LOS ALAMITOS, CA—DECEMBER 27, 2018—Stakes winners Mommas Dynasty, Striver and Silver Jet Dash, plus the Grade 2 futurity placed gelding Purty Fancy Dude are among the nine 2-year-olds that will compete in the first stakes race of the new meet at Los Alamitos, the $20,000 Holiday Handicap at 350 yards on Saturday night.

Nine races are on tap starting at 6 p.m.

Juan Carlos Chavez's Striver established herself as a one of the top fillies at Los Alamitos after her early season exploits saw her post a second place finish in the Grade 2 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity before qualifying to the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity and Governor's Cup Futurity.

After a three-month break, the Foose filly won the Stotz Equipment Stakes at 350 yards on the night of Bank of America Challenge Championships. She'll look to wrap up her productive freshman campaign with a solid effort against a strong field in the Holiday Handicap. Vinnie Bednar will pilot the Ed Allred-bred runner for trainer Scott Willoughby from post number eight.

Edward and Von Zae McNelis' Mommas Dynasty made a bright first impression at Los Alamitos when she won the Tolltac Handicap at 11-1 odds in her local debut on September 7.

The Idaho-bred returned with two more solid effort, finishing third in a trial to the Wild West Futurity and then running third to Mister FDD in the Corona Chick Handicap. Cesar Franco will ride the Monty Arrossa-trainee from post number one.

Arrossa, who has saddled 11 stakes winners at Los Alamitos in 2018, will also unveil Silver Jet Dash, who makes his Southern California debut after winning the Intermountain Futurity in Elko Nevada. Freshened since that Labor Day win on September 3, the gelding by Bodacious Dash has shown excellent quickness in a pair of 220-yard gate works since his arrival. Jonathan Roman will ride him from post number four.

Tom Bradbury and Lila Kessinger's Purty Fancy Dude has posted six consecutive top three finishes here. He ran third to fastest qualifier Ali Babe Foose in a trial to the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity in his last start. Ali Babe Foose returned with a second place finish in the Two Million final. He was third to Cole Man 47 in the Grade 2 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity final on October 6.

The strength of this race continues as the field also features Keith Nellesen's Corona By Corona, who beat Purty Fancy Dude in their Golden State Million Futurity trial, and Corona Chick runner-up Bolt For Gold.

Bail Czech, Moon Me Blue and Singles Cruise will join the Holiday field.

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.