Turf Paradise: Taylors Deal, Lasso From El Paso win stakes

Taylors Deal moved back to dirt and it paid off for the 2-year-old son of Second in Command as he captured Monday’s $35,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes at Turf Paradise.

Owned by North American Horse Company and trained by Sandi Gann, Taylors Deal won his debut on dirt at Hastings Oct. 2, ran second in his second start on dirt at Santa Anita Oct. 30, but then ran fourth in a turf race here Nov. 28.

On Monday, Taylors Deal dueled early with Nobyjo, ran that guy into submission going to the far turn, opened up into the lane and drew off to win by 2 3/4 lengths under Richard Hamel. Let’s Get Crackin was just behind the winner all the way and chased him home to be a clear second as the 3-2 favorite. Born Force stalked the pace and finished third in the field of eight 2-year-olds going 6 1/2 furlongs.

Taylors Deal ran the distance in 1:15.22 and paid $8.80. The winner’s share of $21,000 gives him career earnings of $35,753 from two wins in four starts.

* Lasso From El Paso had no trouble validating her heavy favoritism as the 2-year-old daughter of Smoke Glacken dominated the $35,000 Arizona Juvenile Fillies.

Lasso From El Paso, sent off the 9-10 favorite in the 6 1/2-furlong event for 2-year-old fillies, bounced right out to a clear lead under David Lopez and really didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter, holding a five-length lead at midstretch and reporting home 4 3/4 lengths in front. Racing for Gold chased the winner all the way around in second, while Wine Thief ran third in the field of seven in a race that was basically a parade all the way around.

Owned by Frank and Karen Lewkowitz and Eric Kruljac and trained by J. Jay Kruljac, Lasso From El Paso ran the distance in 1:15.62 and paid $3.80. The winner’s share of $21,000 pushes her earnings to $59,950 from two wins in seven starts.