Repeat of last would put Paddy's Secret in the City of Phoenix winner's circle

PHOENIX – A dazzling win by Paddy’s Secret in the Princess of Palms on Oct. 20 at Turf Paradise – at 22-1, no less – sends her into Friday’s $30,000 City of Phoenix as the one to beat. But she must deal with some familiar foes in the six-furlong event for fillies and mares, plus a wave of Southern California raiders.

Paddy’s Secret, a 4-year-old owned by Mike Bolduc and trained by Frank Lucarelli, won the Sun City, a turf route, here in February. But then came a fourth on turf in an allowance race here and a pair of fifths at Golden Gate, in an optional claimer on the main track April 28 and in the Golden Poppy on turf May 12.

Given five months off, she returned in the Princess of Palms at six furlongs on the main track. Paddy’s Secret stalked the pace and blasted home to win by 2 3/4 lengths. A repeat of that effort would make her tough, even for the Southern California raiders. Leslie Mawing rides.

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The invaders in the field of eight include Time and Chance, a 5-year-old who makes her first start for leading trainer Robertino Diodoro. She comes off a second and third in claiming races at Del Mar during summer.

Sturdy One, a 6-year-old making her first start for trainer Juan Silva, makes her return after nearly seven months off. In her last two starts, she won $25,000 claimers at Santa Anita.

Dreamy Gal, a 4-year-old daughter of Ez Dreamer, has been working at Turf Paradise for new trainer Molly Pearson. This marks her first start since she won a California-bred optional claimer on turf May 10 at Santa Anita.

Among the locals is B C Z Middleton, a 5-year-old daughter of Nobiz Like Shobiz who makes her first start for trainer Manuel Ortiz. Previously trained by Jeff Metz, she ran second to Paddy’s Secret in the Princess of Palms. She was second in this race last year to Fight to Glory.

Fight to Glory, trained by Diodoro, also runs in the City of Phoenix. She was the top sprinting female during the 2017-18 meet here, winning three times.

KEY CONTENDERS

Paddy’s Secret, by Paddy O’Prado

Last 3 Beyers: 90-76-68

◗ Could improve, as her Princess of Palms win here Oct. 20 was her first start in more than five months.

◗ Won the last time she teamed with rider Mawing.

Time and Chance, by Awesome of Course

Last 3 Beyers: 68-74-61

◗ Diodoro has won with 31 of his first 62 starters at the meet, and rider Francisco Arrieta and Diodoro are a stellar 32 for their last 90 (36 percent) together.

◗ She has the speed to be in the hunt from the start.

Sturdy One, by Langfuhr

Last 3 Beyers: 82-79-77

◗ She won off a layoff at Santa Anita last winter.