Wiredfortwotwenty runs away with Phoenix Gold Cup

Heavy rains and a sealed/sloppy track at Turf Paradise didn't matter in the least to New Mexico raider Wiredfortwotwenty, who posted the mild upset in Saturday's $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup.

Owned by Class Racing Stable and trained by Bart Hone, Wiredfortwotwenty was making his first start at Turf Paradise and first on a wet track. Despite much other speed signed up, Wiredfortwotwenty proved quickest from the start under Scott Stevens in the six-furlong fixture, the marquee event on the Turf Paradise calendar. He dueled early with six-furlong world-record holder Twin Sparks, put that rival away going to the far turn, rebuffed a challenge from Point Attended and drew off to win easily by 5 1/4 lengths.

Pinkarella, the only mare in the race and the 2-1 favorite, finished smartly for second in her first start since last May, while Point Attended, previously unbeaten in five starts here, ran third in the field of 11. Defending champ Ez Dreamer was scratched, as was Lightning Tanner.

Wiredfortwotwenty ran the distance in 1:09.06 and paid $13.40. He earned $45,000 for his third straight win and fifth in 12 tries, pushing his bankroll to $189,764.

Undercard stakes rained off turf

The rain forced Saturday's other two stakes, the $26,875 Sun City and $27,250 Turf Paradise Handicap, off the turf. Table Mesa, owned by Dennis Weir and trained by Sandi Gann, had handled wet going before and relished it here as she dominated the mile event for older females. As the 1.90-1 second choice she stalked the pace under Stevens, took over on the far turn, and drew off to win with complete authority by 10 lengths.

Markmelauras, who won this last year when it stayed on turf, chased the winner through the lane and while no match was a clear second. Snuggs and Kisses ran third in the field reduced to six by three scratches. Table Mesa paid $5.80, ran the distance in 1:37.11, and earned $16,125, pushing her career record to 6 wins in 29 starts for $161,244.

Likewise, All Saint relished the going, as he had no trouble controlling and winning the Turf Paradise Handicap. Owned by Pascual Gamez and trained by Wilton Whitehouse, the 5-year-old went right to the lead in the 1 1/16-mile event, led by as much as six lengths on the far turn, and cruised home, winning by 1 1/2 lengths under Michael Iammarino. Elusive Pleasure ran on well from last to get second just in front of Summertime Sal, who was third as eight ran after two scratches.

All Saint, the 9-5 favorite, paid $5.60. He ran the distance in 1:44.86, and the winner's share of $16,350 pushes his record to six wins from 23 starts for $232,176. This was his third straight stakes win of the meet, making him the early favorite for Horse of the Meet honors.