Fastest Qualifier Hi Octane Powers To First Stakes Win In Grade 2, $171,900 Golden State Derby At Los Alamitos

Keith Nellesen’s homebred Hi Octane lived up to his billing as the race favorite and top qualifier, delivering a power-packed performance to win the Grade 2, $171,900 Golden State Derby on Saturday night at Los Alamitos.

Already a PCQHRA champion as a 2-year-old, the sorrel gelding scored the first stakes win of his career after previously capturing four stakes trials, including setting the fastest qualifying time for this final as well as winning his trial for the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity last season, where he went on to finish third.

Ridden by veteran jockey Rodrigo Sigala Vallejo for trainer Kristen Watanabe, Hi Octane brushed with a rival coming out of the gate from post eight and was third during the early part of the race. He quickly found his rhythm, taking the lead midway through and pulling away late to secure a 3/4-length victory over 9-1 longshot Fancy Upp.

The son of Apollitical Jess covered the 400 yards in :19.591 to score his sixth win in 13 career starts and boosted his lifetime bankroll to $338,680. Bred in Utah by Lance & Tammy Finlinson, Hi Octane paid $3.40 to win as the 3-5 favorite. He earned $72,198 for this win.

The triumph kept Sigala Vallejo perfect on his mounts at Los Alamitos this year, extending his record to 5-for-5. His other local stakes victories this season include the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Oaks with Beuteeful and the Florentine Stakes with Curl Happy Wagon.

"He broke well and didn't make any mistakes," said Sigala Vallejo of Hi Octane. "He did everything really well. That's what helped him win. He avoided making errors. I didn't ride him in Louisiana before he came to Los Alamitos this year, but I watched his last race. He stumbled at the start. It was a mistake, but I think the horse corrected them on his own. I am blessed to have enjoyed some big victories and to have the opportunity to ride outstanding horses."

With more than 9,000 Quarter Horse mounts in his career, Sigala Vallejo has ridden 1,567 winners for total earnings exceeding $35 million. His great career includes guiding two-time Champion of Champions winner Empressum, 2017 All American Derby winner Hold Air Hostage, and two-time AQHA World Champion Jessies First Down.

Kolleen Ledgerwood’s Fancy Upp ran a game race to finish second, earning $29,223 for owner Ledgerwood and trainer Cesar De Alba. Ridden by Cesar Franco from post six, the Favorite Cartel filly broke well, held a short lead early, and fought hard to the wire to finish a nose ahead of third-place finisher Cmhowaboutthemcowboy.

Bred by Edward C. Allred, Fancy Upp was making her seventh career appearance in a stakes race. Her impressive resume includes a third-place finish in last year's Governor's Cup Futurity and a fourth-place effort in the Governor's Cup Derby earlier this summer. Finishing in the money in 10 of 15 career starts, Fancy Upp improved her career earnings to $117,805.

Randy Dickerson’s homebred Cmhowaboutthemcowboy put in a strong effort from the far outside post 10 to finish a close third under jockey Ruben Lozano. Trained by Luke Lindsey, the Adequan California Derby Challenge winner earned $20,628 for the effort.

Steve Burns' French Valley, trained by Michael Casselman and ridden by Justine Klaiber, led early before finishing fourth. Kent Kleinknecht’s Morning Star K closed along the rail under Martin Arriaga to finish fifth.

The complete order of finish for the $171,900 Golden State Derby: Hi Octane, Fancy Upp, Cmhowaboutthemcowboy, French Valley, Morning Star K, Walk When I Walk, Hurry Up, Warmly, Cowboy Country 123 and You Are The Best.