PHOENIX, Ariz. (Mar. 8, 2024) – Iron horse 10-year-old Minister of Soul, making his sixth appearance in the race, is part of a California-bred quintet entered in Thursday’s $60,000 Phoenix Gold Cup Stakes at Turf Paradise.
Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul is by Minister’s Wild Cat, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, was bred by Dahlberg Farms and is owned by trainer Esteban Martinez. The $16,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has 18 wins in 65 starts, earnings of $589,722 and is coming off a second in a Feb. 27 optional claimer. He was seventh in this race last year, fifth in 2022, third in 2021, second in 2020 and won in 2019.
Principe Carlo is by Coil, out of the Rahy mare Princess Ezra, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Mia Familia Racing Stable and Rockingham Ranch and is trained by Justin Evans. He has nine wins in 35 starts, earnings of $550,005 and is coming off a fourth in a Feb. 18 optional claimer.
Prayer of Jebez is by Stanford, out of the Kafwain mare Alwayzabridesmaid, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbred, is owned by Anthon DeMarco and trained by Edward Kereluk. He has six wins in 27 starts, earnings of $187,376 and is coming off a Feb. 20 claiming win.
Moose Mitchell is by Danzing Candy, out of the City Zip mare Sunrise Avenue, was bred by Kathleen Kennedy, is owned by R L Stables and is trained by George Papaprodromou. He has eight wins in 29 starts, earnings of $468,880 and is coming off a fifth in the Jan. 13 Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint.
Highland Ghost is by Shaman Ghost, out of the Include mare Wee Highland Lass, was bred by owner Highland Yard and is trained by O.J. Jauregui. He has three wins in 19 starts, earnings of $175,860 and is coming off a third in a Feb. 11 optional claimer.