LOS ALAMITOS, CA—JUNE 28, 2020—La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and MRB Racing LLC's Up And Coming scored his second stakes victory of the year after outfinishing Juan Ramos Dorantes' John Carter Cash in the $25,000 Vandy's Flash Handicap for 3-year-olds on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Eduardo Nicasio for trainer Chris O'Dell, Up And Coming had a clean break from post number six and just wore down his rivals in route to a neck victory in the 400-yard dash.

The Kiddy Up gelding covered the distance in :19.831 while adding the Vandy's Flash to his come-from-behind victory in the James Smith Handicap on April 5. Up And Coming also added to his win tally, which now features seven victory in 12 starts.

"We're pretty happy with him," O'Dell said. "That's two stakes this year for him. My guys back in New Mexico that own him, La Feliz Montana and MRB Racing, they will be happy with that. That shows we can still do it once in a while. You have to ride the roller coaster, especially at this level of competition. It goes up and down. I looked at it and it looked like a derby field. He has facing tough horses. We are very pleased. He is a hard-knocking horse. He's right there all of the time. He's been a good investment."

Purchased for $67,000 at the Los Alamitos Equine Sale, Up And Coming added $13,750 to his bank account to take his career earnings over the $90,000 mark to $90,561.

In addition to outdueling John Carter Cash, who entered this race after daylighting rivals in the Dillingham Handicap on May 16, the Vandy's Flash also included Link Newcomb's Cattail Cove, the runner-up in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity,

James Smith runner-up Pay Me In Front, AB What A Runner runner-up Fashin Icon, and recent allowance winners Doctor Gene and Fly The Heights. Ridden by Jose Nicasio for trainer Valentin Zamudio, John Carter Cash hopped at the start, recovered to take the lead, but was caught late by Up And Coming. The son of Carters Cartel earned $5,625 for his runner-up effort and has now finished in the top two in nine of 13 career starts. His connections made the late payment of $30,000 to make his eligible to the trials to the Los Alamitos Super Derby on October 17.

Ed Allred's Doctor Gene finished third and was followed by Pay Me In Front, Fashin Icon, Cattail Cove and Fly The Heights.

Cattail Cove stumbled at the start and never threatened in his first start of the year.

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Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.