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© Scott Martinez
LOS ALAMITOS, CA—AUGUST 18, 2016— EG High Desert Farms will look to score its second major derby win at Los Alamitos in less than a month when the racing operation is represented by talented fillies Jess Ravin, owner of the fastest qualifying time, and AQHA Racing champion 2-year-old filly Walk Thru Crystal in Sunday’s $203,200 Golden State Derby.
EG High Desert Farms won the Governor’s Cup Derby thanks to the 36-1 longshot Unclaimed Dividend on July 30. However, Jess Ravin and Walk Thru Crystal definitely figure to be among the favorites in Sunday’s Golden State, which is contested at 400 yards. Trainer Yanet Rodriguez, who saddled Unclaimed Dividend, can’t wait to see Jess Ravin and Walk thru Crystal perform in the Golden State final.
Jess Ravin will start from post number seven and will be ridden by Jesus Rios Ayala. The Corona Cartel filly has won four of six races this season and in addition to the Vandy’s Flash, she also won the La Pacifica Handicap and was second in the La Primera Del Ano Derby. She’ll be looking for her fourth victory in a row.
Ramon Sanchez gets the call aboard Walk Thru Crystal and the pair will leave the gate right next to Jess Ravin from post number six. The daughter of Walk Thru Fire was the nation’s top filly last year after winning the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity and also winning the Grade 2 Kindergarten Futurity. She competed in the three futurities with million dollar purses held at Los Alamitos last year. She’s finished second in her two starts this year, both at the Orange County oval.
Meanwhile, the top male sophomore in the field appears to be Urschel 3-D Ranch LLC’s Rite Regal, as he’ll come into this event on a three race win streak that includes the $210,000 El Primero Del Ano Derby. A winner of seven of 11 starts, Rite Regal also won an allowance test on July 3 and – in his most recent outing – a trial to the Golden State Derby.
“He’s becoming more professional with each race,” trainer Jose Flores said. “He’s becoming more of a racehorse. He’s fast and the talent is all there. He just has to put it together.”
Cruz Mendez will ride the Favorite Cartel gelding from post number four.
Steve Burns and Mike Casselman’s Militarist finished with the second fastest qualifying time after running second to Jess Ravin in the trials on August 7. His strong effort came just one week after finishing out of the money in the Adequan California Derby trials on July 31.
“He ran a nice race in the trials,” trainer Mike Casselman said. “He’s not an easy horse to ride. We were happy with the way he came back and ran in the Golden State trials.”
The field from the rail out is as follows: Sale Topper, Senor Gianni, Free Swinger, Rite Regal, Militarist, Walk Thru Crystal, Jess Ravin, Peacefull Delight, Go Black Benny and Much Better Reason.
Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.