Ride Hard Kowboy much the best as Coady Stakes favorite

PHOENIX - Ride Hard Kowboy had no trouble validating his status as the 4-5 favorite as he dominated Saturday’s $35,000 Jeff and Jack Coady Sr. Stakes at Turf Paradise.

Owned by Turner Shiew and Robert Morgan, and trained by Molly Pearson, Ride Hard Kowboy ($3.80) sat midpack early in the mile turf event for 3-year-olds, came with a smart run turning for home under Scott Stevens, grabbed the lead, and drew off to win easily by 4 3/4 lengths. Shrewd Move dueled early with Purple Haven, ran that foe into submission, was no match for the winner in the lane but stayed on well for second. Carouse was last early, came with a threatening run on the far turn but couldn’t sustain it, finishing third in the field of eight.

Ride Hard Kowboy ran the distance in 1:35.30 and the winner’s share of $21,049 gives him earnings of $105,934 from 4 wins in 14 starts.

My Blue Sky captures Chandler Stakes

My Blue Sky ($7.80) returned from Minnesota and Kentucky to capture the $35,000 Chandler Stakes.

Owned by Craig Minten and trained by Dan McFarlane, My Blue Sky, a 3-year-old daughter of Sky Mesa, stalked the pace in the mile turf event for 3-year-old fillies, moved up to challenge into the lane, grabbed the lead by midstretch, and drew off to win by 2 1/2 lengths under Geovanni Franco. Springsprangsprung rallied from well back to be second while Cup of Soup ran third. Showcase Winner, the 6-5 favorite, set the pace but weakened to sixth in the field of seven.

My Blue Sky ran the distance in 1:36.49 and the winner’s share of $21,266 pushes her career bankroll to $60,521 from 3 wins in 10 starts.