LOS ALAMITOS, CA—OCTOBER 4, 2017—Larry Stark’s Jess A Cowboy enjoyed his second stakes victory in as many starts after posting an easy length victory in the $20,000 Blane Schvaneveldt Handicap on Friday at Los Alamitos.

Trained by Matt Fales, Jess A Cowboy had previously won the He Flys Handicap on September 8, a race that gave his trainer his first stakes win at Los Alamitos. It was perhaps fitting that Fales’ first big win at the Orange County oval came with the Dejon gelding. After all, Jess A Cowboy has been masterful in stakes races over his career, having won five of them at Turf Paradise in Arizona, all of the for Fales.

On Friday night, Jess A Cowboy looked like a horse capable of adding a few more stakes victories to his name. With Cruz Mendez aboard, the Larry and Phyllis Stark-bred runner was second at the start after leaving from post number one, but quickly took the lead and never looked back. He was a half-length ahead of the competition with about 110 yards left in the 400-yard race before crossing the finish line a length ahead of Joseph Ward’s Elko County Fair Stakes winner Jess A Lil Fishy.

"Jess A Cowboy is in rhythm right now," Fales said. "He’s adapted well to the track. We’ve been running him in good races where he can be competitive. That was a big performance from the one hole. I was really nervous about this race. His resume continues to grow. He’s been a dream to train throughout his whole career. He has an owner who is really smart and has manages the horse very well. We try to be genuine and kind to the horse and he repays us every time. I’ve been training for Mr. Starks for about five years, but our families have been life-long friends. His wife, Phyllis, she’s awesome as well. I’m blessed to be part of their family.

Jess A Cowboy earned $$11,000 for the win to takes his career earnings to $166,858. This was his ninth victory in 24 lifetime starts.

Trained by Chris O’Dell, Jess A Lil Fishy, a daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess, earned $4,500 for running second to take her career earnings to $25,459.

Racing for Tim Holdaway and saddled by Monty Arrossa, Justified earned $2,500 for running third. He is a Foose colt.

Wilmas Alright Now and Show Me Bofum completed the field. Block N Tackle was scratched.