Prospector's Blues turns tables in Gene Fleming Breeders' Derby

PHOENIX – Prospector’s Blues couldn’t handle Jungle Java on turf but returning to dirt got the 3-year-old gelding back to form and he gained his revenge on that rival Saturday, capturing the $48,676 Gene Fleming Breeders’ Derby at Turf Paradise. The derby was the main event of Arizona-bred Day, which featured five stakes for the home-grown product.

Owned by Michael Feigenbaum and trained by Robert Hazel, Prospector’s Blues ($5.80) stalked in the 1 1/16-mile dirt event for 3-year-olds as Hawkeye Gold set the early pace. Prospector’s Blues moved up to contend with longshot Chelokee’s Gem on the far turn, looked in trouble when that foe was still in front of him at the eighth pole, but stayed on gamely to grab the lead and edge ahead late to win by a half-length under Geovanni Franco. Prater Sixty Four rallied for second while Jungle Java, the 3-5 favorite, lagged well back and ran on well for third in the field of eight.

Prospector’s Blues ran the distance in 1:45.98 as the 9-5 second choice. The winner’s share of $25,606 gives him earnings of $68,981 from 3 wins in 8 starts.

In other stakes action:

Red Zeus ($2.20) prevailed as the overwhelming 1-9 favorite the $35,000 Dwight D. Patterson at 1 1/16 miles on turf for 3-year-olds and up but it sure wasn’t easy. Owned by Peggy Hopwood, trained by Dan McFarlan and ridden by Kelly Bridges, the 5-year-old Red Zeus dogged pacesetter G Faikir from the start, looked in trouble when that foe spurted clear by 2 1/2 lengths in midstretch, but rallied gamely to nail G Faikir by a nose on the wire. Silvanus was just a neck away in third in the field of six.

Red Zeus ran the distance in 1:43.87.

Worthy Grapes ($5) made it three straight wins as the daughter of Distorted Humor captured the $35,000 Joanne Dye for 3-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Owned by Peter Mizioch and Eric Kruljac and trained by Kruljac, Worthy Grapes, the 3-2 favorite, stalked the pace under Daniel Vergara, moved up to challenge into the lane, took command, and drew off to win easy by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:17.36. Myrna Lou dueled for the lead and ran second with Anita Sunset running on for third, another 5 1/4 lengths back in the field of seven.

Tribal Gal ($3.60) dropped in class off a fourth in the Grade 3 Las Flores at Santa Anita on March 8 and dominated the $35,000 Ann Owens Distaff Handicap for fillies and mares at six furlongs. Owned by John Pendergast and trained by Kory Owens, Tribal Gal ran second as the 2-1 favorite in this race last year behind Tempe. She turned the tables on Tempe as the 4-5 favorite this year as she dueled early under Vergara with Tilted Lady, easily moved clear of the field going to the far turn, and extended her advantage from there, romping home by eight lengths in 1:08.17. Unwritten Rule was second with Camille third in the field of seven. Defending champ Tempe finished sixth.

Jamaican Memories ($23.80), a stakes winner here but who hadn’t done much the past few starts, picked the right time to bounce back to form as he captured the $35,000 Lyman and Bradley Rollins Handicap at six furlongs for 3-year-olds and upward.

Owned by Carol and James Bolin and trained by David Van Winkle, the 7-year-old Jamaican Memories bided his time early under Jorge Carreno, sitting seventh in the field of eight, was still well back turning for home, but blasted through the final furlong to grab the lead and win going away by 2 1/4 lengths. Rocked Twice rallied for second while Rocking Home set the pace before finishing third. J P Rocker, the 4-5 favorite, stalked the pace, made a threatening move into the lane but faded, finishing fifth.

Jamaican Memories covered six furlongs in 1:08.58.