Ride Hard Kowboy good fit for Tempe

PHOENIX – The best 3-year-olds at Turf Paradise, male and female, get a crack at the grass Saturday in the $35,000 Tempe Handicap and $35,000 Scottsdale Handicap. The Tempe, open to all 3-year-olds, is at a mile and drew 10 males. The Scottsdale, also at a mile but restricted to 3-year-old fillies, drew a field of 11.

Ride Hard Kowboy looms the one to beat in the Tempe. A son of Kodiak Kowboy, Ride Hard Kowboy has two wins, both on turf here and at about this distance, including the Chuck N Luck on Feb. 4. He was second to Southern California invader Why Two in the Turf Paradise Derby on dirt here Feb. 21.

His main rivals might be Highway Boss, who competed in a couple of turf stakes in Southern California last year before coming here, and Shrewd Move, an impressive recent allowance winner here who tries turf and routing for the first time.

S U M Racer’s big win in the Arizona Oaks on dirt here Feb. 21 likely established her as the top 3-year-old filly on the grounds. Trained by F.C. Frazier, she tries turf for the first time in the Scottsdale.

TEMPE (RACE 7)

KEY CONTENDERS

Ride Hard Kowboy (Last 3 Beyers: 81-71-63)

◗ He has come into his own, and his Beyer Speed Figures continue to trend upward.

◗ He has the tactical speed to get a good stalking trip despite his outside No. 10 post.

◗ Showed that he holds his edge with a bullet five-furlong work in 59.60 seconds here March 7.

Highway Boss (Last 3 Beyers: 63-65-69)

◗ He ran a respectable sixth against much tougher in the Oak Tree Juvenile Turf at Del Mar last summer.

◗ He also posted a five-furlong bullet work in 59.60 here March 7.

Shrewd Move (Last 3 Beyers: 62-34-37)

◗ He was regarded highly enough last year after an 18-length maiden win at Prairie Meadows to ship to Belmont for the Tremont, although he ran last of four.

◗ He came back from a long layoff to blast rivals by 6 1/4 lengths in a dirt sprint here Feb. 2.

SCOTTSDALE (RACE 4)

KEY CONTENDERS

S U M Racer (Last 3 Beyers: 62-40-66)

◗ She has shown a good late kick on dirt regardless of distance, finishing strongly to beat maidens sprinting here Dec. 8 and to win the Arizona Oaks here Feb. 21.

◗ She has a pedigree that indicates she should be able to handle grass.

◗ She got a feel for the turf here March 8, working four furlongs in 51.40.

Hip Ninety Three (Last 3 Beyers: 57-70-57)

◗ She rallied for third behind S U M Racer in the Arizona Oaks after a sluggish start.

◗ She may enjoy moving back to turf, as she rallied to easily win on this course at about this trip Nov. 22.

Council Bet (Last 3 Beyers: 62-65-37)

◗ She’s proven on grass, having finished second here Feb. 2 and then blasting maidens by 5 1/4 lengths on this course Feb. 21, both at about this distance.

◗ She has shown versatility, which should give rider Jake Barton options.