Zynda Racing’s homebred Cape Blanco dominated in the opening trial, surging to a half-length victory to easily secure the fastest qualifying time of the night.

© William Zuazo

By Orlando Gutierrez

CYPRESS, CA–JULY 18, 2026– Zynda Racing’s Cape Blanco and Kidd Ranch’s KR Candy Dragon made sure that girl power was at the forefront of the trials to the John Deere California Juvenile Challenge, as both fillies posted clear victories in their respective 350-yard trials to the August 8 final to be held here at Los Alamitos.

Zynda Racing’s homebred Cape Blanco dominated in the opening trial, surging to a half-length victory from post number three and stopping the clock in :18.083 to easily secure the fastest qualifying time of the night. Ridden by Justine Klaiber, the sorrel Oklahoma-bred filly by Kiss My Hocks out of Best of You led with authority from the opening bell while scoring her first victory in four starts.

The victory marked a milestone night for trainer Jaime Gomez, one of the longest-tenured conditioners at Los Alamitos. It was his 1,460th career Quarter Horse victory at the track, tying him with Charles Treece for fifth place on the all-time wins list a the Orange County oval

"I've been at Los Alamitos since the late 1970s as a groom," Gomez recalled. "I've had a lot of good times and good horses over the years... it's great to have nice horses like Cape Blanco. She just came to my barn. She's been good."

Cape Blanco spearheaded a dominant night for Gomez, as his stable qualified a total of three horses for the August 8 showcase, including third-fastest qualifier Uncle Drizzle Fashizl and tenth-fastest Cowboy Crush Bb.

Securing the second fastest qualifying spot was J. Francisco Diaz’s Texas Cowgirl 123, who hit the wire in a sharp :18.149 after chasing Cape Blanco. The talented filly is trained by Lindolfo Diaz, who is currently riding a wave of high-profile success after winning the prestigious Ed Burke Memorial Futurity last month with Cv Fdddinasty Shan. Diaz will now look to carry that momentum into August and add another major juvenile trophy to his mantle with this promising runner.

KR Candy Dragon Ignites the Second Heat

In the evening's second trial, Kidd Ranch's homebred KR Candy Dragon delivered a strong performance of her own. Guided by Martin Arriaga for trainer Juan Aleman, the gray Colorado-bred filly by Jess Good Candy out of Kr Dragonfly bumped twice early before fighting her way to a half-length score in :18.341.

KR Candy Dragon comes from exceptional stock; her dam, Kr Dragonfly, was a seven-time winner of $158,607, highlighted by a victory in the Grade 3 Lubbock Stakes. The victory positions her connections for another special moment in the AQHA Challenge Championship series, following their 2018 success with KR Hi Five, who won the Grade 2 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship and the Wild West Futurity at Los Alamitos. KR Hi Five would go on to win the Adequan California Derby Challenge here the following year. Aleman’s barn will be doubly represented in the final, as he also qualified seventh-fastest finisher Kr Apollitical Run (:18.470) for Kidd Ranch.

In addition to Gomez and Aleman, two other conditioners secured multiple spots in the top ten to set up a strong final:

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