FDD Dreams, ridden by Luis Martinez, digs in late to prevail by a nose in Saturday’s $700,000 Champion of Champions Stakes (G1) at Los Alamitos, pushing his career earnings past the $2 million mark.

© William Zuazo

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

LOS ALAMITOS, CA—DECEMBER 13, 2025—The 2025 edition of the Champion of Champions (G1) featured a stacked field of Grade 1 winners in the classic 440-yard race, with 10 runners competing for a portion of the $700,000 purse. FDD Dreams emerged victorious, earning the lion’s share and surpassing the $2 million mark on Saturday night at Los Alamitos.

The bay gelding stopped the clock in 21.403 seconds while posting a 101 speed index, earning $350,000 for the win and outlasting a loaded field of Grade 1 winners by a nose at the wire. The slight upset over post-time favorite Jeriko paid $13.80 to win on 6-1 odds.

Ridden by Luis Martinez and trained by Xavier Rodriguez, FDD Dreams broke out and was bumped at the start, but quickly found his best stride, took command late, and lasted on the line to secure the victory in decisive fashion despite the narrow margin.

“He wants to win the big races,” said owner Javier Rodriguez. “He doesn’t care about the trials and stuff.”

The winning connections of FDD Dreams accept the $700,000 Champion of Champions-G1 trophy at Los Alamitos on Saturday. © William Zuazo/Los Alamitos

Trainer Xavier Rodriguez put the moment into perspective from the winner’s circle. “Words can’t describe how amazing all this feels. It’s just surreal to be here, to win this race,” he said. “I just want to thank everybody from everywhere who helped us get here.”

He also acknowledged the challenge of tackling the division’s established veterans. “They are tough horses, that’s why it’s the Champion of Champions,” Rodriguez said. “I was a little scared going into the race against the older horses, but he belongs here and he proved it.”

FDD Dreams is the youngest horse in this year’s field as he was born on February 28, 2022. He is the first All American Derby winner to also win the Champion of Champions in his 3-year-old campaign since See Me Do It in 1989.

FDD Dreams is currently the nation’s leading earner in the 3 and up ranks for 2025 with five victories and $1,281,034 in the bank, and he’s the overall leading earner this year.

He has lit the board 15 of 17 lifetime starts with $2,151,835 in total earnings, and Saturday’s triumph marked his third Grade 1 victory this season, adding to wins in the All American Derby-G1 and Ruidoso Derby-G1. He was also a finalist in the Los Alamitos Super Derby-G1 in the race before the Champion of Champions.

Looking back on how quickly fortunes can change in this game, owner Javier Rodriguez pointed to the importance of the start. “I knew he probably had a good chance in the Super Derby, if would have broke, I think he’s unbeatable,” he said. “It happens in race horses. It’s very important to get out of the gates and it’s luck. This year we had it and it’s an unbelievable moment.”

The winner is owned by La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC, who also bred him in New Mexico. FDD Dreams is by FDD Dynasty. He is out of the Apollitical Jess mare Treasured Dreams, bred by La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC.

Jeriko finished second in another top-class effort, beaten a nose after rallying late but losing the bob at the wire. The 5-year-old brown gelding, ridden by Jesus Ayala completed the race in 21.407 seconds, earning a 101 speed index.

Trainer Chris O’Dell saddled Jeriko for owner-breeder Bobby D. Cox. He is by One Famous Eagle out of the Shazoom mare Signs Zoomer.

Jeriko brought a strong résumé into the night, having won the Z Wayne Griffin Director’s Stakes in his last start, while also placing third in the Robert L. Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship Stakes-G1 and finishing as a finalist in the Championship At Sunland Park Stakes-G1.

He now owns a record that includes 23 starts with 11 wins, four seconds, two thirds, and $1,148,672 in earnings.

Unrelentless finished third after a determined late run, coming home just a neck behind Jeriko in a tightly packed finish. The 4-year-old posted a 99 speed index in in 21.449 seconds. He is owned by Reliance Ranches LLC, trained by Eddie Willis, and was ridden by Eduardo Nicasio.

Unrelentless was bred in Oklahoma by Flag Ranch LLC. The bay colt out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Painted Wine Wagon was a $200,000 purchase at the 2022 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

The son of Hes Relentless added another strong graded placing to his résumé. Earlier this season, he captured the Brad McKinzie Winter Championship Stakes-G1, placed third in the Leo Stakes-G1, and was a finalist in four other graded stakes events. From 23 career starts, he has compiled seven wins, four seconds, three thirds, and $495,702 in earnings.

Norco was fourth, Empressum fifth, Stanley Cartel sixth, Hott Temptation seventh, Hooked N Gone eighth, Scoops Dynasty ninth, and Rc Corona King tenth.

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