Ohio romps in Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile
PHOENIX – A significant class drop was telling in Saturday’s $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile Handicap at Turf Paradise as Ohio, coming out of consecutive Grade 2's, had no trouble dominating as the 4-5 favorite to give trainer Michael McCarthy and rider Ruben Fuentes a sweep of the two stakes on this program.
Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Bruce Treitman, Ohio ($3.60) was midpack early as 59-1 longshot Thegloryisallmine set a modest pace in the mile turf contest. The winner moved up easily to be just behind the pacesetter on the far turn, had little trouble wresting command from that foe turning for home, then opened up to win easily by 6 1/2 lengths.
Thegloryisallmine, stepping well up in class after two romping wins on this course last fall, was no match for the winner in the lane but kept on gamely to hold second. Gato Guapo, moving to turf after easily taking the Last Chance Derby by 11 lengths on dirt here Dec. 26, chased the pacesetter from the start and gamely kept after that foe to finish third in the field of 10. Blackjackcat, the 5-2 second choice who, like the winner, invaded from Southern California and has had more than his share of graded stakes success, was disappointing as he stalked the pace but came up empty in the lane, finishing sixth. Kitten’s Royal clipped heels coming out of the chute onto the main turf course, unseating his rider.
Ohio, an 8-year-old Brazilian-bred gelding by Elusive Quality, ran the mile in 1:35.87. The winner’s share of $44,175 gives him earnings of $228,065 from 8 wins in 24 starts.
Impasse scores in Glendale Handicap
Earlier on the card, Impasse ($9.20) another California invader from the McCarthy barn, powered home to capture Saturday’s $30,000 Glendale Handicap by 1 1/4 lengths.
The 5-year-old daughter of Quality Road, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and TNIP Racing, lagged well back from the start in the 1 1/16-mile grass event for distaffers, bided her time there under Fuentes while saving ground, pitched out turning for home and powered home to grab the lead late and draw clear.
Medaglia Gold, the 9-5 favorite as she came into this off four straight wins – the last two on this course including the Nov. 24 Queen of the Green – went right out to set the pace. She had challengers on the far turn, kicked away again for a clear lead by midstretch, but couldn’t fend off the winner, finishing well clear of the others. Gorgeous Ginny stalked the pace and stayed on for third in the field of 10.
Impasse ran the distance in 1:43.58 on firm turf. The winner’s share of $17,670 pushes her earnings to $222,949 from 4 wins in 23 starts. This was her first win on turf in just her second start on the footing.
