The 1 3/8 distance is daunting to most horses but eight will give it a try in the $25,000 Wildcat Handicap on Saturday at Turf Paradise.
The Wildcat, which is the traditional prep for closing day’s 1 7/8 Hasta La Vista Handicap, will be run on the turf course. Also on the eight-race card is the $35,000 Arizona Stallion Stakes which attracted a field of 10 Arizona breds for the 7 ½ furlong grass test.
The Wildcat
Only one the eight entrants has attempted the distance and that is Sir Searsucker who is a perfect two-for-two. Trained by Dan McFarlane, who won this race last year with Az Ridge, will be ridden by David Lopez for the first time. The 6-year-old by Shakespeare by the Irish bred Theatrical, is bred to run all day.
Leading trainer Robertino Diodoro has entered three: Congrats Seattle, Carouse and Blue Bomber.
Congrats Seattle is two-for-two over the greensward in his last two allowance victories at 1 1/16 miles. Carouse has won three of four turf starts, two at 7 ½ furlongs and one at 1 1/16 miles. And Blue Bomber has finished in the money in five of 10 grass efforts but has yet to notch a win locally.
Pacific Nights has won five of nine turf efforts locally for trainer Lisa Gangidino. His most recent grass score was at 7 ½ furlongs, February 28.
The Joe Toye turf specialist Thunder has won three races this meet with two of those wins coming over the turf.
Arizona Stallion Stakes
McFarlane his won this race twice in the last three runnings. This year he’ll send forth Sondrio who initial turf effort looked promising until jockey Chas Clark fell off while on the lead after being bumped.
Hey Ez Money broke his maiden at first asking at Emerald Down, then followed with a subpar effort as the favorite in allowance company. Although he has not raced since August of last year, his pedigree, Ez Dreamer by In Excess (IRE), suggests he should take to the turf.
Lieutenant Margie, one of three fillies entered, is another with a fashionable turf pedigree whose grandsire is Storm Cat.
Heber is the only entrant with a turf win which occurred February 20 against $20,000 claiming company.
The Wildcat, which is the traditional prep for closing day’s 1 7/8 Hasta La Vista Handicap, will be run on the turf course. Also on the eight-race card is the $35,000 Arizona Stallion Stakes which attracted a field of 10 Arizona breds for the 7 ½ furlong grass test.
The Wildcat
Only one the eight entrants has attempted the distance and that is Sir Searsucker who is a perfect two-for-two. Trained by Dan McFarlane, who won this race last year with Az Ridge, will be ridden by David Lopez for the first time. The 6-year-old by Shakespeare by the Irish bred Theatrical, is bred to run all day.
Leading trainer Robertino Diodoro has entered three: Congrats Seattle, Carouse and Blue Bomber.
Congrats Seattle is two-for-two over the greensward in his last two allowance victories at 1 1/16 miles. Carouse has won three of four turf starts, two at 7 ½ furlongs and one at 1 1/16 miles. And Blue Bomber has finished in the money in five of 10 grass efforts but has yet to notch a win locally.
Pacific Nights has won five of nine turf efforts locally for trainer Lisa Gangidino. His most recent grass score was at 7 ½ furlongs, February 28.
The Joe Toye turf specialist Thunder has won three races this meet with two of those wins coming over the turf.
Arizona Stallion Stakes
McFarlane his won this race twice in the last three runnings. This year he’ll send forth Sondrio who initial turf effort looked promising until jockey Chas Clark fell off while on the lead after being bumped.
Hey Ez Money broke his maiden at first asking at Emerald Down, then followed with a subpar effort as the favorite in allowance company. Although he has not raced since August of last year, his pedigree, Ez Dreamer by In Excess (IRE), suggests he should take to the turf.
Lieutenant Margie, one of three fillies entered, is another with a fashionable turf pedigree whose grandsire is Storm Cat.
Heber is the only entrant with a turf win which occurred February 20 against $20,000 claiming company.
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