Bp Cartel Policy, under jockey Armando Cervantes, dominated the $35,000 Dillingham Handicap for 3-year-olds on Saturday night at Los Alamitos Race Course.

© Amber Mendez

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–MAY 11, 2024–After improving his record to a perfect three-for-three this season, Bill Price's homebred BP Cartel Policy is looking more and more like the top sophomore at Los Alamitos in 2024.

After winning trial to the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby in the fastest qualifying time and then winning the final by ¾ lengths, BP Cartel Policy dominated the $35,000 Dillingham Handicap for 3-year-olds on Saturday night.

The Favorite Cartel gelding out of Cc Policy, by Corona Cartel, was fast out of the gate from post five, took control at about 150 yards into the 400-yard dash and from there he cruised to a super easy 2 ½ length victory in a time of :19.71. All three of his victories this season have come at 400 yards at Los Alamitos. 

"He's really developed into a super nice horse," said winning trainer Monty Arrossa. "I need to thank his groom, William Lara. He's done a super job with the horse. We cut the horse at the end of last year. We have to thank Bill Price. He had a lot of faith in my recommendation. It's tough to geld those good horses. He did it and it really helped this horse. William and my assistant, Jessie Castillo, and Alvaro Diaz, our foreman, they've done a great job with him. (Jockey) Armando Cervantes also really fits the horse."

Winning trainer Monty Arrossa and jockey Armando Cervantes accept the Dillingham Handicap stakes trophy.
© Amber Mendez

As the field awaited the start of the Dillingham, one of the horses to the inside of the 1-5 favorite BP Cartel Policy.

"There was a lot of commotion, and our horse false started a bit," Arrossa said. "The horse handled it well.

After beginning his career with one win from his first seven starts, BP Cartel Policy has now won four of his 10 outings. He earned $19,250 in the Dillingham to take his lifetime bankroll to $188,266.

Parsons Ranch's Kvn Crona colt, Kevins Wise Corona, earned $7,875 for running second, while CD Horses' CD Docs Candidata, by Docs Best Card, finished third.

Jo Lee and Winners Share completed the field.

Ready For It, who ran second to BP Cartel Policy in the Winter Derby, was a stakes scratch before the start of the Saturday racing program. 

BP Cartel Policy will now take some time off according to Arrossa before starting preparations for the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Super Derby trials in October.

"Our ultimate goal is the Super Derby and possibly some handicaps between now and the Super Derby," Arrossa continued. "We don't really want to over do it. The horse is real sound. A wise lady once told me that a horse only has so many outs. We'll be selective about where we go next. He had a nice break after the Winter Derby and this race set up well for him. We're going to let him tell us how we go forward."

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For more info' please contact larace@losalamitos.com. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @losalracing or visit us online at www.losalamitos.com.