Turf Paradise: Southern Californians invade Lost in the Fog, Arizona Juvenile Fillies

PHOENIX – A couple Southern California raiders have come to Turf Paradise, looking to pillage the track’s two juvenile stakes Saturday. Hazardous, who competed in a Breeders‘ Cup race, leads the $35,000 Lost in the Fog for 2-year-olds, while Hyena, a two-time winner, is the one to beat in the $35,000 Arizona Juvenile Fillies.

Both races are at 6 1/2 furlongs. The Arizona Juvenile Fillies drew 11 2-year-old fillies and goes as race 6; the Lost in the Fog also matches 11 and goes as race 8.

Hazardous, owned by the Vegas Racing Team LLC and trained by Carl O’Callaghan, romped by 13 1/4 lengths for a $22,500 tag at Santa Anita on Oct. 14. That effort was enough to earn the son of Candy Ride a shot at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint there. After chasing the pace, he finished fourth of five in that six-furlong race. Hazardous then tried the King Glorious on Betfair Hollywood Park’s synthetic track but faded to 11th. He returns to dirt here. Jorge Carreno rides.

The local contingent isn’t to be taken lightly, however. Oso Caty has won three of his four starts, all for owner H&E Ranch and trainer David Van Winkle. He comes off a smart victory here Nov. 27. Gadsden Purchase, who was third that day, had generally been considered the top local 2-year-old male up to that point, and he returns in the Lost in the Fog. Owned by Doug Oliver, Wayne Wiseman, and Dave Marshall and trained by Oliver, the gelding has won 3 of 6.

Red Zeus comes off a romping 3 1/2-length win at 16-1 in the Arizona Breeders’ Futurity here Nov. 24 for owner Dick and Penny Hopwood and trainer Dan McFarlane. A bullet work since (five furlongs in 59.20 seconds on Dec. 21) shows he holds his edge.

Hyena off the claim

Hyena enters the Arizona Juvenile Fillies off a $32,000 claim by North American Thoroughbred Horse Company and trainer Sandi Gann. Her first two starts came on synthetic footing in Southern California, and she won them both. She also has handled dirt, finishing second for $32,000 at Santa Anita Oct. 18 for then-trainer Peter Miller. Hyena then ran fourth at Hollywood Park on Nov. 24 for $32,000 and was claimed. She’ll be ridden by Rick Hamel.

Miss Luna, owned and trained by Randy Rarick, didn’t do much in her first four starts, all in California, but came here Dec. 7 and blasted maidens by seven lengths, so she apparently likes her new surroundings.

Flashy Prize is the proven commodity in the Arizona Juvenile Fillies. The H&E Ranch colorbearer, trained by Dan McFarlane, has won 2 of her last 3, all here. Mo’s Teresa won two straight before finishing fifth against males in Oso Caty’s win Nov. 27.