Senor Friday promoted to victory in Startac Stakes

PHOENIX – Senor Friday was trying grass for the first time in Saturday’s $25,000 Startac at Turf Paradise and while he handled the footing well, it took some misbehavior from one of his rivals and an assist from the stewards to give him the victory.

Senor Friday ($7.40), the 5-2 favorite after a troubled fifth in the Lost in the Fog (a dirt sprint) here on Dec. 29, went right to the lead under Francisco Arrieta in the about 7 1/2-furlong grass event for 3-year-olds. The son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin (who was Grade 1 placed in his only turf start), set a solid pace under pressure from Loud N Proud and Prince Pierce, gamely held a narrow lead to deep stretch when Parking Permit came with a strong run to the outside, then had to check and steady when that rival lugged in late.

The stewards disqualified Parking Permit and placed him third, moving Senor Friday up for the win. Prince Pierce, who pressed the issue all the way, was also interfered with when having to steady between Parking Permit and Senor Friday. He was awarded second after finishing third under the wire. The final time was 1:31.83.

Senor Friday, owned by Charles Garvey and trained by Robertino Diodoro, earned $14,725 for the win Saturday, pushing his earnings to $35,692 from 3 wins in 5 starts.

Free My Soul by a neck in Jeff and Jack Coady Sr. Stakes

Earlier on the card, Free My Soul ($5.80) returned to turf and flourished, gamely capturing the $25,000 Jeff & Jack Coady Sr. Stakes.

Owned by Joe Beuttenmuller, John Gallagher, and Saratoga West and trained by Jeff Metz, Free My Soul was sent off as the 9-5 favorite under Scott Stevens in the about 7 1/2-furlong event for 3-year-old fillies. She broke slowly but was able to establish a stalking position as Let Me Fly and Frances Anna volleyed up front, came with a smart run into the lane, took a clear lead inside the eighth pole and then gamely held off a hard-charging Stormy Music to win by a neck. Stormy Music, last early, rallied strongly to be a clear second ahead of Dress Shopping.

Free My Soul, a daughter of Hard Spun, ran the distance in 1:31.77. The winner’s share of $14,880 boosted her earnings to $31,770. She’s won 2 of 6 starts, with both wins coming the only two times she raced on grass.