LOS ALAMITOS, CA—APRIL 9, 2017—Paul Jones and Thompson Racing's homebred filly Summertime Favorite and Davidson, Cannon, et al's gelding Wild Wonder came into their racing debuts with big expectations and they did not disappoint after posting impressive victories on Sunday night at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Ramon Sanchez, Summertime Favorite was outstanding in her first start, as the 2-year-old by Favorite Cartel crushed her rival fillies while always on the lead when posting a 2-½ length victory in the 300-yard dash. A half-sister to champion millionaire Foose and a full sister to multiple stakes winner Flay, Summertime Favorite covered the distance in :15.564, the fastest time posted by a 2-year-old so far this meet.

Summertime Favorite was the darling of morning works, as she recorded the meet's first :12 flat 220-yard gate work back on March 25. In her first qualifying gate work, she posted a strong :12.30 drill, which was the morning's fastest of 48 drills on March 11.

"We liked her at the ranch when she was young," co-owner Terry Thompson said. "We got her to the track and we had some expectations. She worked the first time in :12.30 and that was awesome. She came back and worked in 12 flat and it was kind of two-fold deal. They work 12 flat and you hope that they come back and stay safe and free of injury. She broke in probably around 2-3 lengths and Ramon Sanchez was tapping her a few times to keep her off that rail and then he slowed her and geared her down to the wire. She probably could have gone in the elevens (in her workout time), which I didn't want to see. We're pleased with the workout she had. She's come back sound and she's just a great filly."

After her brilliant maiden win, Summertime Favorite will be one of the headliners in the trials to the Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity to be held on Sunday, April 30.

"She's a lot of fun and a pleasure to have," Thompson added. "This is a maiden win so you have to take it for what it is. Hopefully the Kindergarten Futurity trials she can come back and have the same type of outing and stay safe and healthy."

Trained by Charles Treece and ridden by Roberto Hernandez, the Stel Corona gelding Wild Wonder finished strongly to score a 1-¼ length win against six boys in a time of :15.569. Like Summertime Favorite, Wild Wonder had been a workout star, drilling in :12.50 in his first gate work before coming back with a very professional :12.10 drill, the fastest of 40 works on March 18.

"He's been easy to train and everything has gone well," Treece said. "We went up to Ed Allred's ranch (last year) and he let us looked at them. We bought him here at the sale and you can't beat that. He was a little tough when we first started breaking him. He had a lot of fire, but he came around once we started working with the starting gate. He enjoys training and he knows his job. Ever since we started qualifying he's been easy to work with. We'll give him some time off. He's in the Ed Burke Million Futurity trials. We'll aim for that, give him a little rest and get him there healthy."

The Ed Burke Million Futurity trials will be held on Sunday, June 4.

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.