Train B Taka headlines the Vandy's Flash on Saturday at Los Alamitos.

© Los Alamitos

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–JUNE 19, 2025–After a thriller of a race between Train B Taka and Kid Cocinero when they finished 1-2 in the Dillingham Handicap on May 10, the two will meet again in the running of the $25,000 Vandy’s Flash Handicap on Saturday at Los Alamitos.

The Dillingham was contested at 400 yards, and Train B Taka needed every inch of that distance to catch the flashy Paint Horse Kid Cocinero to score the second stakes win of his Los Alamitos career. Owned by Cheryl Stokes, Armando Arreola, and Tungsten Racing Partnership, Train B Taka has been ultra-consistent throughout his career, finishing third or better in all but one of his 11 career outings.

At the Orange County oval, the son of Freighttrain B hit the board in all seven of his starts here. He won the Holiday Handicap in his final juvenile start on December 28 while also running second in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby and then third in the Grade 2 El Primero. He’ll be going after his sixth victory here. Edwin Escobedo will be aboard the Marc Jungers trainee.

Owned by Sandra Less Ambus, the Paint by CRM Livewire has been a revelation at Los Alamitos. He won his debut against allowance foes on April 5 and flew out of the gate early before being on the short end of the photo finish in the Dillingham. Cesar Franco will ride for trainer Angela Aquino.

Reliance Ranches LLC’s Holmybeeranwatchthis won the James Smith Handicap on April 6 and then had a very troubled outing when finishing out of the top five in the Adequan Los Alamitos Derby Challenge. He should be back to his top form for the Vandy’s Flash. Steel Blue Cartel, second in the Adequan, See It Clearly, Favorite Semental, and Coo Joe will complete the field.

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