Red Zeus takes on new challenge in Hasta La Vista
PHOENIX – Red Zeus, who has been among the best turf runners here over the past couple of years, tries a marathon in the $25,000 Hasta La Vista Handicap on Sunday. The 1 7/8-mile turf race is the traditional closing-day feature of the Turf Paradise meet. Ten 3-year-olds and up go in the Hasta La Vista, the final race on a nine-race card.
Also on the card is the $35,000 ATBA Spring Sales Stakes, race 8. That five-furlong event for 2-year-olds who were consigned to the ATBA fall sale in 2015 drew a field of 11, led by the filly McKenzie Honey, the fastest qualifier.
Red Zeus, owned by Peggy Thompson and trained by Dan McFarlane, ran fifth in the Turf Paradise Handicap on Feb. 13. He didn’t race for more than two months and came back to beat Arizona-breds in the Dwight Patterson at 1 1/16 miles on turf here April 23. Red Zeus has never raced farther than 1 1/8 miles, but he has shown the tractability to indicate that he can get the distance Sunday.
Blue Bomber, owned by Jim McFadyen and trained by Robertino Diodoro, comes off a front-running win in the 1 3/8-mile Wildcat Handicap on April 2, the traditional prep for this race.
Pacific Nights, trained by Lisa Gangidino, is a two-time winner at this meet. After running sixth as the 8-5 favorite in the Wildcat Handicap on April 2, he rallied for second in an allowance race at a mile here April 17.
Racing returns to Turf Paradise in October.
HASTA LA VISTA (Race 9)
KEY CONTENDERS
Red Zeus, by Red Sky’s
Last 3 Beyers: 90-89-76
◗ Defeated one of his main rivals, Pacific Nights, here Nov. 15, though that was at a mile.
◗ Has the speed to keep speedster Blue Bomber in his sights.
Blue Bomber, by Congrats
Last 3 Beyers: 85-85-89
◗ Led by as much as 20 lengths before going on to victory by two lengths in the Wildcat Handicap. The Wildcat was his first victory in 11 starts on this turf course.
Pacific Nights, by More Than Ready
Last 3 Beyers: 74-74-89
◗ Ran fourth in this race last year.
◗ Has posted all five of his turf wins on this course.