Racing


California Blossom Blooms in Iowa Double Gold Derby with First Stakes Win
California Blossom, under jockey Roberto Valero, winning the $74,761 Iowa Double Gold Derby at Prairie Meadows on Saturday afternoon.

© Coady Photography
California Blossom Blooms in Iowa Double Gold Derby with First Stakes Win

ALTOONA, IA—SEPTEMBER 1, 2018—In a surprise finish, California Blossom and jockey Roberto Valero edged clear by a half-length to win the $74,761 Iowa Double Gold Derby at Prairie Meadows on Saturday afternoon. The winning duo covered the 400-yard distance in 19.924 to earn an 89 speed index.

California Blossom ($24.80) drifted up on the tote board compared to her 6-1 morning line. She was the sixth fastest qualifier from two trials held on August 18, finishing third behind Estrella del Noche and fastest qualifier Cr Lota Girl after a bobbled start.

The winning connections of California Blossom accept the Iowa Double Gold Derby stakes trophy on Saturday at Prairie Meadows. © Coady Photography

She had previously qualified for the $78,000 Canterbury Park Derby after a second-place effort in her trial and had competed in several stakes at Los Alamitos. The California-bred daughter of Desirio has now won five of her 14 lifetime starts and has earned $59,035.

California Blossom is trained by Bob Johnson for owner George Seward. She was bred by Parsons Family Limited Partnership, out of Quiero Dinero by A Classic Dash.

Estrella de Noche finished in second place, a neck ahead of post-time favorite The Polar Vortex.

Estrella de Noche was the second fastest qualifier overall and also finished second in her trial. Stormy Smith was aboard for trainer Charles Hunt and owner Twin Spires Farm.

The Favorite Cartel filly shipped in from Retama prior to her trial but competed at Prairie Meadows in 2017, winning her trials for the $289,000 Valley Junction Futurity and $191,000 Iowa Double Gold Futurity.

Estrella de Noche was bred in Texas by Mjf Partnership, out of the Royal Shake Em mare Ja Desert Evening. Ja Desert Evening won the Iowa Double Gold Futurity in 2007, finished second in the Valley Junction Futurity (G2), and was fourth in the Iowa Double Gold Derby in 2008.

Third fastest qualifier The Polar Vortex won her trial and finished third in the final, this time with Cristian Esqueda aboard.

The Polar Vortex is a homebred for Tom Lepic, by Carters Cartel, out of the Shazoom mare Signs Zoomer, making her a half to multiple stakes placed horse Wagon Tales.

The Iowa Double Gold Derby was the first stakes appearance for the filly, though she has won four of her 12 lifetime starts and has only finished out of the money in three starts. She debuted at Remington and broke her maiden at Canterbury as a 2-year-old; she has won three of her four starts in 2018.

Completing the field were Cr Lota Girl, Agent Carter, Sfs Silver Lining, Who Rah, Rb Confection Rose, Okey Wind and Cant Take Time.