Tiger Dad Wins Phoenix Gold Cup

Phoenix, AZ (March 11, 2022) – The $100,000 Phoenix Gold Cup at Turf Paradise is the headline event of the season at the Phoenix oval and Tiger Dad added his name to the history books this year with his determined victory.

First out of the gate from post eight, the son of Smiling Tiger found four others to his inside who also wanted to be on the pace as well. Those inside runners rattled off an opening quarter in 21.36 and a half in 43.91 so there was no opportunity for Tiger Dad to save any ground. Parked in the six to eight path the entire trip, Tiger Dad would not be denied and he dug deep for that something extra in the final furlong. He drove to the lead and hit the wire at half-length best, finishing the six furlongs in 1:08.64.

To watch video of the race courtesy of the Blood Horse, Click Here

Tiger Dad has won or placed in sixteen of his twenty-five starts and he has earned $432,875. He races fro Rosette Racing LLC and he is trained by Robertino Diodoro. Bred in California by Mark Devereaux, Scott Gross and Mark Gross, he is out of the Unusual Heat mare, Q T Shae.

Tiger Dad’s victory was the second on the card for Smiling Tiger. Smiling Spirit also rode the eight path through the stretch to victory in the 3rd race, a five and one-half furlong allowance over the main track.

The 7-year-old mare tracked the leaders down the backstretch and around the turn. Fanned out wide, she closed strongly, took the lead and opened up to win by two lengths.

Smiling Spirit races for Cameron Simpson McVay and she is trained by Shannon Simpson. Bred by Dennis Gellermand, Mersad Metanovic and Trevor Lottes, she is out of the Bertrando mare, Spiritwalker.