Turf Paradise: Lotsa Mischief much the best in Turf Paradise Derby

Lotsa Mischief stamped himself the top 3-year-old male on the Arizona circuit when he easily took the $75,000 Turf Paradise Derby on Saturday.

Owned by Filippo Santoro, William Mathews, and Marvin Fleming, and trained by Dan McFarlane, the 3-year-old Lotsa Mischief, coming off a romping six-length win in an optional claimer on grass here Feb. 7, dueled early with Gross Misconduct in the 1 1/16-mile main-track event. Lotsa Mischief, dispatched Gross Misconduct going to the far turn and opened up through the lane under Skyler Whiteshield to win by 3 1/2 lengths.

Lawly’s Goal rallied from well back to be second while My Rochester, the even-money favorite in the field of eight, stalked the pace, made a mild run at the winner turning for home but couldn’t sustain it, finishing third.

Lotsa Mischief ran the distance in 1:45.50 and paid $6.80 as the second choice. The winner’s share of $45,105 gives him earnings of $88,084.

One More Wild Ride takes Arizona Oaks

One More Wild Ride found Southern California foes too much to handle of late but trainer Robertino Diodoro knew what he was doing when he claimed her for $40,000 at Santa Anita on Feb. 14 and shipped her to Turf Paradise. She validated his judgment and eye with a smart victory in the $35,000 Arizona Oaks.

Owned by Diodoro and Charles Garvey, the 3-year-old One More Wild Ride dogged pacesetter Jet Set Kitten from the start, grabbed the lead from that tiring rival into the lane in the mile dirt race, spurted away to a clear lead ,and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter, cruising home to win by 3 1/4 lengths under Jorge Carreno. Idling ran on to be a clear second while 6-5 favorite Lazy Daisy May, who was last early in the field of five, rallied for third but was no factor.

One More Wild Ride paid $4.80 as the second choice and ran the distance in 1:39.10. The winner’s share of $21,700 gives her earnings of $71,070 from 3 wins in 11 starts.