Link Newcomb's Cattail Cove drives to victory for the third time in the $30,000 Independence Day Handicap at Los Alamitos Race Course on Sunday.

© William Zuazo

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–JULY 6, 2025– Link Newcomb's Cattail Cove won the Independence Day Handicap for the third time after flying from the outside post number nine to outduel Abigail Kawananakoa Stakes winner Budderhomesngarden by a ½ length in the $30,000 race on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

Cattail Cove is now a seven-time stakes winner at the Orange County oval with his wins in the 2022 and 2023 Independence Day among his first stakes winning efforts here.

Since then, Cattail Cove has won stakes like the Moonist Stakes here in March and in last year's Grade 3 First Down Dash Handicap last December.

Trainer Juan Aleman, jockey Martin Arriaga, and owner Link Newcomb accept the Independence Day Stakes trophy.
© William Zuazo

All in all, the 8-year-old by Favorite Cartel has won12 races from 55 career starts and has finished in the money in 35 of those outings. He earned $16,500 for the win to take his career earnings to $779,045. 

"He's won four races out of five (at 300 yards), you can't beat that," Newcomb said. "He's eight years old and still loving what he's doing every day and it's such a joy to watch. I'm sure we'll run him on California Breeders Champions Night, probably in the Spencer Childers and then after that the horse will tell us what he wants to do. We built a new barn for him in Oklahoma for when he's ready to retire. Probably, I'm thinking he'll run through the end of the year. Maybe not run next year. As long as he likes it, we'll keep running him."

Martin Arriaga piloted the Juan Aleman trainee, who covered the distance in :15.248. Newcomb added that it'll be special to have Cattail Cove home in Oklahoma when his career eventually comes to an end.

"It'll be important that he is used on the ranch because he won't like just being idle. They'll use him as a ranch horse and see how he gets along. It'll be good for everybody."

Ridden by Cesar Franco for owner/breeder Double Bar S Ranch, Budderhomesngarden earned $6,750 for running second in the Independence Day. Trained by Elena Andrade, the 4-year-old mare came into this race after posting a 22-1 upset win in the Abigail. She's finished second or better in 10 of her 20 starts.

Mask Mandate, the winner of the Governor's Cup Derby last year, finished third and was followed across the wire by 2023 All American Futurity finalist Cuz Lightyear, Kevins Wise Corona, Sneaky Kid, Special Two Corona, One Sweet Duck, and Rs Shere Khan.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

For more information, please get in touch with larace@losalamitos.com. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @losalracing or visit us online at www.losalamitos.com.
 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.