Preview Racing


O’Dell With Strong Pair in Governor's Cup Futurity; Ajs Anna Smoke Looking For Governor's Cup Sweep
Abigail Kawananakoa's Chance To Fire head a strong field in Saturday's $390,000 Governor's Cup Futurity at Los Alamitos Race Course.

© Scott Martinez
O’Dell With Strong Pair in Governor's Cup Futurity; Ajs Anna Smoke Looking For Governor's Cup Sweep

LOS ALAMITOS, CA—JULY 28, 2017—The richest race on California Breeders Champions Night is the $390,000 Governor's Cup Futurity at 350-yards.

The 10-horse field will be headed by the Chris O'Dell-trained duo of fastest qualifier Chance To Fire and second fastest qualifier Effortless Effort.

Owned by Abigail Kawananakoa, Chance To Fire was third in the Ed Burke Million final before returning to post a length victory in the Governor's Cup trial. He's won three out of four starts, including a length victory in the trials.

"We're in the catbird's sit, but that's where the pressure is," O'Dell said with a smile. "We ran (Chance to Fire) back pretty quick to get here today, but he's sound and happy and we thought we better give it a chance."

O'Dell has been here before, as the winning trainer of the Governor's Cup Futurity with Phoebes Dynasty in 2015. Chance To Fire, a $170,000 purchase at the Los Alamitos Equine Sale, finished third to KVN Corona in the $1,000,000 Ed Burke Million Futurity finale on June 18. A half-brother to Nymph, who races in the Matron Stakes on Saturday, Chance To Fire has won impressive in his other three outings.

"Chance To Fire had post number 10 on the night of the Ed Burke and I think he got a little lost being out there by himself," O'Dell said. "We weren't going to beat KVN Corona on that night, but my horse broke out and looked lost."

Owned by Rosenthal Ranch, the unbeaten Effortless Effort won his trial by a length. Purchased for $19,000 at the Los Alamitos Equine Sale, the Favorite Cartel gelding was the winner of an Ed Burke Million Futurity trial and an easy maiden winner as well.

"He's a nice colt. He's flown under the radar and hasn't gotten a lot of chatter," O’Dell added. "That colt is a real scary cat. He's starting to grow into himself and relax. He's better with the pony horse going into the gate. He's better in the gate, he's better in the paddock, everything is getting better for him. He has a bright future. I'm glad for the Rosenthals. They've been with me a long time."

Martha Wells' homebred Yanque, also sired by Favorite Cartel, posted the third fastest time after his trial victory. Trained by Matt Fales, Yanque has first or second in four consecutive starts. Fortuna Properties, Inc's Ditto Head, a trial winner at 48-1, and Darling Farms, Jaime Gomez, and Ernesto Solis’ J Fire Up, the runner-up in the Ed Burke Million, are among the other freshman sprinters in the race. One Sweet Barbie, Casino Baccarat, Magnifisant Seven, Knockout Jess, and The Revenant.

Governor's Cup Derby

Robin MacPherson Living Trust’s AJS Anna Smoke will look to become the seventh Quarter Horse to sweep the Governor’s Cup Derby and Futurity when he competes in Saturday’s $203,000 Governor’s Cup Derby final at Los Alamitos.

One Sweet Runner defeated AJs Anna Smoke to set the fastest qualifying time in the Governor's Cup Derby trials.
© Scott Martinez
Hot Hitter (2011-10), Hard Hitting (2009-08), Separatist (2000-1999), Corona Cash (1998-97), Corona Chick (1992-91), and Aladuino (1983-82) are the previous runners to have swept the Governor’s Cup series.

To be ridden by Cesar De Alba for trainer John Cooper, AJS Anna Smoke will come after running second to J. Francisco Diaz’s fastest qualifier One Sweet Runner. As a 2-year-old, AJS Anna Smoke won five of 10 starts and $235,790 in earnings. In addition to his three-quarter length win in the Governor’s Cup Futurity, the Separatist gelding also competed in the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity and Grade 1 Golden State Million Futurity.

Trained by Diaz’s son, Lindolfo Diaz, One Sweet Runner looked super when winning his derby trial in wire-to-wire fashion by a half-length. One Sweet Runner is from the family of the Grade 1 winning mare Running Back, who Diaz also campaigned. Running Bac has been a fine producer, as she's also the mother of Bac In Front, the winner of the PCQHRA Breeders Derby and La Primera Del Ano Derby in 2015.

Kolleen Ledgerwood's Renewed, the second fastest qualifier after his trial win, will make his second stakes appearance when he takes part in the Governor’s Cup Derby. Trained by Roberto Dominguez, Renewed competed in last year’s Golden State Million Futurity and enter with six top two finishes from nine career starts. The field for the derby will also include Grade 1 finalist Katella Deli and 2016 futurity finalists American Force, Myfavoritestreaker, A Bit Quirky, and Kiddy Up Cowgirl. Evil Genius and Western Coast will complete the field.

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.