LOS ALAMITOS, CA—OCTOBER 5, 2018—Mario Hurtado's Love To Reason BR won her Los Alamitos debut in style, holding off eight rivals to win the $25,000 Blane Schvaneveldt Handicap on Friday at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Jose Nicasio for trainer Monty Arrossa, the 5-year-old mare took the lead shortly after the start and pulled away from the rest with each stride. Ridden by Jose Nicasio, Love To Reason BR covered the 400 yards in :19.985 on the way to earnings $13,750 for the win.

"I trained her as a 2-year-old," Arrossa said. "She was turned out, then ran a little bit as a 3-year-old and then was turned out again. They brought her back this year and had done well in the Northwest. She actually dominated. She had a little bit of bad luck. They sent her down here and we worked her once. We turned her and worked her. She worked great. She likes to win races. She's got a big heart. I'm proud of her. When I saw the nominations I was worried about even getting in the race. There were some really nice horses. I knew we had an uphill climb. This was her first out under the lights and I wasn't sure how she would run. I knew she has a lot of class. Jose Nicasio has worked her in the mornings and he had a lot of confidence in her."

Love To Reason BR arrived at Los Alamitos having crossed the wire first in her previous three starts, but she was disqualified from two of those first place finishes due to the use of the inflammatory meloxicam. For her career, she's won four of 16 starts and has now earned $39,249. Love To Reason BR is the champion Good Reason SA and out of the Grade 1 winning mare Strength In Numbers. She was bred by Benny Rosset.

For Arrossa, this marked his second victory in the Schvaneveldt Handicap after winning the 2016 race with Zoomin For Spuds. The gelding would go on to win the Champion of Champions later in the year.

"I don't know where we'll go with Love To Reason BR next," Arrossa said. "We'll see how she comes back, but we'll definitely keep her at Los Alamitos."

Arrossa also saddle the runner-up, SP Four Square for owner Jess Udy. The Favorite Cartel gelding came into this race after winning back-to-back stakes races in the Intermountain region. He earned $5,625 for running second.

Joe Legacy, Jess A Cowboy, Koris Knud Chick, Vvr Dazzling Corona, Corona B Gone, Poutn On The Wagon, and Oh La completed the field.

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.