Racing


Captain Mazurk Surprises in Sicilian Slammer Stakes at Rillito Park
Captain Mazurk, under jockey Luis Valenzuela, winning the Sicilian Slammer Stakes (not black type) Sunday at Rillito Park.

© Coady Photography
Captain Mazurk Surprises in Sicilian Slammer Stakes at Rillito Park

TUCSON, AZ—MARCH 17, 2019— The first of two Quarter Horse stakes on closing day at Rillito Park ended in an upset as Captain Mazurk ($20.20) and Luis Valenzuela won the $11,000 Sicilian Slammer Stakes (not black type). The duo led gate-to-wire from their outside post in the 220-yard event for fillies and mares. The final time was 11.955, giving the winner a 96 speed index.

Captain Mazurk is owned and trained by Eric Valenzuela. She is a 3-year-old filly by Captain Courage, out of the Tr Dasher mare Napa Valley Girl, bred in California by Tyler Ranch LLC.

The winning connections of Captain Mazurk accept the Sicilian Slammer Stakes tropy at Rillito Park.
© Coady Photography

The stakes win was also the first career win for Captain Mazurk. She had made eight previous starts and finished in the money in half of her races, all in Arizona. She was second by a neck in her previous start at Rillito in February.

Harlan County, the post-time favorite, broke well but failed to catch Captain Mazurk, finishing a half-length behind the leader in second place. The 4-year-old filly was making her first start at Rillito and her first start at 220 yards. She has two career wins in 19 starts and has now finished second in six races, including her last four races.

Harlan County is trained by Benito Guillen Vega for owner Deni Rodarte Puente; Emilio Tapia had the call. She is an Illinois-bred daughter of Volcom, out of the Dean Miracle mare Lil Sharky, bred by Ronald Martin.

Ima Special Reb and Martin Osuna were gaining on Harlan County and finished a nose behind her in third place for trainer Armando Castellanos and owner Jo An Di Filippo.

Ima Special Reb is a 6-year-old mare by Rebs Royal Dasher, out of Angelina Special by Ausual Suspect. She was bred in Arizona by W.D. Herbert. Ima Special Reb won her last start, also at Rillito, by nearly two lengths in an allowance race. As a 3-year-old, she qualified for the Desert Classic Derby at Turf Paradise.

Completing the field were Special Train, Sunnita Special, Jenna Cartel and Baja Cartel. Pcr Mad Version was scratched.