluke as she successfully stepped up in class to capture the $50,000 Arizona Juvenile Fillies. Owned by Stable H.M.A. and trained by Ed Kereluk, Tornado Better sat midpack in the field of six 2-year-old fillies after an awkward start, surged into contention on the turn, swept to the lead, opened up into the lane and was never in danger thereafter, winning the 6 1/2-furlong race by 1 3/4 lengths under Jorge Carreno. Haggai, a Southern California invader and 2-5 favorite, stumbled badly at the start but rallied well for second. Izzy Rules, part of the early pace struggle, stayed on for third.

Tornado Betty covered the distance in 1:16.51. She paid $14.80, and the winner's share of $30,000 pushes her career earnings to $51,965 from 3 wins in 7 starts.