Turf Paradise: Red Zeus, Of Royalty engineer stakes sweep for McFarlane

Red Zeus handled some tough elders in the Walter R. Cluer at Turf Paradise on Oct. 26 so it was no surprise to see the 3-year-old prove a prompt favorite when facing his peers in Saturday’s $35,000 Jack Coady Sr. Stakes.

Owned by Peggy Hopwood and trained by Dan McFarlane, Red Zeus stalked the pace in the mile grass race as the 3-5 favorite, moved closer into the lane, and finished well under Kelly Bridges to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Hume chased pacesetter Indy Racer from the start, was getting the better of that rival in midstretch but couldn’t finish with the winner while a clear second. Pentagram rallied for third in the field of eight.

Red Zeus paid $3.20 and ran the distance in 1:36.35. The winner’s share of $21,049 gives him earnings of $164,524 from 6 wins in 18 starts.

*Of Royalty made it three dominating wins in as many starts on the Turf Paradise grass course as the 3-year-old daughter of Unusual Heat easily captured the $35,000 Chandler Stakes. Owned by Hal and Patti Earnhardt and trained by McFarlane (giving him a sweep of the day’s two stakes), Of Royalty had blasted maidens by 6 3/4 lengths on this course April 26 and came into this off a romping 5 1/4-length victory on Oct. 19. Under Cesar Ordaz, Of Royalty stalked the pace in the mile turf race, took over into the lane, and drew off to win by 3 1/4 lengths. Kissmedanish, the 9-5 favorite, was right next to the winner much of the way but couldn’t match strides with that foe, finishing second, while Acarpian rallied for third in the field of nine 3-year-old fillies.

Of Royalty paid $6.20 and ran the distance in 1:36.60. The winner’s share of $20,832 gives her earnings of $59,372 from 4 wins in 13 starts.