| BERT'S BABY 1st Career Win for Jockey Amelia Hauschild!! Turf Paradise Phoenix, Arizona April 17, 2017 Race #06 Purse $10,500 5-1/2 Furlongs 1:04.92 Juan G. Flores-Carrillo, Owner Jon Paul Silva, Trainer Amelia Hauschild, Jockey Maritalpreservation (2nd) Reconciling (3rd) $96.80 $24.20 $7.20 Order of Finish - 7, 9, 1, 5 Please Give Photo Credit To: Coady Photography |
![]() The Lutheran Church of the Master in Phoenix is once again holding its annual Easter Sunrise Service at Turf Paradise on Sunday April 16 in a tradition that began 55 years ago. The church first opened in the early 60’s but there wasn’t enough room to accommodate an Easter service. Turf Paradise opened its doors a few years earlier and agreed to provide the Church of the Master space for the service. That tradition continues today. The service begins at 6am in the third floor grandstand providing parishioners a breathtaking view of the sunrise over the track. The service is open to all faiths. Pastor David Fechner will be officiating. Turf Paradise is located at 1501 West Bell Road in Phoenix. Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia stated, “Who could have imagined this Easter service would become a 55 year tradition? We’re honored to provide this unique venue.” The service takes place in the outdoor third floor grandstand overlooking the beautifully landscaped track, with its lagoon and palm trees, and the surrounding mountains providing an inspiring backdrop. Turf Paradise opened its doors in 1956 and has operated at the same location (19th Avenue and Bell) ever since making it Arizona’s first sports franchise.
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 Only Kentucky Derby Party Where You Can Watch, Wager, and |
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