LOS ALAMITOS, CA—AUGUST 28, 2020—Lucky Seven Ranch’s Sass Mo Blue is now three for three when racing at 350 yards this season, his latest victory at the distance coming in the $25,000 Sgt Pepper Feature Handicap on Saturday at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Oscar Peinado for trainer Mike Casselman, Sass Mo Blue left the gate sharply and a few strides into the race he found himself on even terms with Mimi Wells’ Fayvorite Chick.

The two continued fighting for the lead but Sass Mo Blue eventually moved to the front and maintained the advantage to win for the third time in 10 career starts. The gelding by Apollitical Jess covered the distance in :17.697 while earning $13,750 for the win. He has now earned $77,191 in his career.

"He likes this distance," Casselman said. "He stumbled a little bit away from there. I’m glad that (owner) Russell Stooks (of Lucky Seven Ranch) gave us the opportunity to race the horse tonight. This was a nice victory."

Sass Mo Blue came into this race after a troubled seventh place finish to Circle City in the Grade 2 Golden State Derby winner on August 16. Earlier this year, the homebred runner showed a ton of ability when winning his trial to the Los Alamitos Maiden Stakes and then scoring a neck victory in the $109,500 final.

"He kind of got himself left in the Golden State Derby final," Casselman added. "We can now start to get him ready for another race here now."

Sass Mo Blue is eligible to race in the trials to the Los Alamitos Super Derby to be held on October 17. In the meantime, Sass Mo Blue serves as the latest example of success achieved by winners of the Los Alamitos Maiden Stakes. He joins the likes of Grade 1 winner LDS Dash For Dylan and multiple stakes winner Royal Proclamation as horses that went from maidens to major stakes winners after taking advantage of the opportunity in the Maiden Stakes.

Ridden by Juan Pablo Leon for trainer Matt Fales, Fayvorite Chick earned $5,625 for finishing second. Salvador Flores’ Mister Tornado, who won the Adequan Los Alamitos Derby Challenge earlier this year, finished third and was followed by Debutante Stakes winner All Prettied Up and recent high-level claiming winner Wrong Impression.

Doctor Gene was scratched prior to the start of Saturday’s racing program.

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Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.