Pair of longshots prevail in Arizona Breeders stakes

Longshots lit up the board in the two divisions of the Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders Association Falls Sales Stakes at Turf Paradise on Sunday, first with Flying Fiona ($65.20) taking the filly division and then with Best Asset ($101.40) capturing the colt-and-gelding division.

In the $62,201 filly division, Flying Fiona, a first-time starter owned by Lyle and Kim Oliver and trained by Kim Oliver, bided her time early in the six-furlong event for Arizona-bred 2-year-old fillies consigned to last year’s fall sale, swung wide turning for home and finished with a flourish under Dennis Collins to get up and win by two lengths at 31-1. Worthy Grapes stalked the pace, took the lead into the lane but couldn’t fend off the winner while gamely holding second, as Libby rallied well for third. Myrna Lou, the even-money favorite, pressed the pace but weakened to seventh in the field of 11.

Flying Fiona ran the distance in 1:12.33 and earned $26,778.

*In the $53,388 male division, Best Asset came in from Canterbury Park after being a well-beaten third in a maiden sprint there Aug. 30. Owned by Peggy Hopwood and trained by Dan McFarlane, Best Asset was last early in the field off 11 going six furlongs, remained well back going to the far turn, swung very wide into the lane, and blasted home under Ronald Richard to win by 2 1/4 lengths.

Highway Boss, the overwhelming 1-2 favorite who shipped in from Southern California off four straight stakes engagements, likewise rallied from well back to finish second. Naomi’s Gift, another Southern California raider and the 9-2 second choice, finished third.

Best Asset ran the distance in 1:10.92 and winner’s share of $28,272 gives him earnings of $32,709 from 1 win in 5 starts.