Jess Mr Mayito, ridden by Andres Osuna, wins the $22,500 Mark Villa Maiden Stakes at Turf Paradise on Monday afternoon.

© Coady Media

PHOENIX, AZ–DECEMBER 2, 2024–Jess Mr Mayito held well under pressure and drove home a gate-to-wire victory in the $22,500 Mark Villa Maiden Stakes at Turf Paradise on Monday afternoon.

Ridden by Andres Osuna, Jess Mr Mayito clocked an 89 speed index in 17.818 seconds. He crossed the wire first by a neck over the heavy favorite Break Even, and jockey Aaron Belloc, which paid $6.40 to win on 2-1 odds. Mr Prize Kvn, piloted by Luis Valenzuela, followed in 2 1/4 lengths back for third.

Jess Mr Mayito made one start as a two-year-old in the All American Futurity trials. Returning to the track this year, the three-year-old son of Perrys Stamina now has two wins from five starts after breaking his maiden at Turf Paradise on November 21.

The winning connections of Jess Mr Mayito accept the $22,500 Mark Villa Maiden Stakes trophy at Turf Paradise on Monday. © Coady Media

Today’s $13,275 payday boosted Jess Mr Mayito’s earnings to $27,775 for owner-breeder Maclovio Regalado of Arizona. Jorge Duarte-Noriega trains the sorrel gelding out of Stoletta by Stoli.

Runner-up Break Even has yet to break his maiden from six starts. The $70,000 Los Alamitos Equine Sale has earned $7,335 for owner-trainer Alex Torres-Casas. Dr. Steve D. Burns, DVM, bred the son of Favorite Cartel in California out of Baccarat Bar by Hawkinson.

Torres-Cassas also owns and trains third-place finisher Mr Prize Kvn. The son of Kvn Corona was bred in Oklahoma by Weetona Stanley. The three-year-old gelding out of Ms Fast Prize Corona by Spit Curl Jess has yet to break his maiden from 11 starts with $9,145 in the bank.

Stone Cash, Little Patriot, Jess A Piloto, Lady Dealin Rogue, Gooses Corona Jet, Msblue and King Of The Vine complete the order of finish.

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