Spooky Channel ends meet with Hasta La Vista victory

PHOENIX – Spooky Channel had a huge meet at Turf Paradise, winning six of his eight starts. He capped it off with game tally in the $30,000 Hasta La Vista Handicap at 1 7/8 miles on turf here on Sunday, the traditional closing-day event.

Spooky Channel ($3.20) had never run this far, but after winning the 1 3/8-mile Wildcat Handicap here March 30 for owner Terry Hamilton and trainer Chad Brinson, the 4-year-old gelded son of English Channel got his shot. Under Francisco Arrieta he stalked in third as Rebellious Diana ran off to a clear early lead. Defending Hasta La Vista winner and 8-5 second choice Stratton moved to the lead on the far turn. Spooky Channel moved up to engage him into the lane and prevailed by a neck. Stratton was second while Arizona Moon ran third in the field of 10, far ahead of the rest.

Spooky Channel ran the distance in 3:10.61. The winner’s share of $17,670 pushes his earnings to $86,746.

* Bootytama dominated the $50,000 Turf Paradise Spring Futurity for juveniles going five furlongs. Owned by Jeremy Ramsland and trained by Molly Pearson, the 2-year-old daughter of Animal Kingdom was the fastest qualifier for this, having easily won her debut here April 13.

Under Scott Stevens, Bootytama went right to the lead and opened up into the lane to win by eight lengths. By the Way ran on for second, while Last Punch chased the winner from the start and held third in the field of eight.

Bootytama ran the distance in 57.04 seconds and paid $4.80. The winner’s share of $30,000 gives her earnings of $36,014 from two wins in as many starts.

* Arrieta ended up as the leading rider at the meet with 194 wins, the second-highest total since Pat Steinberg posted 229 wins in 1988. Robertino Diodoro won his sixth straight training title with 68 wins.

* The Arizona racing scene shifts north to Arizona Downs - the former Yavapai Downs - for its inaugural season May 24 through Sept. 2. Live racing returns to Turf Paradise in October.