Restride looking to go 3 for 3

PHOENIX - The unbeaten Restride looks to entrench herself atop the Arizona-bred 2-year-old filly ranks and a host of 2-year-old males attempt to sort themselves out in two divisions of the $35,000 Arizona Breeders' Futurity at Turf Paradise on Saturday. The filly division (race 7) and the colts and gelding division (race 9) both drew full fields of 12. Both races are at six furlongs.

Restride certainly made a splash this fall, when she whipped maiden claimers by nearly five lengths in her debut here Oct. 25, then came right back as the 4-5 favorite to easily beat many of her Saturday foes in an allowance prep for this race Nov. 18. Owned by Sarival Farms and trained by Glen Wasson, Restride will be ridden by Steve Gomez.

A number of fillies could challenge her. Desert Glory, Shesnota Heathen, and Caros Foxy Lady finished one-two-three in another prep for this race Nov. 18, with the three separated by a neck. Desert Glory was first across the line but was disqualified and placed sixth for causing interference down the backstretch. Trained by Larry Wells, Desert Glory was making her first start in nearly five months. Before the break, she had rattled off three straight wins, including a stakes win at Yavapai Downs.

Shesnota Heathen, trained by Cesario Olivas, made most of the running in that Nov. 18 race and was nipped by Desert Glory in the final strides.

Caros Foxy Lady has rattled off two straight fine outings over this track for trainer Derek Couch, finishing third by 2 3/4 lengths in her start before the Nov. 18 race.

In the male division, favoritism may fall to Rebuck, a stablemate of Restride. Also owned by Sarival Farms and trained by Wasson, Rebuck opened up a six-length lead in a prep for this on Nov. 18, only to get nailed in the final stride by Hey Slick. Steve Gomez has the call again.

Hey Slick made his debut in that race, and is certainly eligible to improve for trainer Kory Owens. Glen Corbett rides.

Levelled was third behind Hey Slick and Rebuck as the even-money favorite. Joel Campbell rides.

Corporal Tillman comes off a powerful win over many of these in another Nov. 18 prep. Ry Eikleberry rides.