Three ATBA Fall Sales Stakes top card

PHOENIX – A trio of ATBA Fall Sales Stakes highlight the Saturday card at Turf Paradise. The $35,000 ATBA Fall Sales Futurity for Arizona-bred juvenile males matches eight going six furlongs (race 4). The $35,000 ATBA Fall Sales Futurity filly division drew 12 2-year-old Arizona-bred fillies going six furlongs (race 6), and the $35,000 ATBA Fall Sales Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs (race 7) lured 10 fillies and mares who were yearlings consigned to the 2016 or 2017 ATBA fall sale.

◗ Maius, owned by Eli Diamant and trained by O.A. Martinez Jr., brings a perfect 3-for-3 record from Arapahoe Park into the ATBA Fall Sales Futurity male division. The juvenile gelded son of Rocky Bar’s last two wins were both in stakes. His main opposition may come from Arizona Jeremy, a maiden winner here Oct. 12, and Go Admiral Go, a maiden winner at Prairie Meadows last time out Sept. 2.

◗ Arizona Sun, owned by Randy Howg and trained by Robertino Diodoro, headlines the field in the ATBA Fall Sales Futurity filly division. The 2-year-old daughter of Ministers Wild Cat won a stakes Aug. 2 at Assinibioia Downs, ran third in a stakes Sept. 1 at Arizona Downs, and then romped over some of these in a trial for this here Oct. 12. Smart N Wicked, owned and trained by Jose Silva, easily won her first two starts, the first on Sept. 20 at Albuquerque (over males) and then a trial for this here Oct. 12. Other threats include Midnight Emma, second to Arizona Sun in their Oct. 12 trial, and Who’s the Diva Now, easy winner of her debut in a stakes Sept. 1 at Arizona Downs and then fifth as the 9-10 favorite in the trial here won by Arizona Sun.

◗ Senoradiablo, owned by Tim Bankers and trained by Manuel Ortiz, may be the one to beat in the Fall Sales Stakes. The 3-year-old daughter of Flat Out won last year’s ATBA Fall Sales Futurity filly division. She comes off a rallying third in the Princess of Palms here Oct. 19. Her main opposition may come from Foggia, a stakes winner over this track and eighth in the Princess of Palms after stumbling badly at the start; Star Sundae, stakes placed here and coming off two romping wins over lesser; and Let Me Fly, second to Senoradiablo in the ATBA Fall Sales Futurity filly division last year and making her first start since winning on turf here April 20.