Challenge


Ilushion Eagle Hopes To Fly In Los Alamitos Adequan Derby Challenge
lushion Eagle leads a solid field of six in the $30,000 Adequan California Derby Challenge at 400 yards on Sunday.

© Scott Martinez
Ilushion Eagle Hopes To Fly In Los Alamitos Adequan Derby Challenge

LOS ALAMITOS, CA—MAY 20, 2021—Salome Gallegos’ Ilushion Eagle is back in a big race at Los Alamitos when he leads a solid field of six in the $30,000 Adequan California Derby Challenge at 400 yards on Sunday.

The gelding by One Fabulous Eagle was terrific this winter, winning three consecutive starts in impressive fashion over a six-week span. He was then scratched out of the $100,000 Los Alamitos Maiden Stakes after becoming fractious in the starting gate on February 21 before returning to finish third when facing multiple stakes winner Black Fryday on May 2.

With that start under his belt, he will be tough to beat in his second start off the layoff. Oscar Peinado will saddle the Darling Farms-bred runner for trainer Jaime Gomez.

Wesley Oulton’s homebred Eyesa Timber will make his California debut after enjoying a championship campaign in 2020. As a 2-year-old, the gelding by First Timber was named the Canadian champion racing quarter horse at the 2020 American Quarter Horse Association champions ceremony earlier this year. He won four of seven starts and earned $56,491 last year, while winning the Alberta Futurity and Canada Cup Futurity.

As proud as Oulton is of Eyesa Timber, he’s just as proud of First Timber, who he owns and has seen him become the leading sire in Alberta for the last seven years. Victor Salazar will ride Eyesa Timber for trainer Scott Willoughby. Salazar was aboard the brown gelding during a turn and work at 350-yards under the lights here on Saturday night, May 1. He covered the distance in a solid :17.80. Eyesa Timber also posted a gate work at Los Alamitos in :18 flat on March 27.

Dan Moon’s Jet Wings One will be making his sophomore debut as well, his first start since running second in the Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity last year. The Monty Arrossa-trainee won his first two career starts, including a 1-¾ length victory in his Kindergarten trial, before finishing a head behind La Jaconde in the Grade 2 final. He’ll come into this race after an :18.30 gate work on May 8. Los Alamitos Oaks finalist Diva On Fire, the allowance placed

Your Painted Fate and Remington Oklahoma-bred Futurity finalist A Dash Of Sign will complete the field.

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For more info, please contact larace@losalamitos.com. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @losalracing or visit us online at www.losalamitos.com.