TUCSON, AZ—FEBRUARY 22, 2019—Coming off an impressive allowance win on February 10th, Mr Pura Vida will head five hopefuls on Sunday in the $8,000 Rillito Derby (not black type) to be contested over 330 yards.

A son of last year's national leading first-crop sire Five Bar Cartel, Mr Pura Vida has compiled a (6) 2-0-0 record and banked $6,305. Trainer Vanessa Marquez conditions the sorrel gelding for owner Oscar Pesqueira.

On February 10th Mr Pure Vida completed 300 yards at Rillito Park in :15.462 seconds, winning by 1-¾ lengths while earning a 94 speed index. Bred in Mexico, from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess A Fling, the Pesqueira homebred broke his maiden for a $7,500 tag at Ruidoso Downs last summer.

Jockey Carlos Marquez will ride Mr Pura Vida from the 5 post.

Three-time winner Im Rocket Man will start from post 3 for owner Jesus Avila and trainer Eloy Navarro. A finalist in the AQRA Turf Paradise Futurity in December the son of world champion and champion sire One Dashing Eagle has compiled a (10) 3-1-2 record and banked $16,863. Jose and Gustavo De La Torre bred Im Rocket Man in California from the Spanish Boot mare Dlt Runaway. Ernie Aispuro has been tapped to ride.

Fabulous Daze, who was second in Mr Pura Vida's February 10 allowance victory races off the inside rail for owner-breeder Rene Chavez. Trainer Antonio Ballesteros has named jockey Elia Gutierrez to ride the daughter of Dog Daze Afternoon from the A Regal Choice mare One Fabulous Choice. A winner in eight starts, the Arizona-bred filly was a finalist in the AQRA President's Fall Futurity and has earned nearly $8,000.

The field for the Rillito Derby, in post order including jockey assignments are:

1. Fabulous Daze (E. Gutierrez)
2. El Martillito (D. Reyes-Frisby)
3. Im Rocket Man (E. Aispuro)
4. Ur My Favorite (J. Bellock, Jr.)
5. Mr Pura Vida (C.W. Marquez)