Hi Octane Headlines Grade 2, $171,900 Golden State Derby Final Saturday At Los Alamitos

Already a PCQHRA champion, top qualifier Hi Octane will now aim to become a major graded derby winner when he leads a strong lineup of sophomores in the Grade 2, $171,900 Golden State Derby on Saturday night at Los Alamitos.

A big-time showdown is set as ten of the meet’s sharpest 3-year-olds clash over 400 yards. This prestigious event has a rich history wrapping up the summer derby season at Cypress, with a star-studded list of recent winners that includes Champion of Champions-bound Favorite Jesshawk, Heza Dasha Fire, Jesstacartel, and Party Politics. The 2026 renewal brings together a highly competitive field led by trial winners Hi Octane, You Are The Best, and Fancy Upp following their big performances on trials night on August 21.

Hi Octane Fueling the Spotlight

Keith Nellesen’s homebred Hi Octane heads into the final as the horse to beat after setting the fastest qualifying mark of :19.912 from post eight. Making his 2026 local debut, the PCQHRA Champion 2-Year-Old Gelding proved he hasn't lost an ounce of his signature late punch over the Orange County strip. Guided by Rodrigo Sigala Vallejo for trainer Kristen Watanabe, the son of Apollitical Jess overcame a slightly slow start before unleashing a relentless drive to win his trial by a nose.

The victory was a reminder of the talent that earned Hi Octane three wins from eight starts as a juvenile, highlighted by a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. Now older, stronger, and impressive in his return to Cypress, the gelding looks primed and ready to chase his first career derby crown. Sigala Vallejo returns to the saddle looking to keep his perfect local season intact, as the veteran rider is 4-for-4 aboard his mounts at Los Alamitos this year.

"He was a little slow at the break, but later on he responded well and ran a very good race," Sigala Vallejo said. "He drifted to the right a little bit, but it was just part of the race; it wasn't much. The majority of horses mature, and they start doing things much better. Hi Octane was a little bit difficult last year, but now with age, I think he'll keep running better."

You Are The Best Gears Up for Final Surge

Bradbury Racing’s homebred filly You Are The Best enters the final full of momentum after posting a dominant, gate-to-wire victory in the trial night finale. Conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Paul Jones, the daughter of Favorite Cartel drew post nine and will have Ricardo Ramirez back aboard after stopping the clock in :19.921—the second-fastest qualifying time of the night—winning by a comfortable half-length.

A finalist in the Los Alamitos Oaks earlier this season, You Are The Best has been a model of consistency throughout her 11-race campaign, compiling eight top-three finishes. Her sharp gate speed from the outside post position makes her a strong candidate to deliver another big performance.

"She behaved herself (on trial night)," Jones said. "She got a nice break, and Ricardo Ramirez did a good job with the pick-up mount. She got a good, clean trip, and that's all it took."

Fancy Upp Leads a Strong Female Contingent

Kolleen Ledgerwood’s Fancy Upp proved once again that when at her best, she belongs among the division’s elite, capturing the opening trial in a sharp :19.966. Trained by Cesar De Alba, she will break from post six with jockey Cesar Franco. The Favorite Cartel filly broke cleanly in her trial and held off a late surge from her rivals to record her fifth major stakes qualification.

Fancy Upp’s impressive resume includes a third-place finish in the Governor's Cup Futurity as a 2-year-old and a solid fourth-place run in the Governor's Cup Derby earlier this summer. Breaking from the middle of the track, she headlines a talented group of fillies looking to upend the boys in the final.

"She had a tremendous start," Franco said. "It was the best start she's had in quite some time, and that was the key to the win. She broke well, she took off, and she didn't stop. She likes the competition. At the end, the others started getting close, but she didn't let them past."

Deep Field of Chasers Ready to Strike

The interior and exterior posts feature a stacked lineup of proven contenders ready to capitalize on any early missteps:

• 1. Morning Star K (Martin Arriaga) – :20.148 | Draws the rail after a grinding third-place effort behind You Are The Best.
• 2. Hurry Up (Gabriel Lara) – :19.924 | Ed Allred’s homebred gelding pressed Hi Octane all the way in the trials, missing by a nose for the third-fastest time.
• 3. Warmly (Armando Cervantes) – :20.015 | The Scott Willoughby trainee and Jens List Stakes winner brings proven closing power from post three.
• 4. Walk When I Walk (Oscar Peinado) – :20.008 | Woodhouse-Singleton Racing’s multiple stakes finalist enters off a tight runner-up finish to Fancy Upp.
• 5. French Valley (Justine Klaiber) – :19.964 | Former G1 Ed Burke Million runner-up displays blistering early foot from the middle of the gate. Leading rider Justine Klaiber will pilot the Mike Casselman-trainee.
• 7. Cowboy Country 123 (Irving Lara) – :20.035 | Graded futurity finalist earned his spot with a solid runner-up trial finish.
• 10. Cmhowaboutthemcowboy (Ruben Lozano) – :20.017 | Adequan California Derby Challenge winner breaks from the far outside post. Owned by Randy Dickerson and trained by Luke Lindsey, he brings upset pedigree back into the gate.