Jose Rosario Alcala aboard Kindergarten Futurity (G2) winner Call Me Candela.

© William Zuazo

By Orlando Gutierrez

CYPRESS, CA–JULY 24, 2026—The Governor’s Cup Derby and Futurity alongside the Spencer Childers California Breeders Championship Handicap get the bold headlines on a terrific 27th edition of California Breeders Champions Night, but the undercard stakes events on Sunday will feature top-level talent in each and every race.

The opening race of the night is the $25,000 California Juvenile Gold Rush, featuring a field of six firecracker runners. Miguel Osorio’s Call Me Candela is the big name after winning the Grade 2 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity and qualifying for the final of the Grade 1 Ed Burke Memorial. Jose Rosario Alcala will pilot the filly for trainer Jose Flores. Kolleen Ledgerwood’s Blackk Maggic is the 2-1 favorite following two eye-catching efforts. Even her runner-up finish in the Ed Burke trials came against eventual Ed Burke winner CV Fdddinasty Shan. Ed Burke finalist MP Jess Rockin will also be in action.

The $30,000 Jens List for sophomores is led by Shane Giles’ SG Jacob Jay, who looks to score his second stakes victory of the season. Ed Allred will be represented by a quartet of runners trained by Scott Willoughby, led by talented full brothers Next Norco and Go North, plus El Primero third-place finisher More Of It. Gabriel Lara, who has ridden all three of those runners, will instead pilot Warmly from the outside post as he makes his 2026 season debut.

Eight horses will line up in the $25,000 California Breeders Claiming Stakes. Jeryl Hartley’s Fyrestorm stands out as the top winner in the group with five victories in 20 career starts. Clanfield Act Stables’ Special Gray Cartel goes after her fourth career win from post six, while stakes-tested runners AP Scorpion Boy and Straight Tequila start from the outside posts.

Fillies and mares take the spotlight in the next two races. The Restricted Grade 3, $50,000 Rolling A Ranch Stakes is led by Allred’s Quick She Is, an impressive allowance winner in her last outing. Keep an eye on EG High Desert Farms’ Mumbal as she makes her 2026 debut following an awesome win on December 7 in her final juvenile start.

In the $30,000 Debutante, a field of six talented fillies will clash. Allred’s Went To London, EG’s Leticia, and Bradbury Racing’s You Are The Best figure to garner plenty of attention thanks to their consistent form.

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