Kind Of Gallant, under jockey Alexis Valdes, winning the $25,000 Turf Paradise 870 Championship at Turf Paradise Monday afternoon.

© Coady Photography

PHOENIX, AZ—JANUARY 9, 2023—It was a 1-2-3 finish by thoroughbreds in the $25,000 Turf Paradise 870 Championship Stakes on Monday at Turf Paradise Racecourse.

In his first career start at 870 yards Kind Of Gallant (TB) and jockey Alexis Valdes got away alertly, dueled between horses before clearing the field at the 1/8th pole and winning by 2-1/2 lengths at odds of 22-1. Kind Of Gallant completed the course in :44.683 seconds to earn a 105 speed index.

Frank Lucarelli saddled the California-bred son of Gallant Son for himself and co-breeder Chris Randall. The first win against Quarter Horse competition paid $15,035 to add to his thoroughbred record of (15) 2-4-0 and earnings of $31,860.

Out of the Songandaprayer (TB) mare King Of Naughty (TB), Kind Of Gallant won for an $8,000 tag at Emerald Downs two races back.

The winning connections of Kind Of Gallant accept the Turf Paradise 870 Championship Stakes trophy at Turf Paradise. © Coady Photography

King Of Gallant returned $44.80 to win, $16.20 to place and $9.20 to show.

Thief In The Night (TB), a California-bred son of Hidden Blessing, earned $4,850 for second. Trainer Larry Scott, Jr. named Rigo Sarmiento to ride the 6-year-old for owners AZ Sunset Racing Stables.  Megan Stiehr is the breeder.

Jeremy Ramsland's Jazz Hands (TB) finished three-quarters back to earn $2,425 for third. Justin Evans trains the 5-year-old Square Eddie (TB) California bred out of Nicole and Ben by Russian Courage. Luis Negron rode the Reddam Racing LLC gelding.

Capital Expense (TB), From Above (QH), J T's La Nena (TB), Highwire Dance (QH) and Chings Pumba (QH) completed the field.

About Turf Paradise
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).