Nine One Won is one of the leading contender running in the AQRA Turf Paradise Open QH Derby on Wednesday.

© StallioneSearch

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

PHOENIX, AZ–DECEMBER 27, 2025—The New Year’s Eve Wednesday program at Turf Paradise will feature an eight-race card beginning at approximately 1:15 PM, highlighted by two key AQRA events: the $17,800 AQRA Turf Paradise Open Derby Consolation Stakes and the $68,875 AQRA Turf Paradise Open Quarter Horse Derby. Both races bring together qualifiers from the December 1 trial heats and showcase some of the track’s top three-year-old talent.

The afternoon opens with the $17,800 AQRA Turf Paradise Open Derby Consolation Stakes, an overnight event contested at 400 yards for the second ten fastest qualifiers from the trials.

Sassy Angel leads the field as the 3-1 morning line favorite. The three-year-old filly finished third in her trial heat after a late rally and previously qualified for the $200,000 All American Juvenile, where she encountered trouble. Before that effort, she had put together a three-race winning streak. From seven career starts, she has earned $38,280 for owners Cornerstone Stables, who purchased her for $32,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

Sired by Flying Cowboy 123 and out of Sassy Irish Lassie by Walk Thru Fire, Sassy Angel was bred in Oklahoma by Bollenbach Farms. Joe M. Davis trains the filly, who will break from post four with David Alvarez Jr. aboard.

The second race, set to go at approximately 1:45 PM, features the $68,875 AQRA Turf Paradise Open Quarter Horse Derby at 400 yards, bringing together the ten fastest qualifiers from the trial heats.

Nine One Won enters as one of the leading contenders after a strong and consistent derby campaign that included qualifications to the G3 Oklahoma Derby, G2 Heritage Place Derby, Retama Park Derby, G2 Dash for Cash Derby, and the G1 Texas Classic Derby.

The Tempting Dash gelding has recorded six career victories and has earned $194,885 for owners Jimenas Ranch. Bred in Texas by Cindi M. Keeton and out of Not My Choice by Jody O Toole, he is trained by Raul Ramirez and will start from post nine with Esgar Ramirez in the irons.

Challenging him is Cd Favorite Lady, listed at 4-1 on the morning line after posting the fastest time in the derby trials. The homebred filly for Cesar J. Dabdoub captured the $40,000 Downs Fall Distaff Stakes in October and now owns four career victories with earnings of $56,053.

Sired by Favorite Cartel and out of Jessa Lady Cee by Mr Jess Perry, she is conditioned by Havid Canez and will race from post six with Cerapio Figueroa aboard.

With a competitive group of ten three-year-olds lining up to conclude their derby season, the $68,875 AQRA Turf Paradise Open Quarter Horse Derby promises an exciting and fitting New Year’s Eve highlight for fans and bettors at Turf Paradise.

The Turf Paradise races can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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