La Panama West, under jockey Martin Osuna, setting the fastest qualifying time for the $60,288 AQRA-Turf Paradise Open QH Derby Thursday at Turf Paradise Racetrack.

© Coady Photography

PHOENIX, AZ—DECEMBER 1, 2022—At odds of 11-1, stakes winner La Panama West won the last of three trials for the AQRA-Turf Paradise Open QH Derby while posting the top qualifying time Thursday afternoon at Turf Paradise.

The top 10 qualifiers will return to Turf Paradise Racetrack on Thursday, December 22nd to vie for the winner's share of $60,288 purse.

Starting from an off-the-board performance in the Desert Classic Derby in her last start November 12 La Panama West cruised to a quick lead then held for a half-length margin while stopping the clock in :19.693 seconds, a 104 speed index, into a 6 mph headwind. Martin Osuna had the riding call.

Trainer Candelario Villamar saddled the daughter of Panama Wes to her fourth career win in eight starts for owner-breeder Roberto Baeza. Out of the Furrtreeous mare, Jm The Dance, the Arizona-bred filly has banked $32,399.  She won the Double JK Ranch Stakes at Arizona Downs last summer.

Graded stakes-placed B The One finished second to La Panama West to get the second fastest time of :19.763 seconds, a 102 speed index. Jockey Cesar Alamos had the riding call for trainer Armando Alamos.

Onofre Hernandez owns the Oklahoma-bred son of Five Bar Cartel from the Mr Jess Perry mare KT Perry. Bred by Randy and Stacy Hill, B The One has earned $45,291 off five wins in 14 starts. 

Starting off a second-place effort in the James Isaac Hobbs Stakes(G2) at Zia Park October 9th, High Flying Hero was a neck winner over Dash For Cash Derby(G2) winner Favorite Blues Man in the opening trial to get the third fastest clocking of :19.824 seconds, a 99 speed index.

Jesus Carrete named jockey Agustin Silva to ride the Valiant Hero Texas-bred for owner Arturo Cervantes. Ted G. Abrams bred the graded-placed gelding from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess A Classy Lassy. The $71,557 earner is a half-brother to two-time world champion Jessies First Down.

For a complete list of qualifiers, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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