LOS ALAMITOS, CA—AUGUST 3, 2018—Parsons Ranch’s A Political Lady will go after her seventh victory in a row when she leads a strong field in the first of two trials to the Grade 2, $221,300 Golden State Derby on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

Nineteen sophomores will be in action in the 400-yard trials, which are slated as the final two races on the nine-race card. The horses with the 10 fastest times will return here for the final on August 19.

To be ridden by Eduardo Nicasio for trainer Chris O’Dell, A Political Lady is a perfect five for five in 2018 and also won her final start as a 2-year-old last year. Her outstanding sophomore campaign has included victories in the Grade 3 La Primera Del Ano Derby plus La Pacifica Handicap and Vandy’s Flash Handicap.

"She’s matured a lot this year," O’Dell said. "She started winning races and just grew in confidence. They’re hard to beat when they gain a lot of confidence."

A Political Lady has finished in the top three in 13 of 14 career starts. She’ll start from post two in second trial.

Other top runners in this strong heat include Moonie Blues, winner of the Wild West Futurity and runner-up in the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity last year, and Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby winner Jess My Kiss. Another horse to watch is Jesstacartel, who ran second to A Political Lady in the Vandy’s Flash on July 1.

The opening trial features the return of Reliance Ranches LLC’s SC Vapor Trail, winner of the John Deere California Juvenile here last year. She returns after good races at Ruidoso Downs and Remington Park. Impressive allowance winners Twenty One Gunz and La Primera finalist La Rusa are among the other top contenders in this trial.

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Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.