Turf Paradise: Cotton Fitzsimmons gives Mr. Bossy Pants chance to go long

Mr. Bossy Pants has made his name as a tough competitor sprinting on turf in Southern California. Trainer Robertino Diodoro gives the venerable 8-year-old a chance to stretch out in Saturday’s $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile Handicap at Turf Paradise. The mile grass fixture drew a tough field of 12.

Also on the card is the $35,000 Glendale Handicap. The mile grass race for fillies and mares drew a field of 11, headed by the circuit’s top distaffer E Z Kitty.

Mr. Bossy Pants, owned by Diodoro, Bob Butz, and TG Racing LLC, is proven at this mile trip, though the bulk of his work has come sprinting. His 2-1-1-0 record at a mile shows he handles this distance. The last time he ran a mile came Aug. 21, when he finished second but was awarded the win via disqualification at Del Mar versus $32,000 claimers. After that, he was a game third, beaten a neck, for $40,000 on Santa Anita’s 6 1/2-furlong hillside turf course. He was then second, beaten a nose for $35,000 on that course Oct. 31.

Mr. Bossy Pants makes his first start since that race. He carries 117 pounds and Jorge Carreno rides.

Another Southern California raider, Fire With Fire, looks dangerous for trainer Neil Drysdale. A 6-year-old gelding, he is tabbed at 121 pounds after running fifth in the Grade 2 San Gabriel at Santa Anita on Jan. 4, won by Grade 1 winner Jeranimo.

The best local hope comes from the Dan McFarlane barn. Az Ridge, a 5-year-old son of Toccet, has won five of his last six, three of them stakes. He’s won stakes routing and sprinting on dirt. The problem for him is that he’s 0 for 5 on turf with three third-place finishes, so this may not be his best game.

McFarlane also entered Red Zeus, a 4-year-old gelding who is 3 for 5 on turf, including two stakes wins at this trip here earlier this meet. He’s tabbed at 120 pounds.

The 122-pound highweight is For Cash, trained by Dale Greenwood. He’s never run on turf but is a multiple stakes winner on dirt at Northlands Park last year and comes off a win in the Zia Park Derby on Nov. 27.

Glendale: E Z Kitty big chalk

E Z Kitty looms the heavy favorite in the Glendale. Assigned high weight of 125 pounds, she gives from six to 10 pounds to her 10 rivals.

A 6-year-old mare, E Z Kitty has been splendid, winning 14 of 26 starts. She was an easy winner over allowance foes (including some she faces here) on this course at this trip Nov. 19, and an easy winner of the Kachina on dirt here last time out Jan. 1. Trainer Jeff Metz and owners Highlander Racing Stable even thought enough of her to try the Grade 2 Goldikova at Santa Anita Nov. 3, though after opening up a long early lead she gave way badly to finish last of nine. She won the Sun City on this course at this trip last Feb. 16. Scott Stevens rides.

If anyone topples her, it could be Southern California raider Ricspretentiousgal. She ran sixth at Santa Anita on Jan. 1 for $40,000 and was claimed by Diodoro. Her last win came Nov. 10 at Hollywood Park on turf at this distance.

Of Royalty, whose four wins have all come on turf, including a romping victory in the Chandler Handicap here Nov. 16, returns to turf after finishing ninth and last behind E Z Kitty in the Kachina Handicap on dirt here Jan. 1.