Nightly News takes show to turf in Tempe Handicap
PHOENIX – Nightly News left no doubt that he’s the top 3-year-old on dirt at Turf Paradise with his easy win Feb. 20 in the Turf Paradise Derby. On Saturday, he looks to extend his domain as he tries grass for the first time in the $25,000 Tempe Handicap. The one-mile turf event matches 11 3-year-olds.
Also on Saturday, 3-year-old fillies go a mile on turf in the $25,000 Scottsdale Handicap, with a field of seven led by Joan of Arch.
Nightly News, a gelded son of Misremembered, showed talent in Southern California last summer and fall in three starts, including a fourth to Mor Spirit, who is now a Grade 1 winner. Nightly News came here and blasted maidens by 10 1/2 lengths on dirt Jan. 20, then easily won the Turf Paradise Derby by 2 1/4 lengths as the 4-5 favorite. He’s owned by Hal Earnhardt and trained by Dan McFarlane.
Nightly News will be challenged by Titanium Point, a 13 1/4-length debut winner here Feb. 10 who also is trained by McFarlane; Arizona Moon, a winner on turf here and second in a turf stakes here; Ready Intaglio, a rallying second here in his only grass start Dec. 9; and Gunfire, trying turf for the first time after running second in the Turf Paradise Derby.
Joan of Arch good on grass
Joan of Arch has won her two grass starts here this season, including the Valid Leader on Jan. 25. She moved to dirt for the Arizona Oaks on Feb. 20 and was second to Protective Shield, the unbeaten leader of the local 3-year-old filly set.
The top challengers to Joan of Arch in the Scottsdale are Hymn’s Girl, a maiden winner on turf here Feb. 3 before starting poorly and running on for fourth in the Arizona Oaks, and Compel, a European who ran sixth at Santa Anita on Jan. 15 in her lone U.S. start.
KEY CONTENDERS
TEMPE HANDICAP (race 5)
Nightly News, by Misremembered
Last 3 Beyers: 73-61-58
◗ Has shown versatility, as his maiden win came wire to wire, whereas he stalked the pace before going on to victory in the Turf Paradise Derby.
◗ Might enjoy grass. While his sire never ran on turf, his grandsire is the top-class turf star Candy Ride.
Titanium Point, by Concord Point
Beyer: 73
◗ Being by a son of Tapit, he might enjoy the move to turf.
◗ Boasts three sharp works since his maiden win, including a bullet 59-second move here Feb. 29.
Ready Intaglio, by Indygo Shiner
Last 3 Beyers: 63-65-70
◗ Beaten just a nose in his lone turf try.
◗ He won an optional claimer on dirt here Jan. 25.
SCOTTSDALE HANDICAP (race 1)
Joan of Arch, by Archarcharch
Last 3 Beyers: 68-73-70
◗ Beat males when she won on turf here Dec. 9, including Tempe contenders Ready Intaglio and Arizona Moon.
◗ She came from well off the pace to win that race but pressed the pace before going on to win here Jan. 25.
Hymn’s Girl, by Artie Schiller
Last 3 Beyers: 60-61-44
◗ Dueled for the lead and drew off when easily winning on this course Feb. 3.
◗ Didn’t run badly on dirt in the Arizona Oaks, but she is by Grade 1 grass winner Artie Schiller and might prefer turf.