Preview Racing


Southern California Derby Kicks Off Closing Week On Friday Night
Fastest qualifier Mr Appolitical will head a full field in the Grade 2, $168,700 Southern California Derby on Friday at Los Alamitos..

© Scott Martinez
Southern California Derby Kicks Off Closing Week On Friday Night

LOS ALAMITOS, CA—DECEMBER 11, 2019—Legacy Ranch LLC’s homebred Mister Appolitical is finishing out his sophomore campaign in exceptional form. The son of champion Apollitical Jess has won his last three starts - all in splendid fashion - and now looms the favorite to win the Grade 2, $168,700 Southern California Derby on Friday at Los Alamitos.

Eight races are on tap with first post set for 7 p.m. (PST).

To be ridden by Jesus Rios Ayala for trainer Terry Knight from post nine, Mister Appolitical began his win streak with a 1-¼ length win in the trials to the PCQHRA Breeders Derby. He came back to post a nose victory after ducking it out with the talented Chocolatito from start to finish in the 400-yard race. Mister Appolitical's last victory was his best, as he flew out of the gate on the way to a dominant 1-½ length victory when posting the fastest qualifying time to the Southern California Derby.

"He’s been real consistent," Knight said. "He’s had a real good year. He just shows up all the time. His asset is his gate speed. When he is able to get away like that, he’s a tough horse to run down. We just hope we can keep him where he's at (form-wise). Two weeks a quick turn-around. Some of them do it, some of them don’t. Hopefully he does."

Owned and bred by Lupe Ayon, Galloping Goddess has been outstanding in her last two outings. She scored a 1-¼ length allowance victory on November 3 before returning with a ½ length win in her derby trial. Jairo Rangel will pick up the mount on the One Sweet Jess filly, who'll start from the outside post 10.

Jose Nicasio, who rode Galloping Goddess and Dexxter to trial victories on November 29, will stay on Howard Nichol's Dexxter in the final. The Corona Cartel gelding was a 3/4 length winner on that night for trainer Jaime Gomez.

Tac Me Up, Chocolatito, Red Hawk Cartel, and Symbol Of Faith, all derby placed runners this year, will be joined by Weber Downs Utah Derby winner Corona By Corona, Jess Flashee, and Jess Send It to complete the field.

Fine Friday Evening Night Card on Tap

A strong card is set for Friday night as the average field size is a solid 8 horses per race. The Late Pick Four is particularly strong, as the all Quarter Horse sequence features fields of 8,7,9 and 10 horses with the 10-horse field Southern California Derby closing out what should be a tremendous final four.

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Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.