LOS ALAMITOS, CA--FEBRUARY 18, 2018--Denny and Sandy Weigt have raced some talented Quarter Horses over the years. A few years ago, the Weigt's raced a filly named Illtacmanhattan, who went seven for seven in her racing career, including wins in the Beehive Futurity and Bitterroot Futurity in 2011.

Bannister is another one of the Weigt's top winners. The Maknmoves gelding won the Beehive Futurity and Wild West Futurity in 2016 and the James Smith Memorial Handicap in 2017.

Add the name of Missmerizing to the list of special horses owned by the Weigts following the filly's 19-1 upset victory in the $107,500 Los Alamitos Maiden Stakes on Sunday night. Ridden by Jose Nicasio for trainer Monty Arrossa, who also conditioned Illtacmanhattan and Bannister, the daughter of Pyc Paint Your Wagon outdueled David Miller and Edward and Theresa DeNike's Power Thinker by a head to post her first ever win in 12 career starts.

Missmerizing was a true maiden going into the Maiden Stakes final, but she's always shown talent and ability. From her first 11 starts, the Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches-bred filly had posted six runner-up efforts.

She was second in her Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity and seventh to Fire And Sass in the Kindergarten final. She was also third to SC Vapor Trails in the $44,000 John Deere California Juvenile Challenge final. She may not have won a race until the Maiden Stakes, but Missmerizing had it in her to come up a winner in a big race. Missmerizing covered the 350-yard distance in the Maiden Stakes in a sharp :17.733.

"She's been really consistent," Arrossa said. "She qualified to the Kindergarten final and was third in the John Deere California Juvenile last year. I told my friend today, 'I'd love it if she run second,' in the Maiden Stakes. (To win) is a thrill. She came out of the (Maiden) trials super. We trained her a little different. We changed a few things with her. We freshened her up a little bit. She's not a big filly and seemed to be going about 300 yards and not getting that last 50 yards. We backed up a little bit and ponied her. We just went really easy with her.

"I want to thank Jose Nicasio," Arrossa continued. "He did a nice job riding her. Juan Gomez is her groom and he just loves this filly. He takes good care of her. She's a nice filly. She's sound. I'm happy to win for good people like Denny and Sandy Weigt. Our whole team here have been instrumental in helping her get this done."

Missmerizing earned $45,150 for her Maiden Stakes win, nearly double her earning from her previous 11 starts. Out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Licence To Thrill, Missmerizing has now earned $70,350 in her racing career. All and all, it was a good night for longtime friends Arrossa and the Weigts of Jerome, Idaho.

"Denny is at home in Jerome watching the race on TVG," Arrossa added. "I just talked to him on the phone and they're super excited and definitely thrilled. I've had a long history with Denny and Sandy. I've known them all of my life. We started off as chariot racers and they had some horses and brought some colts to the chariots. They were actually my first clients (in horse racing). They got me started training. He called me one day and said I want you to train horses. From there we started buying some colts at sales. I've trained for them for a long time. I've had a lot of stakes horses for them. They're family. Denny has raised horses his entire life. He's had a couple of stallions and has had really nice broodmares. I don't know why they gave me the chance, but I'm so thankful and blessed." Missmerizing now figures to enjoy a little R & R according to Arrossa.

"We'll probably give her a rest," said the trainer. "She's been going pretty consistent over the last year. I don't know what we'll do next."

Ridden by Rodrigo Aceves for trainer Patricia Visscher, Power Thinker earned $18,275 for his runner-up effort. Bred by the DeNikes, The Walk Thru Fire gelding has found his form over the past two months. The Washington-bred broke his maiden by a half-length on December 29 and then won his Maiden Stakes trial on January 28. His second place finish in this race adds another fine race to his resume.

Lucky Seven Ranch's homebred Devil In A Blue Suit dueled for the lead the entire way and posted a solid third place finish. The Tempting Dash gelding earned $12,900 for his effort. Cesar Gomez piloted the Mike Casselman-trained runner.

Apollitical Heart, Eyes The Favorite, RF Might Be A Hero, Alamode, AR Royal Blue, and Firey Colt completed the field. Fury Of Innocence was scratched.

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.