Trainer Paul Jones swept both of divisions of the $15,000 Snowbound Superstar Handicap at 870 yards, which are named in honor of his former champion trainee, with JB Gray Dawn and Ballast Point on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Ramon Guce, JB Gray Dawn went wire-to-wire in the opening division, taking a half-length lead early on before cruising to a two length decision over five rivals. Owned and bred by James Burgess, the gelding by Heza Fast Dash covered the distance in :45.116 over a sloppy track while recording his sixth win in 18 starts. Multiple stakes winner Run Raging Rhino Run, a Quarter Horse sired by FDD Dynasty, ran second, while the Thoroughbred Ridgefield Rocket finished third.  

“It’s really nice to get the 870 program back going at Los Alamitos,” Jones said. “Since Snowbound Superstar, it’s kind of been down a little, but it’s starting to pick back up. It’s about trying to get more Quarter Horses going at the 870 yard distance. We started these two and they’re both going really well. They both ran super tonight. I couldn’t ask for any better.”

Guce piloted Jones and Thompson Racing’s Ballast Point to the lead right out the gate, but he was challenged by Ron Martin’s Loan Sharky around the turn. Down the stretch, Ballast Point began to dominate, eventually crossing the wire four lengths ahead of runner-up Loan Sharky. Also contested over a sloppy track, Ballast Point’s winning time was :44.687. This was his third win in 12 outings.

“Ramon Guce did a wonderful job. The only thing I told him before the race is to come back with his (riding gear) still clean. He came back and his pants were completely clean because he was on the lead the whole way.  The both went wire-to-wire and I couldn’t be any happier.”

Ballast Point, a 3-year-old gelding by Favorite Cartel, was bred by Dr. Steve Burns. He came into this race after running second in the Scott Lewis Handicap. Two races back, Ballast Point won an 870-yard race by four lengths.  

“That was always the plan to run 870,” Jones said. “We tried him at 550 first because the opportunities came up. He ran well going 550 and he loves 870. I’m just thrilled with his performance.”

JB Gray Dawn and Ballast Point each earned $8,250 for winning their respective heats. This races were named in honor of Snowbound Superstar, the AQHA distance champion in 2006 and 2007.

“Snowbound Superstar is one of my all-time favorite horses and definitely one of the all-time greats, Jones explained. “

Loan Sharky finished second to Ballast Point in their race. Miss That Kat ran third.

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