LOS ALAMITOS, CA—JANUARY 27, 2022—A trio of Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity finalists (G1) are among the outstanding group of 34 sophomore Quarter Horses that will be in action in the trials to the first derby of the 2022 season, the Grade 1, $212,000 Los Alamitos Winter Derby on Saturday night.

Four trials will take place at 400 yards with the horses with the 10 fastest times moving on to the Winter Derby final on February 19.

The Two Million finalists will be headed by Howard Nichols' Jess Being A Friend, who finished second in the meet's richest race. Racing in the second of four trials, Jess Being A Friend is trained by Elena Andrade, who was more than thrilled to be a part of a great result in the Two Million final.

"The Two Million final is still a wonderful feeling and more so to share it with Howard and Laurie Nichols," Andrade said. "They are such great owners that have supported our family with opportunities, not only to train for them but also for the support they gave our son, Oscar Andrade, Jr., when he was starting his riding career.

Finishing in the top two in the Two Million was a gratifying way to be able to pay our thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Nichols. They have become more like family, as they also have horses with my sister, trainer Angela Aquino.

"(Jess Being A Friend) looks amazing on the track," she added. "The hardest thing has just been trying to keep him geared down. He bounced back ready to more and the wait for this race has been challenging. He is just beginning to peak and mature. Now everyone knows him, although I always felt he had a presence about him that demanded attention."

A winner of more than $355,000, the son of multiple stakes sire Jess Being Valiant will be part of a very strong field. His rivals will include the filly Empty Promise, who closed out her 2-year-old campaign with a victory in the Evening Snow Handicap, plus Eye On The Sky, who has posted impressive wins here and arrives after a strong prep work. Stakes winner Lovely Evening will also be in action in this trial.

The opening heat by two-time graded futurity finalist Docs Fast Lane, a Docs Best Card gelding who races for Jaime Gomez and Carlos Lopez, plus John Deere California Juvenile winner Scoops Dynasty for Edward and Von Zae McNelis. The gelding is my three-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty. The Quarter Company LLC's Kiddy Up gelding Pentos, a winner in a Golden State Million trial, is another one to watch in this heat.

The third trial is wide-open and led by Grade 2 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity runner-up Corona Yo and Holiday Handicap runner-up Jess Hez On Fire.

The final heat will include the other Two Million finalists in Dasha Good Reason and Watch Out, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in that big money race. Owned by Ed Allred, Watch Out also finished second in the Governor's Cup Futurity last year.

Others in this field will include the stakes placed Cactus Jack and recent runaway allowance winner Namgis Azoom On By. Newcomer A Famous Ribbon will also compete in this trial.

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For more info, please contact larace@losalamitos.com. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @losalracing or visit us online at www.losalamitos.com.