Shaken Goin On Dominates Running Of Grade 2 Las Damas Handicap

It’s not often that the outcome of a 400-yard graded stakes race is decided within the first few seconds of its running, but that’s exactly what happened in Saturday’s Grade 2, $60,000 Las Damas Handicap at Los Alamitos.

The outstanding mare Shaken Goin On delivered an immediate and decisive blow to her eight rivals, flying to a daylight lead about 15 yards into the race en route to one of the easiest victories of her sensational 21-race career. Ridden by Justine Klaiber for trainer Eddie Willis, Shaken Goin On held a two-length advantage about 50 yards into the race and widened her lead as the field crossed the gap with about 180 yards to go in the Las Damas. Owned by James Sills and AA Horse Racing Inc., the Oklahoma-bred daughter of Freighttrain B cruised home from there, winning by ¾ length over Gentry Farms’ Ohana Spirit—a truly deceiving winning margin considering how absolutely dominating she was throughout the race.

“She definitely left running today,” Klaiber said. “She was super calm the whole time from the paddock, and then when I got on her, she was super quiet. She was more like herself today. I’m glad it worked out.”

In recording her seventh stakes win at Los Alamitos and ninth win in 11 starts in California, Shaken Goin On covered the 400 yards in :19.732 while earning $33,000 for the win. The 4-year-old has now won 13 races and earned $508,470 during her career. This victory also helped her connections shake off a rare poor effort from their superstar when she finished sixth in the Grade 1 Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap on September 12.

“She didn’t run a very good race the last time we ran her, but she’s been a lot better in the barn, saddling, and everything. You could tell that she was going to run well.”

Willis had no excuses for Shaken Goin On’s out-of-the-money finish in the Millie.

“Sometimes they’re there and sometimes they’re not,” he said. “Maybe we’ll run her in the (James Dreyer) Charger Bar (in January 2027) and then we’ll retire her and breed her. It’s time to let her have some babies. She really likes this place, and as long as they like it, you keep them here.”

Shaken Goin On, the reigning AQHA Champion 3-Year-Old Filly and 2025 PCQHRA Horse of the Year, boasts a glittering resume in 2026. She has now won three Grade 2 events this season, with the Las Damas adding to her victories in the Abigail Kawananakoa Handicap and Miss Princess Handicap. She won the Miss Princess last year as well, adding to a trophy case that features the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Oaks, the Grade 2 Southern California Derby, and the Justanold Love Stakes.

Ridden by Martin Arriaga for trainer Juan Aleman, Ohana Spirit earned $13,500 for her runner-up effort. The daughter of Tempting Dash has finished in the money in 11 of 22 starts, and her career earnings now stand at $282,365. Larry and Bobbie Rice’s AJ Flawless earned $7,500 for running third with Jesus Rios Ayala in the irons for trainer Marc Jungers. Terra Fina, Curl Happy Wagon, Quick She Is, Silver Bac, Bold N Beautiful, and Mumbal completed the field.

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