The stellar fillies Apollitical Patty and J Best Boogie (photo) enjoyed spectacular winning debuts on Friday night at Los Alamitos. Racing for Walker Family Trust, Apollitical Patty began her career in style, as the daughter of Apollitical Blood led from start to finish on the way to posting a 1 ¾ length victory in the fifth race on Friday night. Ridden by Armando Cervantes for trainer Monty Arrossa, Apollitical Patty covered the 300 yards in :15.479. Her winning time is the fastest clocking posted by a debuting 2-year-old this season. Her time is also the third fastest by a 2-year-old at this meet, only behind Chance To Excel’s :15.449 in his second start on May 16 and La Jaconde’s :15.475 in her third start when winning the Grade II Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity on May 17.
The victory was a special one for Arrossa in more ways than one, as the filly is campaigned by the family of the late Jim Walker, who bred the filly and campaigned her older half-brother, the 2016 Champion of Champions winner Zoomin For Spuds.
“This is a very special one,” Arrossa said. “I just wish Jim could be here to see her. I am proud of his hard work and good breeding. This is the first horse that Jim’s widow, JoAn, has campaigned. This is a very special win, very emotional. I am very happy for them.”
Apollitical Patty left the gate in rocketing style and a daylight advantage about 100 yards into the races. She was in complete control from there, finishing the final 220 yards in a strong time of :09.71. The effort did not come as a surprise to Arrossa based on what the filly out of A Perfect Cocktail had shown in morning works.
“She has been awesome in both of her workouts. She is in the (GI) Golden State Million and (GI) Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. She is paid in the Bitterroot Futurity in Idaho. I’m not sure if we’ll go back with her right now.”
Arrossa added that Apollitical Patty is not eligible to compete in the trials to the Ed Burke Million Futurity on Sunday, June 7.
The Jaime Gomez-owned and trained J Boogie Fire figures to be one of the feature attractions in the Ed Burke trials after scoring a head victory over the sharp starting Political Babbel in the seventh race on Friday night. The filly by Docs Best Card and out of Boogie Special, J Boogie Fires covered the distance in :15.798.
“I think she is one of the best ones in my barn,” Gomez said. “The babies sired by my stallion Docs Best Card are doing great. He has four winners already and a lot of them have looked good. Coopers Best Card, who is also by Docs Best Card, also won on Friday night. He only has 25 babies this year. I have been lucky this year. I have a lot of nice babies.”
Docs Best Card, who stands at Bob Moore Farms in Norman, Oklahoma, is also the sire of local winners The Best Feeling and Thats R Best Card.
As for J Boogie Fires, the Rick Beck-bred filly was ridden to victory by Oscar Peinado.
Peinado, who has now piloted a meet’s best 15 2-year-old winners, rode Adrian Oliva’s Coopers Best Card to victory in the sixth race on Friday. The Lisa Anderson-bred gelding covered the distance in :15.874 to win in his second career start.
“I’ve been so fortunate this year,” Peinado said. “I am working hard and giving it my all, but I’ve had a lot of good luck. I have been helping Jaime and I know the horses well now. I am also helping Mike Robbins and he has some outstanding 2-year-olds as well. I am fortunate to work equally with both great barns. I will continue to work hard and keep this going.”
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