CANDY BLOOD DOMINATES HOLIDAY HANDICAP AT LOS ALAMITOS

      Rick Sumner’s homebred Candy Blood had a terrific California debut in the $20,000 Holiday Handicap, as he broke sharply from post one and was never challenged on the way to a three length victory on the meet’s opening night on Saturday at Los Alamitos Race Course.

          Ridden by Raul Valenzuela for trainer Monty Arrossa, Candy Blood was picking up his fourth win in seven starts while racing for the first time at Los Alamitos. The gelding by Apollitical Blood had previously raced and won at both Ruidoso Downs and Remington Park while enjoying stakes success. Candy Blood was fourth to Shott Gun in the Heritage Place Futurity on May 30 and also finished fourth in the All American Juvenile on Labor Day weekend. In the Holiday, Candy Blood covered the 350 yards in :17.670, while earning $11,000 to take his career earnings over the $100,000 mark to $107,528.

          “The horse broke good and first 50 yards he was gone,” Valenzuela said. “No one put pressure on him from the get-go. He did it on his own easy. Coming to the finish line, he kind of pricked up his ears and I just gave him a tap. He’s a good horse. This is my first time riding him. I rode in Ruidoso and I’ve seen this horse throughout his whole 2-year-old year. I knew he was a good horse.”  

          Jim Nebeker’s No Hesitation, the winner of the Utah Futurity in late July, earned $4,500 for his runner-up effort in this race. Bred by Richard Frandsen, No Hesitation is a gelding by Favorite Cartel and out of the solid producer Mia Ta Fame. No Hesitation has now earned $50,400 from seven career starts. Jesus Valenzuela was aboard.

          H & E Ranch’s Sassies Blues Girl, also by Favorite Cartel and out of the champion mare Sass Me Blue, earned $2,500 for running third. Ruben Lozano piloted for trainer Mike Casselman. Flight Queen and Strange Fellow completed the field.

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