Turf Paradise: Got an Itch changes tactics, surface to take City of Phoenix

Got an Itch showed her versatility of style and footing as she captured the $35,000 City of Phoenix at Turf Paradise on Saturday.

Owned by Just for Fun Farms LLC and trained by Molly Pearson, Got an Itch, a 4-year-old daughter of Rocky Bar, collected her second straight win and third victory in her last four starts. She was coming off a wire-to-wire win on turf here Nov. 18.

In this six-furlong dirt race for fillies and mares, however, Got an Itch showed a bit more patience under Adolfo Morales, allowing invading speedster Big Sweets to open up a big lead. Got an Itch bided her time in second, had no trouble going past a tiring Big Sweets into the lane, opened up, and held on for a length victory. Catch Lorraine rallied from well back for second, while Tornado Betty stalked and finished third in the field if nine.

Hard Seven, the even-money favorite, was a couple lengths behind the winner early in third but lost position from there and never threatened while very wide, finishing fifth.

Got an Itch ran the distance in 1:09.93 and paid $16.20. The winner’s share of $21,000 gives her career earnings of $194,424 from 7 wins in 21 starts.