Politiko (#6), under jockey Justine Klaiber, winning the $28,000 Ah Sigh Handicap for 2-year-olds on Sunday at Los Alamitos Race Course.

© Amber Mendez

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–OCTOBER 29, 2023–Jockey Justine Klaiber, the only woman rider to have won a million-dollar race at Los Alamitos, piloted her second local stakes winner after guiding Ed Melson Revocable Trust’s Politiko to victory in the running of the $28,000 Ah Sigh Stakes for 2-year-olds on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

Klaiber made track history when she piloted the Eddie Willis-trained Apollitical Gold to victory in the 20202 Golden State Million. Her second stakes victory came with the Willis-trained Politiko, a gray colt by Favorite Cartel.

Racing from post five, Politiko took an early ¾ length advantage and then cruised from there to win by that margin in a 350-yard time of :18.033. Politiko earned $15,400 for the win.

The winning connections of Politko, jockey Justine Klaiber and trainer Eddie Willis, accept the Ah Sigh Handicap stakes trophy. © Orlando Gutierrez

Champion breeder Bobby D. Cox bred Politiko in Texas from the Apollitical Jess mare Apolitical Pac.

Ridden by Jesus Rios Ayala for trainer Lindolfo Diaz, Checkn Cartel finished second while earning $6,300. J. Francisco Diaz bred and owns the filly by Favorite Cartel out of Checkn Fire by Walk Thru Fire.

Vic3tory LLC’s Jessa Dashin Hero earned $3,500 for running third. Heraclio Botello, Jr. trains the Mr Jess Perry mare out of Belle Helene by Valiant Hero. Canadian River QH LLC is the breeder and Cesar Franco had the riding call.

Kevins Knockout and Separate Kisses completed the field.

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