Ready For It, under jockey Armando Cervantes, winning the $30,000 James Smith Memorial Handicap Saturday night at Los Alamitos.

© Roberts Communications

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–APRIL 6, 2024–Juniors Quarter Horses, Inc’s Grade 1 stakes placed runner Ready For It continued his fine form with a convincing victory in the $30,000 James Smith Memorial Handicap on Saturday at Los Alamitos.

Leaving the gate from the outside post seven, Ready For It stumbled lightly at the start but he quickly picked up speed and eventually took control of the 350-yard race. By the midway point, the gelding by Favorite Cartel reached his top gear and from there he cruised to a ¾ length victory over Steve Burns’ Winners Share in a time of :17.618.

Armando Cervantes piloted the Ed Allred-bred stakes winner for trainer Monty Arrossa.

Ready For It has now won two out of his three starts in 2024. He posted a gate to wire victory in his trial to the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby and then came back to finish a strong second in the Winter Derby final.

Trainer Monty Arrossa and jockey Armando Cervantes accept the James Smith Handicap stakes trophy.
© Orlando Gutierrez

Last year, Ready For It won twice in five starts, including a nice score in the California Breeders Freshman Stakes. For his career, he has now won four of eight starts with career earnings of $71,524. He earned $16,500 for his victory in the James Smith.

"The horse is maturing a lot," Arrossa said. "A lot of the Favorite Cartels they just get better with age. He ran a banged-up race in the Winter Derby, the trials and the final. He came out of the derby final well. We wanted to freshen him up and gave him just a bit of a break. He’s just been training great. This was a perfect fit for him. I’m pleased with his effort."

Races like the Dillingham Handicap on May 11 or the Vandy’s Flash Handicap on June 22 could be in play for Ready For It later in the year. He could also take part in the Jens List Memorial Stakes on California Breeders Champions Night on July 27. 

Ready For It returns after winning the James Smith Memorial Handicap at Los Alamitos Saturday night. © Amber Mendez

All three of these races are for sophomore sprinters. Out of Governor’s Cup Futurity winner Up For It, Ready For It is a full-brother to Grade 1 Spencer Childers California Breeders Championship Handicap winner Up And Atem.

 "We’ll probably do the same thing, give (Ready For It) a break and freshen him up and see what comes up next," Arrossa said. "We’ll let the horse tell him what’s next. I think he’s a nice horse and down the road he could be of the caliber of a horse that could run against the real tough (older horses). California Breeders Night is a premier night for the Cal-bred and something that we love to participate in. We’ll look at that as well. "

Ready For It is eligible to run in the trials to the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Super Derby in October.

Ridden by Jose Nicasio and trained by Mike Casselman, Winners Share, by Seperate Interest, earned $6,750 for his runner-up effort.

Reliance Ranches’ Tres Seis colt, Tres Toledo, finished third.

Relief Factor, Sneaky Kid, Mv Royal Pappasito and Favorite Won completed the field.

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