Turf Paradise track report

Trainer Eric Kruljac and jockey Scott Stevens swept last Saturday's stakes, winning the $40,000 Cactus Flower Handicap with Fun'ngames Toknite ($9.20) and the $23,900 Gene and Wanda June Johnson Stakes with Grimm ($6.20).

"That's a Saturday at the races worth repeating," said Kruljac, who is tied for second with 51 victories in the trainers standings with Dan McFarlane.

"She won easy. I didn't even let her run full out," said Stevens of Fun'ngames Toknite. "And Grimm is awesome. I just wish he would have started his campaign earlier to give Muir Beach a run for horse of the year title." Stevens leaves to ride at Canterbury Park May 1.

Though undecided on Fun'ngames Toknite's next start, Kruljac said Grimm's next race would be the $40,000 Grand Canyon Handicap on Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders' Day, April 30.

* The Arizona Racing Commission renewed the Yavapai County Fair Association's racing permit for Yavapai Downs in Prescott Valley, following a lengthy review of the group's financial solvency and viability.

The Arizona Department of Racing had cited serious financial issues last winter in an initial review of the track's solvency.

"Virtually no aspect of their business went untouched by us," Linda Bergevin, special investigations manager for the Arizona Department of Racing, told the commission. "We are convinced. We have successfully resolved all the outstanding issues."

Yavapai opens its meet Saturday, May 28, six days after the current Turf Paradise stand comes to a close.