LOS ALAMITOS, CA—FEBRUARY 23, 2019—Many of the top 3-year-old colts and geldings at Los Alamitos Race Course have started preparing for what is shaping up to be a great night of trials to the El Primero Del Año Derby to be held on Sunday, March 10.

A total of 39 sophomore boys remain eligible for the trials and it is a talented cast. Here's a brief look at some of the big names eyeing the 400-yard trials.

Ali Babe Foose - The runner-up to AQHA champion Flash And Roll in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity, the Foose gelding worked 220 yards in a :12.20 on Feb. 19 and in :12.30 on Jan. 29. In the Two Million trials, he posted the fastest qualifying time to the final while scoring a 3 1/2 length victory. He's a half-brother to Grade 1 winners Little Talks and Rock You and stakes winner Fly Thru The Fire.

Apollitical Pence - One of only two juveniles who competed in all three Grade 1 million dollar futurities at Los Alamitos in 2018. He was third in the Golden State Million and fifth in the Two Million, while also racing in the Ed burke Million. He looked sharp when working 12 flat from the gate on February 19.

Bail Czech - Talented son of Corona Czech finished third in Holiday Handicap to close out his 2-year-old season before crossing the wire first in the Los Alamitos Winter Derby, but was disqualified and placed fifth due to interference. He returned to win an allowance race on February 9.

Chocolatito - A winner on September 21, he returned to finish second to Seaduction in a trial to the Golden State Million Futurity, finishing ahead of Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity winner Wave Her Down and Los Alamitos Maiden Stakes winner Apollitical Flying. The cot by Favorite Cartel has yet to post an official work in 2019.

Corona By Corona - Won the Holiday Handicap over Bail Czech on December 29 and then returned to finish third in allowance test on February 9. The son of Corona Cartel won his trial to the Golden State Million over a field that included Governor's Cup Futurity runner-up Favorite Wise Lady.

Dexxter - A two-time Grade 1 futurity finalist last year, this gelding has posted a pair of 220 yards works - a :12.30 on February 19 and a :12.6 on January 19. His dam is Tres Of Linda, the winner of the 2013 Charger Bar Handicap plus two other stakes at Los Alamitos. He won his trial heat when qualifying to the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity and also the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity.

I Like My Chances - Runner-up to Singles Cruise in a trial to the Los Alamitos Winter Derby last month. He advanced to the Grade 1 derby off of that effort and finished seventh in the Feb. 9 final.

KR Hi Five - A winner of the Grade 2 John Deere Juvenile Challenge and the Wild West Futurity at Los Alamitos last fall, the son of Five Bar Cartel has finished fifth in his last two starts. His most recent work came on January 1 when he worked 220 yards in :12.40.

Parsons Rocket - Posted the fastest qualifying time to the Governor's Cup Futurity before running sixth in the final to Powerful Favorite. A two-time winner, he's been out of the money in his last four outings.

Powerful Favorite - Posted a tremendous win in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby and won the Governor's Cup Futurity last year. He also qualified to all three Grade 1 million dollar futurity at Los Alamitos last year. If he participates in the trials, he's the marquee horse.

Red Hawk Cartel - Finished second to Powerful Favorite in the trials to the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby and was fifth in the Grade 2 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity. Won the California Breeders Freshman Stakes last July. Like many of the Martha Wells-owned homebreds, this talented runner is getting better with experience.

Tac Me Up - A four-time winner in 2018, he worked 350 yards from the gate in :18.10 on February 19.After winning the Autumn Handicap, he was second in the Stotz Equipment Stakes last November. He qualified to both the Grade 2 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity and Governor's Cup Futurity.

Transcend - Walk Thru Fire gelding qualified to the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. Finished in the top four in all eight of his career starts, all of them coming against top level foes. Won his Two Million trial and ran second in his PCQHRA Breeders Futurity trial.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.