PHOENIX, AZ—JANUARY 15, 2020—Apollitical Papa, a grade 1 qualifying son of leading sire Apollitical Jess, kicked off the 2021 racing season with a half-length win over Ajs On Time in the $12,500 Wayne Brasher Memorial Stakes (not black type) Friday afternoon at Turf Paradise.

Ridden by jockey Duane Sterling, Apollitical Papa completed the 250 yards in :13.072 seconds, setting a new course record at Turf Paradise. The previous record of :13.098 seconds was set October 16, 2009 by Tough To Be Humble.

Trainer Fred Danley saddled the Oklahoma-homebred to his fifth career win for owner-breeders Bob and Sissie McClure. Out of the Tres Seis mare Sissys Tres Girl, Apollitical Papa was a finalist in the Grade 1 Ruidoso QH Derby last summer. The $7,363 Wayne Brasher winners' purse boosted his earnings total to $106,450.

Facing older horses for the first time in his career Ajs On Time earned $2,375 for second. Jesus Olivas-Valenzuela trains the 3-year-old son of Apollitical Jess for owner Ricardo Ramirez. Spackman Racing bred the gelding in Idaho form the Corona Cartel mare Coronation Time. Jacob Enriquez had the riding call.

Dracarys, a Louisiana-bred son of multiple stakes sire Five Bar Cartel, finished a neck back in third to earn $1,188. Emilio Tapia had the riding call aboard the 4-year-old gelding for owner Rene Ortiz and trainer Gilbert Caudillo. Rouse Racing Farms bred Dracarys from the Mr Jess Perry mare Ms Skyfall. He has earned $27,473.

Be Quite, May Be Fantastic, Jess To Reel, Rarin, The Winners Straw, Miss First N Wild and Separate Delight 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.