Local turf talent on display in stakes

PHOENIX – Grass is the theme Saturday at Turf Paradise as a stakes doubleheader features some of the top grass performers of both sexes on the grounds. The $30,000 Walter R. Cluer, named for the track’s founder, matches a full field of 12 at a mile to close the card in race 8. Seven turf fillies and mares also go a mile in the $30,000 Queen of the Green in race 5.

The Cluer poses quite the puzzle as there aren’t many horses in sharp turf form. A slight edge may go to High Security, a 6-year-old son of Malibu Moon owned by Seven Arms Stable and Darcy Peterson and trained by David Van Winkle. He comes out of some dull outings, but his best form has come on grass and he was three-time stakes-placed on this course earlier this year.

Greyflower, a 3-year-old gelded son of Flower Alley owned by Pink Cloud Racing and trained by Wade Rarick, steps up after putting in a strong rally to beat allowance foes here Nov. 6, his first try on this course.

Circus Act, a 3-year-old gelded son of Discreet Cat owned by H & E Ranch and trained by Molly Pearson, finished third as the 3-10 favorite going 7 1/2 furlongs here Nov. 6 and could rebound. Thetrailerguy and Success Rate just finished first and second on this course at about this trip in an optional-claiming race Nov. 10.

While the Cluer is confusing, there’s a standout in the Queen of the Green. Medaglia Gold, a 3-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro owned by Larry and Marianne Williams and trained by Shawn Davis, comes here off three straight wins on turf. The first two came against allowance foes at Canterbury this summer, and then she won geared down in an allowance race on this course Nov. 4.

Hip Ninety Three, a 6-yearold daughter of Harlington owned by Brent Stapley, Linden Hatch, and Delwyn Ellis and trained by Sergio Barrio, ran third to Medaglia Gold in that Nov. 4 race. She finished second in this race last year.

Queen Lilly Kay and Morning Dance could pose threats, having finished first and second against optional claimers on Nov. 5 at about this trip.

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