Senor Friday triumphs in Turf Paradise Derby

PHOENIX, Ariz. – When Senor Friday got the top prize in the Startac on grass at Turf Paradise on Jan. 26 it took an assist from the stewards. Parking Permit, the original winner, crowded him and Prince Pierce, so Senor Friday was awarded the win.

He needed no such help Saturday in the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby as the 3-year-old gelded son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin proved clearly best.

Owned by Charles Garvey and trained by Robertino Diodoro, Senor Friday ($4.80) bided his time early under Francisco Arrieta as the 7-5 favorite in the 1 1/16-mile main-track event for 3-year-olds as Keyson took the early lead. He moved closer as Dr John H and Midnight Reverie took over pacesetting duties, loomed a danger turning for home, went after the leaders into the lane, took the lead by midstretch and drew off to win by 2 1/4 lengths.

Parking Permit ran well again as he was well back early and finished well for second, while Prince Pierce, who finished a close-up third in the Startac before being awarded second after Parking Permit’s disqualification to third, stalked and ran on for third. Dr John H, previously unbeaten in two starts here, both sprints, battled for the lead to midstretch before tiring to fifth in the field of eight.

Senor Friday ran the distance in 1:44.44. The winner’s share of $30,070 gives him earnings of $65,762 from four wins in six starts.

* Free My Soul ($3.80) showed she’s the top 3-year-old filly at Turf Paradise regardless of surface as the daughter of Hard Spun won the $30,000 Arizona Oaks. Owned by Joe Beuttenmuller, John Gallagher, and Saratoga West and trained by Jeff Metz, the filly came into this mile main-track event off a win in the Jeff and Jack Coady Sr. on grass here Jan. 26.

From her rail slot here she stalked early in fourth under Scott Stevens as the 9-10 favorite and as Frances Anna set a decent pace, was soon just behind Frances Anna going down the backstretch, moved up to engage ‘Anna turning for home, got the better of her by midstretch and drew clear to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Dress Shopping, third in the Coady and the 2-1 second choice, stalked in third and ran on wide for second while Frances Anna, fifth in the Coady, tired to third. Let Me Fly, a multiple winner on dirt, showed early speed but gave way, ending up last in the field of six.

Free My Soul ran the distance in 1:38.19. The winner’s share of $18,414 gives her earnings of $50,184 from three wins in seven starts.