Both AJ Million Sign and Shes Jess Shinning, will be making their second starts on Saturday across three maiden events at Los Alamitos.

© StallioneSearch

By Orlando Gutierrez

LOS ALAMITOS–APRIL 16, 2026–The spotlight shines on the future this Saturday night as three maiden events feature a crop of 17 two-year-olds, the vast majority of whom are making their professional racing debuts at Los Alamitos. With high-end pedigrees and sharp morning works on display, fans will get their first look at the next wave of Quarter Horse talent across distances of 220 and 300 yards.

Horse players should take note: while most are newcomers, two juveniles arrive with the benefit of experience. Rancho El Cabresto’s AJ Million Sign, a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Jeriko, goes in the fifth, while Maria Carlos and Martha Trujillo’s Shes Jess Shinning—an Mpshinning filly out of Grade 1 winner Cartel Jess Rockin—lines up in the sixth.

Experience has been the ultimate teacher so far this season. In four juvenile races featuring a "veteran" with a start under their belt, three have parlayed that education into a winner’s circle photo in their second outing. Just last Sunday, Valeriano Racing Stables’ Unblemished V and Zora V both scored in their second go-rounds, following the lead of Levaughn Gines’ AF Eagle Heart, who broke her maiden on April 4.

Experience might be key in race 5
AJ Million Sign figures to be a heavy favorite in Race 5. He finished a strong second in his debut on April 4, beaten only by the aforementioned AF Eagle Heart. As the only runner in this 220-yard dash with a race on his resume, he looks to have the edge. Top opposition could come from Elicit Favorite, who showed he should be ready for the big stage after a solid :12.6 clocking in his lone gate work.

Pedigree and Performance in the Filly Division
Race 6 moves to 300 yards for the fillies, and the bloodlines are as blue as they come. Home To Stay, a full sister to elite Grade 1 winner London Toby, looked very much at home on the track while outshining older company in a :12.4 work.

She’ll contend with Perikina, a Corona Cartel filly from the royal family of World Champion Blues Girl Too, who matched that :12.4 in a highly professional effort. Norah Lena, a full sister to the $179,630 earner and graded stakes placed mare Political Royalty, adds further depth following a solid :12.5 gate drill.

Heavy Hitters in Race 7
The final juvenile race occurs in Race 7 also be held at 300 yards and includes Friend Indeed, a Favorite Cartel colt out of the prolific producer Up For It, who comes in off a steady :12.5. He meets Another Valiant Sign, a son out of the multiple graded stakes winner First Painted Sign, who looked promising when matching strides with Elicit Favorite in :12.6.

Border Wall stands out as another top contender after a blistering :12.3 work on March 28—the fastest of his set. More stiff competition figures to come from Redd Line, a Favorite Cartel colt who posted a sharp :12.4, as he adds talent to a triple-header of races that could very well produce some of future standouts in the juvenile division.

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