Pleasant Gulch in return to dirt

A return to dirt and to sprinting could be key for Pleasant Gulch, who carries high weight of 123 pounds in Sunday's $15,000 Yavapai Classic Handicap. The six-furlong event for fillies and mares has lured a field of 10 and goes as the eighth race on a nine-race card.

Pleasant Gulch, owned by Ron Cameron, finished fifth in the Desert Sky Handicap at Turf Paradise May 7 in her last race. That race was a mile on the turf, a surface on which she's winless in two tries. Her trainer, Justin Evans, is off to a dynamite start this meet, having won with 3 of his first 7 starts. Berkley Packer rides Pleasant Gulch.

Her main competition may come from Foolofit, who in her last start finished fourth in the To the Post at Turf Paradise on May 20. That was a turf sprint, and Foolofit, like Pleasant Gulch, may be better on dirt. She carries 122 pounds and Lorenzo Lopez will ride for trainer Troy Smith.

Strictly Legit and Dysfunctional Lady both carry 121 pounds. Strictly Legit returns to Arizona after failing to threaten in the slop at Albuquerque April 16. Trained by Amalio Trejo, she worked well Tuesday. Jorge Carreno has the call.

Dysfunctional Lady returns from northern California where she was third in a $16,000 claimer at Bay Meadows on May 5. She's done her best work in Arizona and boasts tons of speed. Miguel Hernandez rides.