DOUBLE DOWN 123, FLYING COWGIRL 321 TOP TRIALS TO JOHN DEERE CALIFORNIA JUVENILE
123, 321 either way the juveniles sired by Flying Cowboy 123 enjoyed a successful night during the trials to the John Deere California Juvenile Challenge on Saturday at Los Alamitos.
Three trials at 350 yards each were conducted during the evening with the 2-year-olds with the 10 fastest times advancing to the John Deere California final to be held here on August 12. Leading the way on trials night was Taos River Ranch and Randy Young’s Double Down 123, the winner of the Grade 2 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity on May 14, who returned to action to win the opening heat in the fastest qualifying time of :17.870.
Sired by Flying Cowboy 123, the Bob and Jerry Gaston-bred filly did not travel on a straight path down the straightaway, but she still managed to score a ¾ length victory to improve her record to two wins from four starts. Ridden by Armando Cervantes for trainer Monty Arrossa, Double Down 123 was making her first start since her Kindergarten victory.
Flying Cowboy 123 also sired the Oregon-bred filly Flying Cowgirl 321, who won the third trial in the second fastest qualifying time of :17.979. Owned and bred by Don and Peggy Boyle and trained by Paul Jones, Flying Cowgirl 321 ran a big race, as she was fourth during the early part of her trial before living up to her name and flying late to win by a nose over Keith Nellesen’s Kindergarten finalist Kevins Knockout.
“She really ran a gutsy race,” Jones said of his trainee. “They gave her room to run, and she had the opportunity to finish well. She’s a great big filly and has a big stride to her. She has a really good run at the end of it and that helped her quite a bit. She leveled out and came on running at the end of it. It was nice to see her make up the ground and get the win.
“Don and Peggy Boyle have had horses with me for many years. They’re great people and have been loyal clients for me and a big part of my stable ever since (champion) Strawkins. They’re having fun and I’m glad to bring home a win for them.”
Flying Cowgirl 321 has won two of her four career starts and entered this race after an impressive maiden victory by ¾ lengths on June 17.
Oscar Parra’s Attacked, third in the Fred Scane Stakes on June 17, finished with the third fastest qualifying time of :17.983 following his runner-up effort to Double Down 123 in the first trial. The colt by Seperate Interest has finished in the top three in all five of his career starts. Kevins Knockout, a Kindergarten trial winner, completes the top four qualifiers after covering the distance in :17.985 while running second to Flying Cowgirl 321.
Here’s the complete list of qualifiers: Double Down 123 (;17.870), Flying Cowgirl (17.979), Attacked (:17.983), Kevins Knockout (:17.985), MV Royal Pappasito (:18.017), Jess Dynasty Time (:18.049), Wicked Cowgirl Smart (:18.093), Choosen One (:18.094), Tooele (:18.112), and Sweet Bet (:18.112).
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