Run Raging Rhino Run, under jockey Karlo Lopez, winning the $21,973 Turf Paradise Distance Challenge Stakes on Sunday.

© Coady Photography

PHOENIX, AZ—APRIL 28, 2019— The first of four stakes races at Turf Paradise on Sunday afternoon featured an easy win by the favorite, Run Raging Rhino Run, in the $21,973 Turf Paradise Distance Challenge Stakes.

Run Raging Rhino Run ($2.60) and jockey Karlo Lopez covered 870 yards in 45.090 to earn a 96 speed index. The duo broke first and enjoyed a gate-to-wire lead before winning by almost two lengths.

Sunday’s win was the tenth career victory for the 6-year-old gelding, and it was his first race in 26 starts outside of Los Alamitos.

The multiple stakes winning son of FDD Dynasty has only finished out of the money at 870 yards once in nine attempts and has earned $86,611 in his career to date.

The winning connections of Run Raging Rhino Run accept the Turf Paradise Distance Challenge stakes trophy on Sunday. © Coady Photography

Run Raging Rhino Run is trained by Felix Gonzalez for owner Dan Wilson. He was bred in California by W.G. Racing, out of the Tres Seis mare Love That Six.

Executive Trust finished in second place, well clear of third place finisher Nicos First Cartel. Executive Trust was ridden by Enrique Garcia for trainer Guadalupe Munoz, Jr.

Executive Trust is a specialist at 870 yards, with 12 wins and eight seconds in 29 starts at the distance. The 8-year-old gelding is a multiple stakes winner and has placed in multiple graded stakes, with career earnings of $325,944.

Sherree Meridyth owns the son of Executive Menace. Executive Trust was bred by Scarlett Hill Farm, Inc. in Texas, out of the Relagate mare Entrust.

Nicos First Cartel completed the trifecta at odds of 20-1. The 3-year-old was attempting the 870-yard distance for just the second time in his career. Juan Rivas had the call for trainer Pedro Urias Soto and owner Erica Carreon.

Nicos First Cartel is by First Prize Perry and is out of the Royal Cartel mare Cartel Moon; he was bred in Arizona by Fernando Canales. The gelding qualified for both the Desert Classic Futurity and the AQRA President’s Fall Futurity at Turf Paradise last year.

Completing the field were Dan the Flashman, Rock on Zoomer and A Mere Icon.