LOS ALAMITOS, CA—AUGUST 12, 2018—Johnny Trotter's One Sweet Racy scored the first stakes victory of her racing career after holding off Turner Farms' One Hot Habit by a neck in the $24,480 AQHA California Regional Distaff Challenge on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

As the top two finishers in this race, One Sweet Racy and One Hot Habit both earned berths to run in the Grade 1 AQHA Distaff Challenge final to be held at Los Alamitos on Saturday, November 17.

This was a sweet victory for One Sweet Racy, whose career record has included runner-up efforts in the Grade 1 All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs last year and in the Decketta Stakes at Remington Park on March 31. She also finished third in the Junos Request at Remington Park before Trotter shipped her to the barn of trainer Chris O'Dell at Los Alamitos.

In her first start under O'Dell's care, One Sweet Racy posted a daylight win against allowance horses on July 6. She made it two wins in as many starts here with her effort in the California Distaff.

"I've had her for a couple of months now," O'Dell said. "She's two for two. We couldn't be happier. I'm just happy to get this win for Mr. Johnny Trotter. I'm super glad that he trusted me enough to send me a mare of this quality. She's easy to work with and she's acclimated to California really well. She ran second in (the 2017) All American Derby and showed a lot of run there. She's done nothing but hook tough horse during her whole career. She's proven herself, but she's been unlucky not to win some of those big races. We're hoping that maybe she's on track now."

Ridden by Eduardo Nicasio, One Sweet Racy broke sharply from the outside post seven and worked hard to get past early leader Duck Dash N Go.

"We learned a little something about One Sweet Racy tonight," O'Dell said. "One Sweet Racy was running hard until she got by (Duck Dash N Go). She then kind of pricked her ears a little and slowed down a little bit. I thought that maybe Cody Jensen (on One Hot Habit) had beat us for a second there. She likes a little competition. She couldn't see One Hot Habit, who was racing from the two hole. It's a big relief to get this win with One Sweet Racy. I'm very happy."

One Sweet Racy covered the 400 yards in :19.689 while improving to three wins in 15 starts. A top three finisher in 11 of those outings, the Sunflower Supply Company-bred mare earned $11,995 for this win. She's now bankrolled $303,173 in her career. Up next for One Sweet Racy is another important Grade 1 test.

"It's the Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap for sure," O'Dell said. "I'll have a couple of mares in that race and I'd love to win it again. That's a nice race to win. We love it here in California. There are a lot of nice races to go after. This is the place to be."

O'Dell won the Mildred Vessels in 2009 with Terrific Energy. In addition to One Sweet Racy, O'Dell also figures to send out Terrific Energy's daughter, Thermonucler Energy, in the Mildred Vessels on September 23. Other top mares expected to race include Grade 1 Charger Bar Handicap winner Kiddy Up Cowgirl and stakes winner Jess Hawk.

With Jensen up for trainer Paul Jones, One Hot Habit earned $5,141 for her runner-up effort. A Ruidoso Derby finalist in 2017, the Walk Thru Fire mare was bred by Vessels Stallion Farm.

Monty Arrossa saddled third-place finisher Duck Dash N Go, a daughter of Coronas Fast Dash, for owner Vicente Treyes.

Precious Dominique, Maggie Durant, Staggering Stride, and Start Somethin Bad completed the field.

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Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.