The City of Phoenix
Ridden confidently by Andrew Ramgeet, 4-5 favorite Fight to Glory ($3.80) sped to the lead she never relinquished as BCZ Middleton stayed within striking distance but came up a length short of the winner, the same position she finished in this race last year. Listo finished third in the field of seven fillies and mares.
Owned by Charles Garvey of Alberta, Canada and conditioned by leading trainer Robertino Diodoro, the 3-year-old Fight to Glory, redeeming herself after finishing third to BCZ Middleton in the Princess of Palms Stakes, raced the 6-furlongs in 1:09.70 for her fourth victory in nine starts. Fight to Glory now has earnings of $71,462.
The Luke Kruytbosch
Meanwhile, Kaabraaj ($9.80) followed the same catch-me-if-you-can strategy he employed in winning the Luke Kruytbosch last year. Handling several challengers from the get-go, Scott Stevens kept Kaabraaj focused on the prize and pulled away in the final sixteenth of a mile for a 2 ¼ length victory over Keller’s Gold with Leadem in Ken third in the field of nine colts and geldings. The favored Shrewd Move tired to finish fifth.
Owned by Warlock Stables and Horseplayers Racing Club and trained by Jeff Metz (also trainer of BCZ Middleton), Kaabraaj raced the 6-furlongs in 1:09.25 for his seventh win in 26 efforts. With the victory, the 5-year-old Kaabraaj raised his career earnings to $160,421.