LOS ALAMITOS, CA—FEBRUARY 18, 2021—The top aged California-bred mares on the grounds get one more major stakes opportunity before many of them head to the breeding shed when they face off in the $35,000 Denim N Diamonds Handicap on Saturday night at Los Alamitos.

A lineup of nine mares aged four and up will be in action in the Denim N Diamonds to be held at 400 yards. The field will be headed by Kiss Thru Fire and Tequila Sangria, who are the last two winners of the Grade 1 Charger Bar Handicap for distaffers.

Owned by Gentry Farms and trained by Juan Aleman, Kiss Thru Fire won the Charger Bar earlier this year after running second in the Grade 2 Southern California Derby on closing night of the 2020 meet on December 20. The daughter of Walk Thru Fire was one of the nation’s top sophomore fillies last season, as she also finished second in the All American Oaks and qualified to the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Super Derby. After testing her mettle in some of the nation’s top races for 3-year-olds, Kiss Thru Fire confidently handled her foes in the Charger Bar, taking the lead shortly after the start and then going on to win the $100,000 race by a half-length. Raul Valenzuela, who piloted her to victory in the Charger Bar retains the mount aboard Kiss Thru Fire in the Denim N Diamonds.

Dr. Steve Burns’ Tequila Sangria won the Charger Bar last year by a 1/2 length, but she’s finished out of the money in her last two outings including a 10th when trying to defend her Charger Bar title. In her defense, the daughter of leading sire Favorite Cartel never had a chance after getting bumped repeatedly. 

Two-time stakes runner-up Fayvorite Chick will head the rest of the field that also includes 2020 Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap runner-up Victorioso Dinastia, California Breeders Debutante Stakes winner All Prettied Up, allowance winners Wambui and Look Of Love MV, plus Royaltys Molly and Gray Invader.

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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.