Racing


Sweet Babie James Gets Up In Desert Classic Derby
Sweet Babie James, under jockey Jorge Bourdieu, drives to victory in the $20,900 Desert Classic Derby Sunday afternoon at Turf Paradise.

© Coady Photography
Sweet Babie James Gets Up In Desert Classic Derby

PHOENIX, AZ—NOVEMBER 5, 2017—Ralph and Carolyn Fales Sweet Babie James got up at the wire by a neck over La Moneda to win the $20,900 Desert Classic Derby Sunday afternoon at Turf Paradise. Frozen Icon finished a nose back to take third in the blanket finish.

Ridden by jockey Jorge Bourdieu, Sweet Babie James completed the 350-yard task in :17.900 seconds, a 90-speed index into a 16-mph headwind.

Matthew Fales conditions the homebred son of One Sweet Jess for his parent's owner/breeders Ralph and Carolyn Fales. From the Corona Cartel mare Already In Love, Sweet Babie James has compiled an (11) 4-1-2 record and used the $10,450 winners' purse today to boost his bankroll to $27,716.

Loretta Brasher (right) presents the Desert Classic Derby stakes trophy to the Fales family, winning connections of Sweet Babie James. © Coady Photography
Runner-up La Moneda races for owner/breeder Juan Estrella Chavero. Eloy Mendoza saddled the Arizona bred daughter of The Bounty Man out of Bookinlittlescooter, by Heza Motor Scooter. The sorrel filly banked $4,180 for second. Emilio Tapia was riding.

Also, trained by Matthew Fales, Frozen Icon races for owner/breeder Martha Wells. Justin Klaiber rode the Texas Icon filly out of Icebreaker by Bono Jazz. The multiple stakes-placed filly picked up $2,090 to bring her earnings total to $21,840.

Lt Manup, What Up Buttercup, Kronos, Shenanigans Regard, Volato, Volcano and Fastest Texas Icon completed the field.