Two strong efforts in futurity trials last year establish Steve Burns’ In The Lead as a top contender in Saturday’s featured $12,900 allowance at Los Alamitos.

© William Zuazo

By Orlando Gutierrez

CYPRESS, CALIFORNIA–JANUARY 29, 2026– Two strong efforts in futurity trials last year establish Steve Burns’ In The Lead as a top contender in Saturday’s featured $12,900 allowance at Los Alamitos.

The 350-yard dash is part of an eight-race card, with the first post scheduled for 6 p.m. To be ridden by Jonathan Roman for trainer Mike Casselman, In The Lead won her trial for the Golden State Million Futurity by a neck, defeating a field that included Grade 1 finalist Vyper. Two starts back, the Favorite Cartel filly finished third to the well-regarded Fancy Upp in their trial for the PCQHRA Breeders Futurity. While she hasn’t raced since the Golden State trials, she enters Saturday with a solid workout posted on January 9.

Her primary challenger could be J. Francisco Diaz’s Checkn Eagle, who recently finished second to the talented Slatedtoshine. In the trials for the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million, Checkn Eagle also ran a strong third behind Toby Sis, the eventual winner of the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. Four others round out the field.

2026 LOS ALAMITOS WALL CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

The Los Alamitos Race Course Wall Calendar 2026 edition will be given away on-track on Saturday night. Patrons will receive their free calendar with their paid grandstand admission after 4:30 p.m. Grandstand admission is $3. The Los Alamitos Wall Calendar also features the complete Quarter Horse stakes schedule, the nighttime and daytime racing dates and more. The calendar will also include the month of January 2027.

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

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