Racing


Matthew Fales Saddles President's Stakes Double Header at Turf Paradise
Phone Tag, under jockey Jorge Bourdieu, holds off Jess So Happens in the AQRA President's Open Spring Futurity at Turf Paradise.

© Coady Photography
Matthew Fales Saddles President's Stakes Double Header at Turf Paradise

PHOENIX, AZ—APRIL 26, 2012—Trainer Matthew Fales saddled the winner's of both the AQRA President's Open Spring Futurity and the AQRA Presidents Spring Open Derby on Friday afternoon at Turf Paradise.

AQRA President's Open Spring Futurity

In the $44,275 AQRA President's Open Spring Futurity Martha Well's homebred Phone Tag bounced off a fourth place effort in the trials to defeat fastest qualifier Jess So Happens by a head.

Jockey Jorge Bourdieu rode the Separatist gelding over the 300 yards in :15.974 seconds to pickup the winner's purse of $22,138. The California bred is out of the Hawkinson mare Hope To Cope.

The winning connections of Phone Tag in the Turf Paradise winner's circle. © Coady Photography
Post-time favorite Jess So Happens broke out and could not make up enough ground over the short distance. The colt by first crop sire Jess Zoomin earned $8,855 for owner Corina Molina and Trisha Rivera. Thomas Moreno trains with Luis Gutierrez, Jr., riding the Arizona bred. He is out of the Moon Lark mare Shake The Moon.

Caracortada finished another head back in the show position for owner/breeder Ramon Vejar. John Ashby trains the Azoom colt out of Classy Judgette, by Judge Cash. Michael Ybarra was aboard to earn $4,428.

Completing the futurity field were Flashs Best Splash, One Fantastic Chick, Fire Thorn, Jo Jo Hot, Hotrod Girl, Daisy To Go and Yn Red Diablo.

AQRA Presidents Spring Open Derby

In the AQRA Presidents Spring Open Derby trainer Matthew Fales saddled the lightly raced Cuz I Say So to her first career stakes win. Under jockey Joe Ruiz, the First Down Dash filly completed her 350 yard task in a quick :17.704 seconds, a 97 speed index, to win by 1 ¼ lengths. It was the third win in five starts for the sorrel miss and the $17,480 winner's purse boosted her career total to $23,434.

Cuz I Said So, under jockey Joe Ruiz, cruises over the finish line in the AQRA Presidents Spring Open Derby.
© Coady Photography
Jesus Javier Borboa owns the filly out of the Mr Jess Perry mare La Michoacana. Vessels Stallion Farm, LLC and Isla Vista Ranch SS, Inc. bred her in California.

Fastest qualifier Quick To Boogie earned $6,992 for finishing second. Gilberto Hernandez saddled the Royal Blue Chew Chew gelding for owner Carlos Pelayo.

The winning connections of Cuz I Said So in the Turf Paradise winner's circle. © Coady Photography
The $6,992 place check pushed his career total past $17,100. Dale Smith bred Quick To Boogie in Arizona from the Late To Bed mare Shakin Ana Dashin.

Higinio Avilez' Diablos Cartel finished a nose back in the third. The Teller Cartel gelding is still a maiden after eight career starts but finished on the board three times. Tomas Moreno trains with Luis Gutierrez, Jr. riding. Corina Molina bred the black gelding in Arizona from the Takin On The Cash mare Fb Kokopelli.

Lady By The Bay, One Flying Eagle, Black Storm Regard, Ravine, Sixsito, Corona For Everybody and Viva La Blue completed the derby field.