LOS ALAMITOS, CA—AUGUST 25, 2016—Rod MacPherson, Jr.’s AJS Anna Smoke will make his first start since winning the Governor’s Cup Futurity when he faces seven juveniles in the $25,000 Pat Hyland Handicap at 350 yards on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

Bred by the late Anna MacPherson, AJS Anna Smoke has sizzled on the track while winning five of six starts this season. All five of his starts have come by margin of a half-length or greater and he won his Governor’s Cup Futurity trial by 1¼ lengths.

The Separatist gelding also won his Ed Burke Million Futurity trial, but his only career loss came in the final after a slow break. He was nothing but fast in the Governor’s Cup final, as he jumped to an early half-length lead before cruising to the wire from there. Cesar De Alba will pilot AJS Anna Smoke from post five for trainer John Cooper.

Owner Rod MacPherson, Jr. has always loved AJS Anna Smoke’s mother, the A Regal Choice mare Annas Babe.

“We bought her because of her broodmare potential,” he said. “I think she can become one of the best broodmares in the country.”

AJS Anna Smoke is not the only Governor’s Cup runner that MacPherson, Jr. will be cheering for in the Pat Hyland. He’ll also be represented by Kiddy Up Cowgirl, which also ran in the $388,000 futurity on July 30. The Kiddy Up filly start from pos number six for trainer James Glenn, Jr. Eulices Gomez will ride Kiddy Up Cowgirl.

Cina and John Sperry’s Stelfast will start from post number three in the Pat Hyland. The colt by Stel Corona has also qualified to a pair of futurities this season. He made the Kindergarten final and then finished fourth to AJS Anna Smoke in the Governor’s Cup final. Tony Guymon will ride Stelfast for the first time when he pilots him on Sunday for trainer Paul Jones.

Hopes And Dreams, Jess Hawk, Favorite Quick Chick and Apollitical Seven will also race.

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.