The PCQHRA Breeders Derby (GIII)

Another great weekend of racing at Los Alamitos begins tonight with the running of the PCQHRA Breeders Derby. A field of ten 3-year-olds will race 400 yards in search of the Grade III win and the winner's share of the $170,000 purse. The nine-race card tonight also features the Kip Didericksen Overnight Stakes and the Blane Schvaneveldt Handicap. The Los Alamitos Equine Sale is also set to take place this Saturday and Sunday in the sales venue across from the racetrack where some future Quarter Horse stars will be sold through the auction ring. I expect a good crowd and good pools in the pick 4's. Many things to look forward to so let's get to the plays and selections for tonight's card.


Race 1:  4-3-5
#4 Jennifer Doll - completely destroyed easy maiden field last out, best speed figure of field.
#3 Ashabu- rounding back into form, good second place last out, has faced better.
#5 R. C. Storm- has good early speed, will try to take them as far as possible.

Race 2:  1-6-8
#1 Too Cool to Rule- Takes slight drop, very solid in 3 career starts, faced better competition in last.
#6 Living Your Dreams- drops into claiming for the first time from tough allowance fields.
#8 Special Seal- rallied for a good second place after slow start. Good outside post.

Race 3:  1-2-4
#1 Like a Zephyr- rallied late for 3rd in last, claimed, fast 11.90 drill since last seen.
#2 Jdf Check- good win last out when leading all the way, shorter distance benefits him.
#4 Bet it Snows- stumbled badly in last race to ignore, Moreno winning 42% first off the claim.

Race 4:  4-5-7     The Kip Didericksen Overnight Stakes 350 yards
#4 Fols Jesse- third against tough Hcp, beat two Derby finalists two starts ago.
#5 Whata Corona Runner- comes out of good race, his gate speed is dangerous.
#7  Vodka Soda no Fruit- good second last out in first local start, is consistent.

Race 5:  1-5-3
#1 Shady Votes- first off the claim for Hansen (29%), lightly raced, blinkers on, expect speed.
#5 American Excess- wired field last out, claimed by Treece, earned good figure last out.
#3 Suzuran Dancer- effort three starts ago fits here if #1 & #5 decide to duel. Off the pace threat.

Race 6:  6-1-4
#6 Slr Stevie Ray- 10-year-old is very consistent, good win against similar last out, like outside post.
#1 Sweet Separations- last win was Feb '11 against $5k claimers, drops in class for live connections.
#4 Three Corona Classic- drops in class for hot trainer, needs to break good out the gate.

Race 7:  3-2-4
#3 Perrys Affair- was highly regarded in June debut when second, tough trip last out in trial.
#2 Freakin Hot- was bet down in Remington Park debut, good breeding, nice 12.1 local drill.
#4 Votemount- debut was solid, broke good and showed gate speed, big improvement expected.

Race 8:  6-7-4     The Blane Schvaneveldt Handicap 400 yards
#6 Lil Bitts a Dash- flew from gate and crushed in last. Tough to beat with repeat effort.
#7 Sissis Little Nipper- has won 6 of last 8 starts, tough trip last out, has a chance.
#4 A Royal Dervish- good win at Emerald last out, arrives sharp, 3rd in this race last year.

Race 9:  6-5-3     The $170,000 PCQHRA Breeders Derby (GIII) 400 yards
#6 Pony Drive- stumbled & rallied from tough post for 2nd place, can fire a big one with clean break.
#5 Ima Chickie Two- G2 winning filly has terrific gate speed that is dangerous, loves to win.
#3 Separate Thoughts- earned big number in last win, is improving and has two-race winning streak.

My Plays:

$1 Early Pick 4 Race One ($30):  3,4,5 / 1,5,6,7,8 / 1,2 / 4

$1 Late Pick 4 Race Six ($36):  6 / 2,3,4 / 4,6,7,8 / 3,5,6
$1 Late Pick 4 Race Six ($6):  6 / 5,6 / 6 / 3,5,6

Good Luck!