PHOENIX, AZ—APRIL 30, 2017—Multiple stakes winner Mickey Ward was much the best today as he cleared the field early then romped to a 5 ¼ length victory over former Distance Champion Executive Trust in the $20,340 AQHA Turf Paradise Distance Challenge. Rare Ed finished a neck back for third.

Saddled by trainer Matthew Fales and ridden by jockey Jorge Bourdieu, Mickey Ward raced over the 870 yards in a quick :44.771 seconds to earn a 101-speed index. It was the fifth career win for world champion sire FDD Dynasty and the $9,967 winner's purse boosted his career mark to nearly $60,000.

An Arizona homebred racing for Ralph and Carolyn Fales, Mickey Ward also picked up a starting spot in the Grade 1 $105,000 Distance Challenge Championship to be contested October 14th at Prairie Meadows.

Bred from the Leaving Memories mare A Mere Formality, Mickey Ward has compiled a (17) 5-5-1 record. This is the third consecutive year he has won the Turf Paradise Distance Challenge.

Former champion Executive Trust has finished twice in both his 2017 starts at Turf Paradise. Guadalupe Munoz, Jr. conditions the son of Executive Menace for owner Sherree Meridyth. Bred in Texas by Scarlett Hill Farm Inc., from the Relagate (TB) mare Entrust, the gray 6-year-old has earned $281,231. Ruby Gonzalez had the riding assignment.

Ernesto Alcoverde saddled third-place finisher Rare Ed for owner Martin Marin. Luis Yescas had the riding assignment aboard the graded stakes winning son of Dean Miracle from the Corona Cartel mare Ms Corona Jet. Bred in Illinois by Ronald Martin, the 6-year-old picked up $2,136 to boost his earnings to $93,437.

A Tidal Delight, Fighter Gone Wild, Easee Ryder and Yn Shagouti.