Turf Paradise: Flexiplus closes meet with Hasta La Vista victory

PHOENIX – Flexiplus gamely prevailed in the $35,000 Hasta La Vista Handicap at Turf Paradise Tuesday, closing day of the Phoenix track’s 2012-2013 meet.

Owned by Martin Yeroshack and trained by Rob Atras, Flexiplus came off a sharp rallying second in the traditional prep for this, the Wildcat Handicap April 6, losing by a neck. Under Adolfo Morales, who rode him in the Wildcat, Flexiplus bided his time in this 1 7/8-mile grass race, sitting third early while Distant Rainbow opened up a 15-length lead after a half-mile. Not surprisingly, Distant Rainbow faltered and Flexiplus took command going into the backstretch a second time, edged clear into the lane, and held off the closers to win by three-quarters of a length.

Porfido, the even-money favorite, finished second, a half-length ahead of Layover in Seattle in third in the field of 12, which was strewn out far behind the top four finishers.

A 5-year-old son of Harlan’s Holiday, Flexiplus ran the distance in 3:14.91 and paid $10. The winner’s purse of $20,181 pushes his career earnings to $73,629 from four wins in 19 starts.

Lazy Daisy May upsets Sales Stakes

Lazy Daisy May, a fast-closing second on her only start, posted a 12-1 upset in the $70,214 ATBA Spring Sales Stakes.

Owned by Stable H.M.A. and trained by Molly Pearson, Lazy Daisy May rallied smartly to finish second in a trial for this stakes here April 19, a head behind Bear Facts. Under Giovanni Franco, she again bided her time on Tuesday and finished strongly to win the five-furlong event for 2-year-olds consigned to the 2012 fall sale by a nose over Winning Vision.

Winning Vision pressed the pace, surged to the lead and was clear into the lane, but who could not quite outfinish Lazy Daisy May. Top qualifier and 9-10 favorite Whiz Hit stalked the pace and finished third in the field of 11, 1 1/4 lengths behind Winning Vision. Pearson, who saddled six of the 11 entrants, sent out the top three finishers.

Lazy Daisy May, a daughter of Rocky Bar, ran the distance in 58.01 and paid $27. The winner’s share of $42,064 gives her earnings of $43,423 from one win in two starts.

Racing returns to the Phoenix track in the fall.