Power Corrupt shows affinity for turf in Walter R. Cluer Memorial

PHOENIX – Power Corrupt ($7) easily won his first start on grass at Turf Paradise Nov. 18 and he validated is affinity for the footing by coming back in just seven days to dominate Saturday’s $30,000 Walter R. Cluer Memorial here.

Owned by Mitch Sutherland and trained by Jim Brown, Power Corrupt, a 4-year-old gelded son of Storm Victory, stalked in third as 2-1 favorite Hobbits Hero set a strong pace in the mile turf race named for the track’s founder. Power Corrupt moved up easily between horses under Sahin Civaci to grab the lead on the far turn, then opened up and romped home, winning by 6 3/4 lengths.

Leadem in Ken, a winner on turf here Oct. 22 and then third in the Luke Kruytbosch, a dirt sprint stakes here Nov. 11, sat second from the start, was no match for the winner, but stayed on gamely to keep second. Avendator, third in this last year, filled that spot again this year as he sat midpack and ran on for third. Hobbits Hero set the brisk pace under some pressure and wilted once headed, ending up last of 12.

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Power Corrupt ran the distance in a very fast 1:34.41. The winner’s share of $17,298 gives him earnings of $141,205 from 9 wins in 25 starts.

Brookys Star a smart winner in Queen of the Green

Brookys Star ($7) had won just one of her previous eight starts on grass, but her connections thought enough of her to try a couple of turf stakes in California this summer. While those waters proved too deep, she showed here she can handle turf as she smartly won Saturday’s $30,000 Queen of the Green at the Phoenix track.

Owned by Jethorse LLC and trained by Sandi Gann, Brookys Star, a 4-year-old filly by Giant’s Causeway, was sent off the favorite in the mile turf race for distaffers. Under Leslie Mawing she showed speed to dog early pace-setter Cleverly Beverly, quickly assumed pace-setting duties as the field headed into the backstretch, opened up some on the far turn, and held sway to the wire, winning by 1 1/4 lengths. Hip Ninety Three, the defending winner coming off a victory here Nov. 3 in her first start in more than six months, sat well back early and came with a wide run to get up for second. Comet Sixty Two stalked the pace, loomed a threat into the lane, and stayed on for third in the field of 10.

Brookys Star ran the distance in 1:36.27. The winner’s share of $17,670 pushes her bankroll to $104,556 from 3 wins in 20 starts.