LOS ALAMITOS, CA— August 23, 2014—Jose C. De La Torre has campaigned Quarter Horse for over 20 years, but his most important victory to date came courtesy of Too Cool To Rule in Saturday’s $16,650 Zoetis California Starter Allowance Challenge at Los Alamitos.

Trained by Eloy Navarro, the 4-year-old mare by First Prize Perry earned a berth to the $75,000 Zoetis Starter Allowance Challenge to be held at Prairie Meadows, Iowa on October 18.

“I’m looking forward to going to Iowa,” De La Torre said. “I’ve had horses a long time and to have this victory is special for me. I’m from Zacatecas, Mexico and I would race horse in match races because that’s all we had there. I have about six horses racing here and I enjoy the sport a lot.”

Ridden by Rodrigo Aceves, Too Cool To Rule was making her first start for De La Torre and Navarro after being claimed for $5,000 on June 27. In her first start for her new connections, the Vessels Stallion Farm-bred runner covered the 350 yards in :17.600, while defeating Hez Stellar by a head. This was her sixth win in 17 career starts. She earned $8,325 for her Zoetis California victory.

Martha Wells’ Hez Stellar, fresh off a victory in the California Breeders Senior $5,000 Claiming Stakes, earned $3,580 for her strong effort for trainer Paul Jones and jockey Ramon Sanchez. Hesmore To Check, Stel Heights, Lotsa Boots and Hawktaflyer completed the field.

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.