Page 129 - May 2016

El Primero Del Ano Derby-G3
RITE REGAL
by Tracy Gantz
Sweating out a stewards’ inquiry is never fun, but the stewards took much longer than usual to consider the running of the El Primero Del Ano Derby-G3 at Los Alamitos on April 3, causing Jose Flores, trainer of Rite Regal, some anxious minutes. The issue was whether Rite Regal, who had finished 1st, had cost Chicks Fayvorite a placing when he lugged in from his outside post position. “It’s the stewards’ deci- sion, and I have to respect that no matter what,” said Flores. “But, I really thought my horse
was in front over a length. I understand—if I impede somebody from making more money,
I should be taken down. I think they made the right call, but they sure gave me a scare.”
Rite Regal has lugged in before and “the 10 hole doesn’t help,” Flores acknowledged. When the gate opened, Flores’ other entry, We Like Corona, grabbed the lead from the 2-post. Rite Regal was never far behind him, while Chicks Fayvorite was 5th, mere noses and necks sepa- rating the 1st half of the field. As Rite Regal strived for the finish line, he began to lug in. “Rite Regal was alone, and he lugged in looking for competition,” said jockey Ramon Sanchez. “I tried everything I could to not bother anyone, but things happen.”
Rite Regal reached the wire first by a head, completing the 400 yards in :19.777. The
stewards ultimately deter- mined that Rite Regal did
not cost Chicks Fayvorite a placing and made no change, leaving Rite Regal the winner.
Flores said that he had
made some equipment changes
and has been working with
Rite Regal on his habit for
lugging in. The gelding had
trouble in both of his previous
stakes attempts, finishing fifth
in the Los Alamitos Juvenile
Invitational and sixth in the Los Alamitos Winter Derby-G1, but he has been nearly spotless in his other races, winning four and dead-heating for second by a nose in his March 13 El Primero trial.
Flores trains Rite Regal for the Urschel
3-D Ranch LLC of the late Dan Urschel and
his wife, Jolene. The Urschels raced Triple Crown winner Special Effort, the 1981 World Champion. “All of the Urschels have been real good to me,” said Flores. “It’s a good race for Mrs. Urschel. We’ve been trying to get this horse to have a stakes win. It’s been really rough for this horse, but now he’s back on track, I think.”
Rite Regal could remain in California, since he is eligible to several derbies there. “They had not raced here at Los Alamitos in a
while, so it’s great to have the Urschels back in California,” said Flores. “They’re a truly great part of our industry.”
Dr. Steve Burns bred Rite Regal in California by crossing unraced A Regal Classic with Favorite Cartel, who stands
at Burns Ranch in Menifee, Calif. The mare has produced two starters, both winners.
It was a good weekend for Favorite Trick-line stallions at
Los Alamitos. Favorite Trick, the Thoroughbred Horse of the Year of 1997, is the paternal grand- sire of both Rite Regal and La Primera Del Ano Derby-G3 winner Jess Good Reason.
Ronald Hartley’s My Favorite Check (Favorite Cartel-Six Checks) was 2nd under Tony Guymon for trainer John Cooper. Flores also trained 3rd-place We Like Corona (Corona Cartel-Jess Jets), ridden by Cruz Mendez for owner Howard Nichols. Followed by El Compa JV (Mr Jess Perry-My Lady First), Mi Viejo (Mr Jess Perry-Lady Of Lake-TB), Chicks Fayvorite (Favorite Cartel- Chicks Tell), Dom Perry Own (Mr Jess Perry- Champagne Lane), Over Limits (Foose-Warm
It Up), El Karma (TR Dasher-Sonora Cartel) & Eternity (First Down Dash-Jakes Jockmo).
Los Alamitos $210,000 • 400 yards :19.777 • si 91
Favorite Trick TB
Favorite Cartel
Shenoshercorona
RITE REGAL, ‘13-g.
A Regal Choice
A Regal Classic
Classic Reach
Rite Regal & Ramon Sanchez win the $210,000 El Primero Del Ano Derby-G3
SPEEDHORSE, May 2016 127
RACING NEWS
Los Alamitos