Why Two overcomes obstacles to win Turf Paradise Derby

PHOENIX – Why Two, sent off the heavy 3-10 favorite despite facing winners for the first time, routing for the first time, shipping for the first time, facing stakes foes for the first time, and being stuck with the worst post with a far-outside draw, was good enough to overcome all that and capture Saturday’s $75,000 Turf Paradise Derby.

Owned by Kagele Brothers Inc., Ernest Marchosky, Ken Shaw, and the Lo Hi Stable and trained by Mike Machowsky, Why Two ($2.60) went right to the lead in the 1 1/16-mile event for 3-year-olds under Aaron Gryder, set a modest pace, rebuffed a challenge into the lane, and stayed on gamely for the length win. Ride Hard Kowboy stalked the pace and doggedly chased the winner home. Our Brothers B. A. pressed the winner from the start, got close turning for home, but flattened out a bit to finish third in the field of eight.

Why Two ran the distance in 1:44.39, and the winner’s share of $45,015 gives him earnings of $82,065 from two wins in three starts.

S U M Racer wins Arizona Oaks

S U M Racer ($8) used her late kick to capture the $35,000 Arizona Oaks earlier on the card Saturday. Owned by Brent Stapley, Linden Hatch, and Delwyn Ellis and trained by F.C. Frazier, the daughter of First Defence bided her time early in the mile race for 3-year-old fillies, pitched wide into the lane under Daniel Vergara, and finished with a flourish to grab the lead in the final furlong and drive clear to win by two lengths.

Bullwinkle Babe pressed the pace, had the lead in mid-stretch, and while no match for the winner, gamely held second, a length ahead of a rallying Hip Ninety Three. Freakin Amazing, the 8-5 favorite, dueled early and faded to sixth in the field of eight.

S U M Racer ran the distance in 1:39.67. The winner’s share of $21,049 gives her earnings of $52,624 from three wins in seven starts.