Saline River, Kennebec square off in Hasta La Vista Handicap to close out meet

PHOENIX, Ariz. – A revitalized Turf Paradise brings down the curtain on its 2025-2026 season Saturday with its traditional closing-day event, the $30,000 Richard Hazelton Hasta La Vista Handicap. The 1 3/8-mile turf event for 3-year-olds and up, drew a field of seven, headed by veterans Saline River and Kennebec. Also on the closing-day menu is the $30,000 Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity for 2-year-olds at 5 furlongs. That drew a cast of 11.

The track nearly flatlined a couple years ago but got the proverbial call from the governor with new ownership this past season. That development ensured at least three years of live race meetings here with this season being the first. Current ownership is reportedly seeking a new site for the track.

Saline River and Kennebec ran fourth and second, respectively in this last year. Saline River, a 6-year-old gelding owned by Charles Garvey and trained by Robertino Diodoro, might be even better now as he comes off a romping win in the Cotton Fitzsimmons here March 21. Kennebec, an 8-year-old horse owned by Kirk Sutherland and trained by Jose Silva Jr., might have an advantage at this longer trip, though he was just well beaten by Saline River when third in the Fitzsimmons.

* Caps and Carnage looms the favorite off a 10 3/4-length win in one of the April 8 qualifiers for the Futurity. That was the debut for the 2-year-old gelding owned by Candice Davis and trained by Dru Hall.

* The calendar has not been set but racing is likely to return in the fall, either in October or November.

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