In delivering a repeat performance in winning the $30,000 Wildcat Handicap, Blue Bomber also set a new course record for the marathon race. Meanwhile, 20-1 longshot Ida Goodest upset the $30,000 Arizona Stallion Stakes Saturday at Turf Paradise.
 
Under the patient hands of Natasha Coddington, Blue Bomber ($11.80) shot to the lead as is his custom but did not open a 20-length lead as he did in winning this race last year. Instead, Coddington permitted Aventador to race alongside Blue Bomber for the last half mile of the race. Then, in deep stretch, Coddington asked the 6-year-old for one more gear, and Blue Bomber drew away for his repeat victory by a length and a new course record of 2:14.09 for the 1 3/8 miles over firm turf. The old record was 2:16.80, set 19 years ago by Doctor Trotter in 1998.
 
Aventador held second, four lengths clear of Sir Searsucker who finished third in the field of eight older horses.
 
Blue Bomber, owned by Jim McFadyen and conditioned by leading trainer Robertino Diodoro, was winning for the sixth time 28 starts and now has earnings of $132,752.
 
Az Stallion Stakes
Upset minded Ida Goodest ($43.60) lodged his bid at the head of the lane and drew away to win by 2 ½ lengths over the favored Chelokee’s Legacy with the filly Top Hat Wildcat another half-length back in third in the field of nine 3-year-olds Arizona breds.
 
Ridden by David Lopez, Ida Goodest covered the 7 ½ furlongs over the turf in 1:3056 for owner Lloyd Yother and owner/trainer Kevin Eikleberry for his first lifetime win in five career efforts.
The victory was worth $18,735 to Ida Goodest.

The marathon $30,000 Wildcat Handicap and the $30,000 Arizona Stallion Stakes will be the two featured races Saturday at Turf Paradise.
 
The Wildcat, at 1 3/8 miles on the turf and which is considered the traditional prep for closing day’s (May 7) traditional 1 7/8 miles Hasta La Vista Handicap, attracted a field of nine long distance grass specialists.
 
The Az Stallion Stakes, for 3-year-olds at 7 ½ furlongs on the grass, will also put forth a field of nine.
 
The Wildcat
Last year’s winner and runner up in this race – Blue Bomber and Sir Searsucker – are in the field, which gives horseplayers a starting pointing in handicapping the ultra-distance of the Wildcat.
 
Blue Bomber led every step of the way in winning this race last year. His catch-me-if-you-can running style will have Natasha Coddington aboard again for the repeat try.
 
Sir Searsucker tracked Blue Bomber every step of the way last year and will probably employ similar tactics this time around. The 7-year-old, who has won half of his 10 lifetime victories over the local lawn, is coming off a 1 1/8 allowance turf win March 5.
 
The ultra-consistent Dreamcatcher, coming off a three race win skein, is entered. The 8-year-old, who has won 13 of 50 career starts, four of those wins coming over the local turf course, has never raced this far before. However, being by Tapit, Dreamcatcher should be able to handle the marathon and his mid-race tracking style may set him up nicely for the closing stages of the marathon.
 
Az Stallion Stakes
Two of the nine entered are fillies and four of the nine are still maidens.  Only four have raced the turf before and none of those successfully. So, this is anybody’s race.
 
The most accomplished of the group is the filly Top Hat Wildcat, given her two runner-up finishes in two futurity stakes. Being by Margie’s Wildcat, (Storm Cat) she should have no trouble taking to the turf.

The ‘bad boys’ of racing, camels ostriches, and zebras return to Turf Paradise for a day of racing like no other. Alternative racing returns to Turf Paradise, Saturday March 25th featuring camel racing, ostrich racing and zebra racing.
 
And we also have a full card of live horse racing. While you can’t bet on the camel, ostrich and zebra racing, you can still bet on the horses. Camel racing is popular in the Middle East, Australia and Africa. Ostrich racing, while more difficult than camel racing, is still run in Africa as is Zebra racing.
 
And while camels, ostriches, and zebras can race, they don’t always cooperate with the riders. Here are some highlights from last year.
 
