PHOENIX, AZ—DECEMBER 10, 2017—Fitz, a son of the late leading sire Mr Jess Perry, got up at the wire to defeat Mr Dynasty by a nose in the $44,935 AQRA-Turf Paradise Open Quarter Horse Derby Sunday afternoon at Turf Paradise.

Ridden by jockey Joseph Belloc, Jr., Fitz broke out then drifted late while completing the 400 yards in :19.618 seconds, a 102 speed index with a 13 mph tailwind.

Trainer Rigoberto Guillen saddled the gelding to his third consecutive win for owner Yuriana Ramirez. Bred by Double Bar S Ranch LLC, Fitz earned $22,468 to double his earnings total to $43,237.

Out of the First Down Dash mare Dividends Declared, Fitz has compiled a (15) 4-3-0 record. Second in the AQRA President's Open Spring Derby in March todays victory was the first stakes win for the California-bred gelding.

Trainer John Allred saddled runner-up Mr Dynasty for himself and Mary Allred. Mark Jasso rode the FDD Dynasty gelding out of Jess Joyner by Feature Mr Jess. The Arizona homebred picked up $8,987 for the effort.

Fastest qualifier Apollitical Boogie broke awkward but still managed to finish third for owner/breeder Amado De La Riva. Jockey Emilio Tapia had the riding call for trainer Eloy Mendoza. The son of leading sire Apollitical Jess is out of Shakin Ana Dashin by Late To Bed. He earned $4,494.

C You At The Top, Arizona Icon, Cypress Sally, Jess Klas, Kronos, Rock On Dynasty and Blueist completed the field.