Weir entry pretty tough to get past in Sun Devil

PHOENIX - Reatta Pass comes into Saturday's $30,000 Sun Devil Stakes at Turf Paradise trying to repair a tarnished reputation after successive short-odds losses in the Arizona Breeders Futurity and a subsequent allowance race. And with her bubble somewhat burst, she will face no fewer than nine 3-year-old fillies - two of whom come from the same owner as Reatta Pass, Dennis Weir, and same trainer, Kevin Lewis.

That entry certainly looms the heavy favorite, but more of the appeal may be coming from Kendrick Peak, not Reatta Pass. Either way, the entry looks formidable.

Reatta Pass blasted on the scene last September, graduating easily before destroying a field of Arizona-bred fillies in a Nov. 9 allowance race. Those two romping wins sent her off as the prohibitive 1-2 favorite in the Arizona Breeders Futurity. She sat midpack early, behind sizzling splits, and while she was able to rally for second was no match for upstart Calce Clunes, also a challenger Saturday.

Backers gave Reatta Pass another chance in a nonwinners-other-than sprint Dec. 18. Mired on the disadvantageous rail, she broke slowly, rushed up into contention, but couldn't keep pace late with another of Saturday's foes, Whitegoldndiamonds.

Kendrick Peak has been seen only once, but it was a memorable outing. She debuted Nov. 9 against winners in an allowance race and won by eight-plus lengths, geared down, posting a Beyer Speed Figure of 73. The best figure that stablemate Reatta Pass has recorded is a 63. Among Kendrick Peak's victims on Nov. 9 was Calce Clunes. That win hinted at all kinds of talent, but she hasn't been seen since. She has worked well in the interim and is fresh. Needless to say Lewis has a heckuva one-two punch here. Carl Kutz rides.

The third part of the entry, Aspen Hill, graduated in November but was no factor in the Ms. Gibson County behind some of Saturday's foes.

Whitegoldndiamonds is a big threat for trainer Michael Lenzini. She showed plenty of promise at Canterbury last summer, then off a lengthy layoff made her Phoenix debut, showed speed and faltered. After that, however, came a good second in the Ms. Gibson County, followed by a strong win in the Dec. 18 allowance race over Reatta Pass. She appears to peaking and is certainly a danger. The far outside post (No. 10), however, is no help.

Others worth a look here include Personify, a maiden but a horse who hinted at talent in Southern California; Calce Clunes, winner of the Arizona Breeders Futurity who has worked strongly for her return; Trophy Edition Too, a powerhouse at Boise last summer who comes off good works, gets Glen Corbett and adds Lasix; and Lady Continental, a good second going a mile vs. nonwinners-of-two-lifetime foes here Dec. 31.