Battle of the futurity winners--Double Down 123 and Political Rivalry will face off in the Grade 2 $265,000 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity at Los Alamitos Race Course Sunday night.

© William Zuazo

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–SEPTEMBER 29, 2023–The winner of the two richest futurities held so far this season at Los Alamitos lead the entries to the Grade 2, $265,000 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity here on Sunday night.

Keith Nellesen’s Political Rivalry won the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity just over three months ago and has now drawn the outside post nine for the Breeders Futurity. Undefeated in his five career starts, the Kvn Corona gelding had to work harder than expected to win his Breeders Futurity trial on September 10.

An overwhelming favorite in that race, Political Rivalry led from start to finish while crossing the wire a neck ahead of MV Royal Pappasito. His 350-yard winning time was of :17.88 was only the seventh fastest of the night, but in class alone he is the top contender for this race. Jose Nicasio will ride the McColee Land & Livestock-bred runner for trainer Heath Taylor.

The other major futurity winner in this event is Taos River Ranch and Randy Young’s Double Down 123, a filly by leading first-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 and the winner of the $276,000 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity on May 14.

That victory sparked a four-race win streak that included a head victory while posting the second fastest time in the trials to this race. Trained by Monty Arrossa, the Bob and Jerry Gaston-bred Double Down 123 covered the 350 yards in :17.727. Armando Cervantes will pilot her from post number three.

"She's just a good individual," Young said of Double Down 123. " I've never had a horse that's had four in a row. She's the best horse I've ever had."

The honor of fastest qualifier for this race belongs to Kolleen Ledgerwood's Cowgirl Upp, who looked tremendous in winning her trial in a time of :17.707.  Ridden by Cruz Mendez for trainer Cesar DeAlba, the filly is out of multiple graded stakes winner Kiddy Up Cowgirl, who won the PCQHRA Breeders Derby back in 2017. Her daughter will now look to enjoy her own moment on glory in this series.

DeAlba, who was leading rider at Los Alamitos before starting his training career, was confident that Cowgirl Upp would blossom at 350 yards after watching at 220 yards and then winning her maiden at 300 yards.

"I always liked her to go longer just like her momma did," said DeAlba, who as a jockey won 1,001 Quarter Horse races at Los Alamitos. "I knew 220 wasn't going to be her game. We've taken good care of her and saved her for the longer races. I think she's going to get better. She's very professional."

Mendez will pilot the Oregon-bred Cowgirl Upp from post number one. The fastest qualifier was bred by David and Leah Nelson, who campaigned Kiddy Up Cowgirl.

The field for the Grade 2 PCQHRA Breeders' Futurity: 

      PP Horse                          Jockey                  Trainer

1. Cowgirl Upp (OR)                 C Mendez                  C DeAlba
2. Mv Royal Pappasito (UT)     E Nicasio                   M Arrossa
3. Double Down 123 (TX)         A R Cervantes           M Arrossa
4. Southern Divine (OK)           J R Ayala                   M Arrossa
5. Talk Bout Somethin (CO)     H R Lopez                  P C Jones
6. Optical Illusion (CA)             V M Salazar               P C Jones
7. Send In A Favor (UT)           A Viramontes             M H Taylor
8. Winners Share (CA)            J A Flores                   M V Casselman
9. Political Rivalry (UT)            J M Nicasio                M H Taylor

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

For more info' please contact larace@losalamitos.com. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @losalracing or visit us online at www.losalamitos.com.