 In addition to one of a kind racing the day also features:

• Live Music
• $3 bottled Beer
• A Kids Fun Park with Bounce Inflatables
• A full card of traditional racing with horses and, of course, you can bet on them!

 
Grandstand admission is $3 and kids 16 and under getting in for free.

The event is sponsored by the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. 

Turf Paradise General Manager Vincent Francia said, “While camels, ostriches, and zebras can be competitive, they’re not always cooperative. Let’s hope the horses don’t pick up any bad habits.”

In addition to offering live local racing through May 7th, the season also includes a Kentucky Derby Party May 6th
 
Turf Paradise is Arizona’s first sports franchise, and has operated continuously at the same location at 19th Ave and Bell since 1956.  It offers one of the longest racing seasons in the United States thanks to Arizona’s great weather. Through Off Track Betting networks its races are viewed at OTB locations all over the United States and worldwide.

McKenzie Honey and He’s Munnie used different tactics but results were the same in their respective victories in the $30,000 Scottsdale Handicap and $30,000 Tempe Handicap Saturday at Turf Paradise.
 
Scottsdale Handicap
Under a perfectly rated ride by Martin Bourdieu, McKenzie Honey ($6.40) led from start to finish to best 9-5 favorite Not That I Recall – who tracked the winner every step of the way - by 2 ¼ lengths with Sorceress Warning third in the field of ten 3-year-old fillies.    
 
Owned by Barbara Eakin, Steve Smith and Jonathan Nance and trained by Nance, McKenzie Honey covered the one mile over firm turf in 1:37.72 for her fifth win in nine career outings for earnings of $110,396.
 
Tempe Handicap
He’s Munnie ($10.00) and Jake Barton squeaked out a nail-biting head victory over favored Howdy Kingkowboy with Most Determined third in the field of ten three-year-old colts and geldings.
 
Trained by Dan McFarlane for Yeaman’s Racing Stable LLC, He’s Munnie, making his first turf start, covered the one mile in 1:36.42 for his second win in 12 starts for earnings of $56.547.
McFarlane, who also trains Most Determined, was winning this race for second time. His first victory came with Cavour in 2014.

Aspiring three-year-olds will take to the turf in the $30,000 Scottsdale Handicap and $30,000 Tempe Handicap Saturday at Turf Paradise Race Course.
 
Both stakes, the Scottsdale for fillies and the Tempe for colts and geldings, attracted fields of 11 horses each, and will be run at one mile on the grass course.
 
In addition to the double stakes, Saturday will feature Wiener Dog races throughout the day, including a Wiener Dog parade and fashion show. The family oriented promotion will offer free bounce inflatables for the kids.
 
Scottsdale Handicap
The most accomplished miss among the 11 entered is the Jonathan Nance-trained McKenzie Honey. The daughter of Parading has won half of her eight efforts, including three stakes. Her most recent win of February 18 came in the Arizona Oaks.
 
The Robertino Diodoro-trained Memories Galore should improve after her rough trip in the Arizona Oaks, where she finished fourth. Diodoro has won this race three times, his most recent win last year with Malibu Kash.
 
And then there’s Galactic Princess. Winner of Arapahoe Park’s Oaks and third in that track’s Gold Rush Futurity against the boys, the daughter of Ready’s Image garnered immediate attention locally when winning the Arizona Juvenile Fillies. However, she turned in a dull effort to finished fifth as the favorite in the Arizona Oaks.
 
Tempe Handicap
The Molly Pearson-trained Howdy Kingkowboy, winner of the Turf Paradise Derby in his last start, is sure to be given the slight favorite’s role. The son of Kodiak Kowboy has won two starts and has not finished out the money in six career efforts.
 
Of curious interest is Fairgrounds’ shipper Honor River, trained by Steve Henson. The son of To Honor and Serve started his career at Belmont Park then ventured to Woodbine in Canada for three starts, where he broke his maiden and then to the Fairgrounds in New Orleans for two starts and where he was claimed by Henson for $30,000 out of a turf race. Honor River will be making his first starts as a 3-year-old.
 
Diodoro, who also won this race last year as part of a doubleheader with his Scottsdale win, will send forth Caan Me, maiden winner of his most recent start February 18. The son of Square Eddie will be making his first start over grass and will be turning for the first time.