Familiar foes clash in sprint

PHOENIX – The top Arizona-bred sprinters, male and female, go for bragging rights in their respective divisions Saturday at Turf Paradise.

The $50,000 Cactus Wren (race 6) for colts and geldings, 4-years-old and up, drew a field of six, headed by grizzled veterans and frequent rivals Annie’s Boy and Ramblin’ Man. The $50,000 Cactus Flower (race 4), for fillies and mares, 4 years old and up, also drew six, led by stakes winner Outside the Law and the sharp Alberta Sun. Both races are at 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track.

Annie’s Boy and Rambin’ Man have knocked heads numerous times over the years and go at it again in the Cactus Wren. Annie’s Boy, a 6-year-old gelding owned by Michael Feigenbaum and trained by Rafael Barraza, may be the speed of the field. Annie’s Boy, a son of Lotsa Mischief, ran second in this race in 2021 (Ramblin’ Man was third) and set a sharp pace before finishing second in the ATBA Sales Stakes here Feb. 4. But that was his first start in almost 10 months, so he should be fitter on Saturday and figures to break running from the rail.

Ramblin’ Man, an 8-yearold gelded son of Uh Oh Bango owned by Kevin Owens and trained by Kory Owens, gamely won this race last year. As opposed to his rival, he’s been racing regularly the past year or so. He won the Saguaro here Dec. 21 and then rallied for third after a slow start in a strong open allowance race here Jan. 28. He has the tactical speed to keep his main rival in his sights.

Cactus Flower

Outside the Law comes into the Cactus Flower off a string of good efforts. Owned by John Campo III and trained by Stacy Campo, the 6-year-old daughter of Macho Uno won a stakes at Arizona Downs last summer, was twice stakes-placed here in the fall, and then was third in another stakes Jan. 8 at Sunland Park. She last ran third against open allowance foes here Jan. 26.

Alberta Sun, a 5-year-old daughter of Ministers Wild Cat owned by Chris Nolan and trained by Robertino Diodoro, comes off a solid third in the filly division of the ATBA Sales Stakes here Feb. 4. That was her first run in almost three months, so she could move forward. She is 3 for 5 at Turf Paradise.

Reign of Fire, a 5-year-old daughter of Vronsky owned by Tijuana Racing Stables and trained by Juan Silva, has blossomed this meet. She tries tougher after two big claiming wins.