Racing


Dig Deeper Gets Up in Turf Paradise Early Derby
Dig Deeper, under jockey Francisco Monroy, rallies to win the $9,500 Early Derby (not black type) Sunday afternoon at Turf Paradise.

© Coady Photography
Dig Deeper Gets Up in Turf Paradise Early Derby

PHOENIX, AZ-JANUARY 21, 2018-Dig Deeper, a son of last year's leading third-crop sire One Sweet Jess, got up at the wire to defeat Dominate This by a nose in the $9,500 Early Derby (not black type) Sunday afternoon at Turf Paradise. Hw Double Down Perry finished 1-½ lengths back for third.

Following an awkward start, under jockey Francisco Monroy, Dig Deeper drove to victory in :17.819 seconds, a 92-speed index for the 350 yards.

Alex Torres-Casas owns-and-trains the Cal-bred gelding out of Halfpast Heartbreak by Corona Cartel. It was the third career win in 13 starts for Dig Deeper and the $5,537 winners' purse boosted his bankroll to $21,000.

Bred by Martha Wells, the 3-year-old was third in the Arizona QRA Futurity and a finalist in the Turf Paradise Juvenile Challenge last season.

Jockey Emilo Tapia had the riding assignment aboard runner-up Dominate This for trainer Jose Badilla, Sr. and owners Jorge Herrera and Angel Hernandez. Bred in Oklahoma by Brenda Reiswig, from the Valiant Hero mare Valiant Red Vixen, Dominate This earned $1,786. Second in the AQRA President's Fall Futurity and fourth in the Arizona QRA Futurity, he has earned $23,965.

Hw Double Down Perry earned $893 for finishing third for owner/breeder Harold Wright. Matthew Fales conditions the Arizona bred son of Dejon from the Mr Corona Cash mare Streakns Easy. Andres Osuna had the riding call.

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