LOS ALAMITOS, CA—MAY 16, 2019—Ed Allred's Chocolatito, who looked so impressive when making his 2019 debut on April 26, will make his first ever start in a stakes race when he takes on three-time graded stakes finalist Dexxter, Autumn Handicap winner Tac Me Up and six more top sophomores in the $25,000 Dillingham Handicap on Saturday at Los Alamitos.

To be ridden by Vinnie Bednar for trainer Scott Willoughby, the Favorite Cartel gelding posted the meet's fastest 330-yard clocking while kicking off his 3-year-old campaign with a two length victory in a sizzling time of :16.58. The nice effort improved his career record to two wins in four starts, while also running a game second in his Golden State Million Futurity trial last year.

Chocolatito, who is one Willoughby's favorite horses currently in his barn, will start from post number six. He'll be taking on an experienced and talented field with a combined record of 27 wins from 83 starts.

Howard Nichols' Dexxter has to be regarded as the most accomplished runner in this field. A winner in four of his nine starts, the Corona Cartel gelding ran fourth in last year's Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity and was eighth in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. He recently finished fourth behind winner Powerful Favorite, Apollitical Pence and Red Hawk Cartel in the Grade 3 El Primero Del Ano Derby on March 31.

Jose Nicasio will ride for trainer Jaime Gomez. Bail Czech and Tac Me Up, two more El Primero finalists, plus James Smith Handicap runner-up Callendar and Los Alamitos Maiden Stakes runner-up Cavuto are among the other top contenders in this event.

Oatie Three Goes For Three In Friday’s Main Event

Ed Allred's Oatie Three looks to showcase his quickness once again when he goes after his third consecutive victory in the featured eighth race at 100 yards on Friday at Los Alamitos. First post is 6 p.m. and the card will also be highlighted by top 2-year-olds competing in races four through seven.

Oatie Three became part of Quarter Horse racing history in his last start when he became Allred's 1,500th Quarter Horse winner. The Hall of Fame owner and breeder became the first ever to reach that Quarter Horse milestone. Ridden by Vinnie Bednar for trainer Scott Willoughby, Oatie Three will look to garner more headlines when takes on four top rivals in this 100-yard dash.

His foes will include Jess Bein Me, the runner-up to Cole Man 47 in the PCQHRA Breeders Futurity, and recent 300-yard allowance winner Tres Delight. Manhunter, who ran second to Oatie Three in their last meeting, and Feature Ms Bo will complete the field.v The freshman class of 2019 continues to deliver top sprinters and several of them will be in action on Friday night. Thirty-one juveniles will race at 300 yards with the fourth race featuring a nine-horse field led by My Great Secret, a $97,000 purchase at the 2018 Los Alamitos Equine Sale.

The Silver Racing Farm-bred runner is a full-brother to AQHA champion 3-year-old Hez Our Secret, who earned $887,426 in his career. Favoriteladymelania, a half-sister to AQHA champion filly A Political Lady, will head the fifth race, while Tribal Fire, Woo, Firey Eddie Jean, and Aquachick, each a yearling purchased by $50,000 or more last year, are among the other top young runners entered on Friday night.

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Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.