R Racing Stables’ Cheap Bar enjoyed a classy and lucrative victory in the $98,500 Los Alamitos Maiden Stakes.

© William Zuazo

By Orlando Gutierrez

CYPRESS, CA–FEBRUARY 23, 2026– SR Racing Stables’ Cheap Bar enjoyed a classy and lucrative victory in the $98,500 Los Alamitos Maiden Stakes after outdueling the heavy favorite, Hell On Wheels V, by a neck on Sunday night.

Sent off at 6-1 odds, Cheap Bar broke cleanly from post three under the guidance of jockey Martin Arriaga. There was nothing "cheap" about this 350-yard performance; the California-bred gelding by Apollitical Jess trailed the 2-5 favorite, Hell On Wheels V, by nearly a half-length before mounting a charge at the midway point. Cheap Bar assumed control soon after, and despite drifting slightly, he maintained command and looked every bit the winner over the final 75 yards.

The winning connections of Cheap Bar accept the $98,500 Los Alamitos Maiden Stakes trophy at Los Alamitos on Sunday. © William Zuazo

For his winning effort, the Juan Aleman trainee earned $41,370, boosting his career bankroll to $52,357 with two wins from nine career starts.

Aleman is optimistic about the future of the Steve Burns-bred runner, whose dam is the 2019 Restricted Grade 2 New Mexico Spring Futurity winner, Honky Tonk Daddy.

“We always liked this horse for the distance,” Aleman said. “We had to be patient with him. We had some issues early in his 2-year-old career. We waited on him, stayed patient, and always knew that he had ability. He started putting it together toward the end of the year. I think this horse will do some good things as a derby horse. He sure showed he’s going to like the distance.”

Cheap Bar broke his maiden two races ago and subsequently finished fourth to Hell On Wheels V in the trials. Aleman knew that trial result didn't reflect his trainee’s true talent, as the gelding overcame significant trouble that night.

“He had trouble,” Aleman explained. “He broke through the gate and bruised his gum after hitting the gate pretty hard. To qualify after that impressed me. I knew that if he had a good break tonight, he would give us a nice race, and he did.”

Cheap Bar remains eligible for the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Super Derby trials later this year.

Valeriano Racing Stables’ Hell On Wheels V earned $16,745 for his second-place finish with Francisco Calderon up for trainer Jesus Nunez. Mark Smith and Shirley Schvaneveldt’s Slatedtoshine ran a strong third to pick up a check for $11,820. Hardtoxplain, Hot American Badazz, Favorite Mojo, and Cmhowaboutthemcowboy completed the field.

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