Surface suits Ready Intaglio in Lost in the Fog

PHOENIX – Ready Intaglio just missed in a turf race at Turf Paradise on Dec. 9, but that good effort and a return to dirt – maybe his best footing – make him dangerous in Saturday’s $35,000 Lost in the Fog at Turf Paradise. The 6 1/2-furlong event for 2-year-olds drew a field of 10. Also on the card is the $35,000 Arizona Juvenile Filly for 2-year-old fillies. That 6 1/2-furlong race drew a field of seven, headed by the red-hot Zenita, the debut winner Protective Shield, and the top Arizona-bred filly Heidi’s in Charge.

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Ready Intaglio, owned and trained by Eurico Martens, beat maidens by 11 3/4 lengths on dirt at Northlands Park on Sept. 12. He ran second in the Canadian Juvenile there Oct. 24, beaten 7 3/4 lengths, while finishing eight lengths clear of the others. He came here for a turf allowance Dec. 9 and, after lagging well back early, finished strongly for second, beaten a nose.

Senator Robert comes into the Lost in the Fog off two easy wins on Golden Gate’s synthetic track. He failed to threaten in his three dirt starts, but those were also the first three starts of his career. He’s improved considerably since then.

Arizona Moon makes his first start on dirt Saturday. He added blinkers and rallied to be third behind Ready Intaglio in that Dec. 9 turf race here.

Arizona Juvenile Filly

Zenita faded in her first two starts this summer at Prairie Meadows and Canterbury Park but then came here and blasted males by 10 3/4 lengths in a maiden race Nov. 18. She was claimed for $8,000 that day and then whipped allowance fillies by 5 1/4 lengths here Dec. 12.

Protective Shield steps up into the stakes ranks after a terrific debut win here Dec. 8. She dueled for the early lead before drawing off to win by three lengths while geared down. Heidi’s in Charge has rattled off three straight wins over this track, including the Arizona Breeders’ Futurity over Arizona-bred fillies Dec. 5.

KEY CONTENDERS

LOST IN THE FOG (Race 8)

Ready Intaglio (Last 3 Beyers: 70-61-62)

◗ Has shown versatility, as his maiden win came in wire-to-wire fashion and he closed from far back in his last start.

Senator Robert (Last 3 Beyers: 63-68-62)

◗ Finished 10th, sixth, and fifth in his three dirt starts, so he’ll need to improve.

◗ Has shown more speed of late and figures to be forwardly placed.

Arizona Moon (Last 3 Beyers: 69-65-55)

◗ Being by Macho Uno, he is bred for the dirt.

◗ Does his best running in the lane.

ARIZONA JUVENILE FILLY (Race 4)

Zenita (Last 3 Beyers: 64-66-0)

◗ She has blossomed since coming here. By Grade 1-winning sprinter Zensational and with Grade 1-winning sprinter Forest Wildcat as her damsire, she is bred to excel at this sprint game.

Protective Shield (Beyer: 74)

◗ Earned easily the top Beyer Speed Figure in the field in her big debut win.

◗ The daughter of champion 2-year-old and 3-year-old male Lookin At Lucky was risked for a tag in her debut but not in this spot.

Heidi’s in Charge (Last 3 Beyers: 56-53-55)

◗ Comes here sharp off two stakes wins but has a top Beyer of 56, so she needs to improve.