Racing


Nevada Cat Wire-to-Wire Winner in AQRA President’s Open Spring Derby Consolation
Nevada Cat, under jockey Mark Jasso, wins the AQRA President’s Open Spring Derby Consolation at Turf Paradise.

© Coady Photography
Nevada Cat Wire-to-Wire Winner in AQRA President’s Open Spring Derby Consolation

PHOENIX, AZ—APRIL 8, 2018—For the second time in his young career, Nevada Cat missed the final but won the consolation, this time in the $7,000 AQRA President’s Open Spring Derby Consolation (not black-type) at Turf Paradise. Final time for the 350-yard race was 17.938 and Nevada Cat, with jockey Mark Jasso up, earned an 88 speed index.

Nevada Cat ($4.40) is an Arizona homebred for Scott McDaniel; John Allred trains. The son of Furyofthewind is out of Helens Straw Hat by Heza Motor Scooter.

The 3-year-old gelding has won half of his six lifetime starts. He debuted in October at Turf Paradise and made his second start in a trial for the AQRA Futurity in November. Though he failed to qualify, he returned to win the futurity consolation in December.

He won an allowance in January before running fourth in his trial for the AQRA President’s Open Spring Derby.

Higher Icon finished second in the same trial, but was second to Nevada Cat in Sunday’s Derby Consolation. The homebred for Martha Wells chased Nevada Cat from the gate and finished a half-length short as the second favorite.

Higher Icon, bred in Arizona, is by Texas Icon and is out of Flyhigher, by On a High. Ralph Fales trains; Jorge Martin Bourdieu was aboard for Sunday’s race.

The 3-year-old gelding has just one win from nine starts, but has placed second in seven races, including his last five consecutive starts. Higher Icon was also second in the 2017 $57,009 Desert Classic Futurity at Turf Paradise last April.

A length behind Higher Icon was Mystoli and jockey David Reyes-Frisby. Mystoli is trained by Juan Quintana Gutierrez for owner Rene Carreon.

The Stoli filly was bred in Texas by Bobby Cox, out of the graded stakes placed mare Miss Lena Perry by Mr Jess Perry.

Completing the field were Dating Game, Cartel Bad Boy, De Bad Company, Pure Ivory, Frostys Sis, Hw Double Down Perry and She Steals.