PHOENIX, AZ—JANUARY 21, 2017—Sweet Babie James closed well under jockey Jorge Bourdieu to defeat La Moneda by a neck in the $9,250 Early Derby (not black type) at Turf Paradise Saturday afternoon.

The son of leading third crop sire One Sweet Jess completed the 350 yards in :17.975 seconds, an 87-speed index into a 22-mph headwind. The $5,506 winner's purse doubled his career mark to $11,626.

Trainer Matthew Fales saddled the 3-year-old gelding to his second win in six career starts for owner/breeders Carolyn and Ralph Fales. The Arizona-bred is out of Already In Love by Corona Cartel.

Eloy Mendoza saddled runner-up La Moneda for owner/breeder Juan Estrella Chavero. Emilio Tapia rode the daughter of The Bounty Man out of Bookinlittlescooter by Heza Motor Scooter. She earned $1,776 for the effort.

El Cementero, a gelding by Eyemeasy, was 1¼ lengths back to pick up $888 for third. Monica Ortega trains the gray for owner Elizabeth Ruelas. Jesus Osuna had the riding call on the Manuel Martinez Arizona-bred out of Saras Boots by Spanish Boot.

Discrete, Ivory Lady League, Jr Dasher, Kid Parson, Laprieta Linda 2014 and Stel The Magic completed the field.