Meer Kat Makes Dirt Debut in Turf Paradise Derby

MEER KAT (Ire) (Red Ransom), who rallied for third in the grassy Generous S. (G3) in his juvenile finale, will make his first start on dirt in Saturday's $100,000 Turf Paradise Derby. The Craig Dollase trainee will face seven challengers in the 1 1/16-mile test, including top local contender EZ DREAMER (In Excess [Ire]), who rolled to a 9 3/4-length score in the one-mile Rattlesnake S. on January 20, and NIKKI'SGOLDENSTEED (Formal Gold), an impressive maiden winner at Santa Anita in his last start. On race earlier, PURE AND SIMPLE (Trippi), BITTERBUTSWEET (Lemon Drop Kid) and LA MISMA (Doneraile Court), the top three finishers from the Sun Devil S. on January 19, return in the $75,000 Arizona Oaks. They will be challenged by a trio of Southern California shippers, including multiple stakes winner LA MINA (Mineshaft), first-out winner BRIECAT (Adcat) and the promising maiden RAREVILLE (Petionville).