Racing


Kellys First Moon Gets First Win in Turf Paradise Maiden Stake
Kellys First Moon, under jockey Adrian Ramos, winning the $33,725 Turf Paradise Maiden Stake (not black type) on Tuesday.

© Coady Photography
Kellys First Moon Gets First Win in Turf Paradise Maiden Stake

PHOENIX, AZ—JANUARY 26, 2020—Kellys First Moon, under jockey Adrian Ramos, raced to her first career win on Tuesday when she defeated Jess Packn Heat by three-quarters in the $33,725 Turf Paradise Maiden Stake (not black type) at Turf Paradise racetrack.

Conditioned by Eric Valenzuela, Kellys First Moon completed the 300 yards in :15.646 over a "good" racing surface to equal a 92 speed index into a 12 mph headwind. In six starts the brown filly has compiled a (6) 1-2-1 record and today's $16,862 winner's purse boosted her career earnings to $23,841.

Racing for owner NJ Farms LLC, the daughter of champion sire First Moonflash was also third in the Mountain Top Quarter Horse Juvenile at Ruidoso Downs last season. Mike Abraham bred Kellys First Moon in New Mexico from the Corona Cartel mare Corona Kelly.

The winning connections of Kellys First Moon accept the Turf Paradise Maiden Stake winner's blanket on Tuesday afternoon. © Coady Photography
Jess Packn Heat rallied late to finish second for owner-trainer Orlando Guerrero. Kevin Carbajal rode the son of last year's leading first-crop sire Jess Good Candy from the Corona For Me mare Back In The Pack. Reliance Ranches LLC bred the brown gelding in Oklahoma. With a record of two second in four starts, Jess Packn Heat picked up $6,745 for second to bring his earnings total to $8,024.

Matt Fales Bar Fighten finished a head back in third to earn $3,372. Ralph Fales conditions the son of multiple stakes sire Tac It Like A Man from the Takin On The Cash mare Watchin The Rain. Luis Valenzuela had the riding call.

Mae Capone, Saint Icon, Pretty Boy Ar, Dashin Thief, One Sexy Hero V and Brimm Effort. Completed the field.

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With more than 50 off-track-bettting locations across Arizona and Turf Paradise able to be wagered on many platforms across the country, Turf Paradise will be increasing its social media presence and interaction with fans on their Facebook page and Twitter account. (@turf_paradise). The track's Grand Canyon Pick-6 jackpot wager will begin with a pool of $28,009.06, which will be carried over from the end of the 2019-20 season.