LOS ALAMITOS, CA—NOVEMBER 29, 2019—Legacy Ranch LLC's Mister Appolitical put on a show in the third of four trials to the Grade 2, $168,700 Southern California Derby, as he led big the entire way in route to posting the fastest qualifying time on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

Thirty sophomores competed in the 400-yard trials with the horses with the 10 fastest times moving on to the final on Friday, December 13.

Piloted by Jesus Rios Ayala for trainer Terry Knight, Mister Appolitical led by 1-½ lengths shortly after the start, while facing a field that included the outstanding Chocolatito. In their last meeting, Mister Appolitical finished a nose ahead of Chocolatito to win the Grade 3 PCQHRA Breeders Derby.

This time around, a photo finish was not needed, as the son of leading sire Apollitical Jess led by as much as two lengths before crossing the finish line 1 ½ lengths ahead of Chocolatito. In his winning his seventh race in 12 starts, Mister Appolitical covered the 400 yards in :19.677.

"He's been real consistent," Knight said. "He's had a real good year. He's done really well. When I'm not down here, the (team) keeps telling me how good he's doing and how he just keeps improving. You have to give them the credit for their work. It's been fun. 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 is at (form-wise). Two weeks a quick turn-around. Some of them do it, some of them don't. Hopefully he bounces back. He ran a big race tonight, but hopefully he didn't do a little too much."

Bred by Legacy Ranch, Mister Appolitical finished fourth in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby in early February after running in both the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity and Ed Burke Million Futurity last year.

Lupe Ayon's homebred filly Galloping Goddess posted the second fastest time of :19.786, while scoring his third win 13 starts. Earlier this year, the daughter of multiple stakes sire One Sweet Jess qualified to the Governor's Cup Derby.

"You wish for this experience," said Ayon, who currently resides in San Fernando. "It's a thrilling experience to have this type of filly. As a breeder, you hope you get one of these We've been fortunate. I've always had a passion for (Quarter Horse racing). I've been coming out to Los Alamitos since I was eight and always said that I would own (a horse) one day. Now I own one. The difficult part is to compete with top breeders, top owners and top horses. It's not easy. You have to have a little luck. You have to study the breed, but it's always good to have some luck. It helps out. We were hoping for this race from Galloping Goddess. The gate is her problem, but she's getting it and is maturing with each start."

Ruth Barbour, Colten O'Dell and Wendy O'Dell's Tac Me Up finished with the third fastest time of :19.795. The son of Kiddy Up finished strongly in this race to score a neck victory.

Howard Nichols' Corona Cartel gelding, Dexxter, delivered the fourth fastest time of :19.813 after winning the final trial by ¾ lengths over Symbol Of Faith.

"He got sick back in July so we had to skip the Golden State Derby," Nichols said. "(Trainer) Jaime Gomez has him back in top form and hopefully we'll do well in two weeks. He's paid his way and has done well. His mother (Grade 2 Charger Bar Handicap winner Tres Of Linda) ran at Los Alamitos and did well. With Corona Cartel as his sire we felt he had a chance to do well. He's had his good races, but it all starts back at the gate. When horses do well there, they usually do well. We'll see what happens in a couple of weeks in the final."

For the complete list of Southern California Derby qualifiers, their times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.