PHOENIX, AZ—JANUARY 8, 2020—Under jockey Alfredo Juarez, Jr., J Boy A rallied from third, after going seven-wide off the turn, to defeat Nicos First Cartel by half-a-length in the $12,500 Turf Paradise 870 Challenge Division 2 (not black type) Friday afternoon at Turf Paradise.

Owned-and-trained by Thomas Gonzales, J Boy A completed the 870 yards in :46,724, equaling an 89 speed index. The $7,517 winner's purse boosted the son of Jess Zoomin's earnings total to $$142,80.

Ted G. Abrams bred the 8-year-old gelding in Texas from the A Classic Dash mare Mighty Classy Lady. J Boy A has compiled a (37) 7-8-3 record. He was second in the Sandia Stakes at Albuquerque in 2019.

Nicos First Cartel, a 5-year-old graded-placed son of Frist Prize Perry, chased the pace under jockey Miguel Perez, to finish second for owner Erica Carreon and trainer Gaston Valenzuela. Fernando Canales bred the 5-year-old in Arizona from the Royal Cartel mare Cartel Moon. He earned $2,425 for the effort.

Cupids First Arrow gave way under jockey Hector Aldrete to finish 2-¼ lengths back in third. Also trained by Gaston Valenzuela, the 4-year-old son of Valiant Hero picked up $1,213 to boost his earnings total to $21,988. Reliance Ranches LLC bred the sorrel gelding in Oklahoma from the First Down Dash mare Vikes Dashing.

Foggia, Franklyenergized, E J's Gold, Ministerdon'tlie and Noreason Fordiamonds completed the field.

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With more than 50 off-track-bettting locations across Arizona and Turf Paradise able to be wagered on many platforms across the country, Turf Paradise will be increasing its social media presence and interaction with fans on their Facebook page and Twitter account. (@turf_paradise). The track's Grand Canyon Pick-6 jackpot wager will begin with a pool of $28,009.06, which will be carried over from the end of the 2019-20 season.