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Desert Classic Futurity Trials Set The Stage For Arizona’s Next Class Of Stars At Turf Paradise
Twenty-four juveniles will compete in three trial heats for the Desert Classic Futurity on April 4 at Turf Paradise.

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Desert Classic Futurity Trials Set The Stage For Arizona’s Next Class Of Stars At Turf Paradise

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

PHOENIX, AZ–April 4, 2026
The Monday card at Turf Paradise will feature a competitive nine-race program highlighted by three trial heats for the Desert Classic Futurity, bringing together twenty-four juveniles sired by stallions nominated to the Arizona Quarter Horse Association’s stakes program. The first three races, each contested at 300 yards and scheduled to begin around 1:15 PM, will determine the qualifiers for the April 27 final of the $25,000-added Desert Classic Futurity.

In the opening heat, Kevins Dime Piece enters as the 3-1 morning line favorite, looking to improve off her debut effort. The filly finished fourth behind fellow trial contender Cyber Buzz on March 12, showing early promise before weakening late at 250 yards. With that experience behind her, she returns with a chance to take a step forward against similar company.

Sired by Kvn Corona and out of Aquafina by First Down Dash, the Utah-bred filly was bred by McColee Land & Livestock, LLC, and races for J Lazy Six Racing. Trainer David John Williams will saddle her from post five, with jockey Kevin Carbajal retaining the mount.

The second trial brings another competitive matchup, as Gilligan is listed at 2-1 on the morning line following a runner-up effort to Cyber Buzz in that same March 12 event. The colt closed gamely but came up just a half-length short at the wire, suggesting added distance and racing experience could work in his favor.

Owned by Juan Angel Ruiz, who purchased him for $15,000 at the Heritage Place Sale, Gilligan is by Cyber Monday and out of Jeanetics by Mr Jess Perry. Conditioned by Matthew M. Fales, he will break from the rail with Oscar Andrade, Jr. in the irons.

All eyes, however, will be on the third and final trial, where Cyber Buzz emerges as the standout of the group. The filly made an immediate impression in her debut, edging away to a half-length victory on March 12 with a determined finish that stamped her as the one to beat. Carrying that momentum into the trials, she appears poised to deliver another strong performance as she seeks a berth in the final. Owned and trained by Alex J. Torres-Casas, Cyber Buzz was a $8,000 purchase from the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

The Oklahoma-bred filly is sired by Cyber Monday and out of Hunny Bee by Apollitical Jess, bred by Thomas J. Scheckel. She will break from the outside post eight under jockey Francisco Zamora.

With twenty-four juveniles set to compete, the Desert Classic Futurity Trials promise to deliver a glimpse of the next wave of talent emerging in the Southwest. As these young prospects line up for their shot at qualifying, every stride will matter in securing a place in the lucrative April 27 final.

The races at Turf Paradise can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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