Wide-open field in the Wildcat goes marathon distance on turf
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PHOENIX – A brutally difficult Wildcat Stakes at Turf Paradise matches a dozen runners at 1 3/8 miles on the turf. Most of the runners, 3-year-olds and upward, have been knocking heads and taking turns, and the form of Southern California invader Luvluv only adds to the confusion.
Luvluv, owned and trained by Adam Kitchingman, may be the horse to beat, having knocked heads with some tough runners in Southern California. He was a good third in a turf stakes for California-breds at Santa Anita Jan. 7, then ran sixth with trouble in a tough allowance race there Feb. 5. The winner of that race, Exaulted, came back to win the Grade 2 American there last week.
The local contingent is strong. No Slo Mo could be poised for an upset for trainer Vann Belvoir. The 6-year-old gelding closed well for sixth in the Cotton Fitzsimmons here March 11. While he finished behind a number of Saturday’s rivals, the added ground may help. Leading rider Harry Hernandez stays aboard No Slo Mo.
Zestful, Bigfoot City, and Sonny Smack completed the trifecta in a blanket finish in the Fitzsimmons and all figure in it again here, though it’s a new, longer trip for the trio. Zestful rallied to win the Fitzsimmons and moves back to turf after running second in the Sunland Park Handicap on dirt April 2. Bigfoot City is stuck on the far outside, but has the speed to flee the post and remains razor sharp. Sonny Smack finished with gusto for third in the Fitzsimmons and figures to be coming again.
Tartini rallied for fourth in the Fitzsimmons, and, unlike the others in this field, has won at this trip. Myopic was third to Bigfoot City in a tough allowance race here March 25.
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