LOS ALAMITOS, CA—AUGUST 18, 2017—Gary Laramie and Janet Oakeson’s Genuine Version led from gate to wire while holding off the late charging Doctor Fantastic to win the $36,090 Adequan California Derby Challenge by 2/1000ths of a second on Friday at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Cesar De Alba for trainer Monty Arrossa, the 20-1 longshot Genuine Version covered the 400 yards in :19.815, while Bob and Scott Giltner’s Doctor Fantastic crossed the wire just a hair behind in a time of :19.817. The winner of the 2016 $34,000 Utah Bred Futurity at Wyoming Downs, Genuine Version picked up his fifth win in 12 career starts. He earned $17,323 for the win to take his career earnings to $46,456.

"I’ve really liked this horse all along," Arrossa said. "We’ve run him here a couple of times and we just had not figured him out. We thought he just needed some experience under the lights. We felt good about him coming into this race. I was surprised to see him 20-1 on the morning line and that he went off at such of long odds. He’s run two races here against old horses and had run two respectable races. I thought the horse was coming into a good race here tonight."

Bred by Allreds Horse Haven in Utah, the son of Winners Version had finished fourth against allowance runners in his last start here on July 23. In his only other local start, he was fifth also against allowance competition on June 23. Now with a victory under his belt, Genuine Version looks to be one to follow for the rest of the year. This win earned a berth to the Adequan Derby Challenge final to be held at Prairie Meadows in Iowa.

"I’ll have to visit with the owners and come up with a plan for him from here," Arrossa added. "We’ll look at Iowa. He’s eligible for the Blane Schvaneveldt Handicap and ultimately we may look at the Z. Wayne Griffin Directors Trial (on November 19)."

Arrossa saddled Zoomin For Spuds to victory in a Z. Wayne Griffin Directors Trial last year. Zoomin For Spuds went on to win the Champion of Champions.

Trained by Lin Melton, Doctor Fantastic earned $7,399 for his runner-up finish. The son of Fantastic Corona Jr, came into this race after winning an allowance event on August 5. Eduardo Nicasio was aboard the Scott and Bob Giltner-bred runner.

The Louisiana Dream finished third for owner Hugo Barron Sierra and RonaLd and Denise VanAmburgh. Alejandra Luna had the riding assignment for trainer Angela Aquino. The son of The Louisiana Cartel earned $$3,609 for the effort. J.E. Jumonville, Jr. bred The Louisiana Dream from the Apollo (TB) mare In His Dreams.

Bannister, Down N Runnin, Eagle Appeals, Buckshot Cartel and Gold Diggin Queen completed the field.

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.