Primo Touch an easy winner in Tempe Handicap

PHOENIX – On paper Primo Touch dominated Saturday’s $30,000 Tempe Handicap at Turf Paradise and that’s the way it worked out on the turf course as the 3-year-old gelded son of Midas Touch fortified his cause for Horse of the Meet honors with another handy win.

Owned by Dino Bates and trained by Dan McFarlane, Primo Touch ($2.40) was sent off the overwhelming 1-5 favorite in the one-mile turf event for 3-year-olds. Under Andrew Ramgeet, he bobbled a bit at the start but quickly recovered to duel for the early lead with Playoff Bound, soon opened up a clear lead going into the backstretch and maintained basically the same advantage throughout, winning by two lengths. This gives him 5 wins in his last 6 starts, all at this meet, including three stakes. Oh Brother Jack stalked in third, tried to make a run at the winner turning for home but couldn’t get on terms, finishing second ahead of Playoff Bound who tired a bit in the lane to end up third in the field of seven.

Primo Touch ran the distance in 1:36.72. The winner’s share of $18,228 gives him earnings of $96,105 from five wins in 12 starts.

Fim Actress holds on in Scottsdale

Film Actress ($20.40) romped by nine lengths the last time she ran on turf. Well, the daughter of Eskendereya validated her love of the surface on Saturday, notching her first stakes win on the grass in the $30,000 Scottsdale Handicap.

Owned by Bruce Stubblefield and trained by Margie Cantrell, the filly showed enough speed from her rail slot to stalk in third under Francisco Monroy in the one-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies. Film Actress came off the rail some turning for home, made a smart move to challenge for the lead by midstretch, took over late and held to win by a half-length from a hard-charging City Spirit. City Spirit lagged back early and finished strongly for second, far ahead of Acharnement in third. Foggia, the even-money favorite coming off a second in the Arizona Oaks but trying turf for the first time, shot out to a big early lead before tiring in the lane to finish fourth in the field of seven.

Film Actress ran the distance in 1:37.04. The winner’s share of $18,228 gives her earnings of $29,972 from 2 wins in 6 starts.