PHOENIX, Ariz. (Apr. 22, 2022) – A trio of California-sired Arizona-breds won Friday stakes races at Turf Paradise.
Longshot Stephen James, a son of California stallion Ministers Wild Cat, won the $60,000 Dwight D. Patterson Stakes. Stephen James, out of the Mazel Trick mare Suchaprettygirl, was bred by Fleming Thoroughbred Farm. He has three wins in 19 starts and earnings of $77,594. The 4-year-old gelding ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.84 and won by a neck at odds of 15-1 in a field of six.
Big Heat, a daughter of California stallion Mr. Big, won the $60,000 Joanne Dy Breeders’ Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. Big Heat, out of the Unusual Heat mare California Heat, broke her maiden with the win in her fifth career start with earnings of $56,608. The 3-year-old filly ran the six furlongs in 1:1052 and won by 6 ½ lengths at odds of 5-2.
Arizona Sun, a daughter of Ministers Wild Cat, won the $60,000 Ann Owens Distaff Stakes for fillies and mares. Arizona Sun, out of the In Excess mare Cave Springs, has 12 wins in 23 starts and earnings of $286,591. She ran the six furlongs in 1:10.35 and won by 4 ¼ lengths at odds of 3-10.