LOS ALAMITOS, CA—JUNE 15, 2013—Alota Cartel raced to an impressive wire-to-wire ¾ length victory in Saturday’s $61,600 Los Alamitos Claiming Futurity at Los Alamitos Race Course. Dan Ray and John Orlandini claimed the gray filly in the May 26 trials when she posted the fastest qualifying time.

Ridden by Santiago Mendez the gray miss completed the 350 yards in :17.807 seconds as the even-money favorite. Mendez was injured in an accident in the winner’s circle area following the race (See related story).

A daughter of second crop sire Carters Cartel and out of the mare Alota Beduino, Alota Cartel has won three of her four career outings with Mendez piloting her in all of her starts. Alota Cartel has won her last three races and in her previous outing she posted the fastest qualifying time to the Claiming Futurity. The owners claimed her for $12,500 out of her Claiming Futurity trial from Balgo Racing Team Inc., who also bred the filly.

Trained by Charles Treece, she’s the first Quarter Horse ever owned by Ray and Orlandini. Alota Cartel earned $25,872 for finishing first in the Claiming Futurity in a 350-yard time of :17.807. She has now earned $31,582 in her career.

Jesus Avila and Jesus Cuevas’ Rp Jets Azoomen earned $10,472 for finishing second in the Claiming Futurity. Carlos Huerta rode the Azoom gelding for trainer Jose De La Torre.

Steve Mickaelian’s Mozilla, a gelding by Hawkinson, finished third and earned $10,472. James Glenn, Jr. saddled with Eulices Gomez riding.

Chicks On Wings, George The Curious, Separate Gift Jh3, Candelaria Sport, Top Fuel Cha Cha, She Pays Dividends and Think About It completed the field. Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com