Page 29 - October 2015

All American Derby-G1
APOLLITICAL BLOOD
by Tracy Gantz
Twice before, trainer Juan Aleman has come close to capturing the rich All American Derby-G1. In 2010, he trained Apollitical
Jess to finish second by only a neck to Double Down Special, and in 2013 Bon Accord also lost by a neck to Feature Hero. Thus, to finally win the race, and with a son of Apollitical
Jess, was a major accomplishment for Aleman, trainer of this year’s All American Derby win- ner, California-bred Apollitical Blood.
Aleman knows how difficult the race is, saying, “Just to qualify into that race is a great accomplishment. To be in a race of that magni- tude—the largest derby in the country—I was happy and blessed to win it.”
The trainer acknowledges that racing luck always plays a huge role. In the Sept. 6 All American Derby, jockey Eduardo Nicasio got Apollitical Blood away in excellent order from
post two. The favorite, Kiss My Hocks, wasn’t nearly as lucky. He was squeezed back at the start from post eight after hesitating and could never get into contention, ultimately finishing last.
Meanwhile, Apollitical Blood had the field well in hand throughout the 440 yards. He took the lead right after the start and won by 1 3/4 lengths in :21.222.
“We got away clean, and he was right there for about 100-200 yards,” said Aleman. “After that, he started pulling away from them. Once I started seeing him pull away, I thought we had a good chance to win, especially the way he’s been finishing.”
Aleman trains Apollitical Blood for Juan Tirado’s Rancho el Cabresto Inc., also the owner of Apollitical Jess. At two, Apollitical Blood won three of nine races and finished sec- ond in the Golden State Million Futurity-G1
at Los Alamitos. He qualified for both the All American Futurity-G1 and the Los Alamitos $2 Million Futurity-G1, finishing fourth and sixth, respectively, in the finals. Following the Los Alamitos $2 Million Futurity in December, he was away from the races for almost seven months.
“He had minor surgery on his knees,” said Aleman. “He had small chips, and we took those out. We gave him plenty of time off. Our goal was to go up to Ruidoso again.”
Apollitical Blood was paid into the Rainbow Derby-G1 and the All American Derby-G1. He ran fourth in his Rainbow trial after a rough start.
“He got invited to the consolation,” said Aleman, “but we decided to wait for the All American trials.”
Rancho el Cabresto obtained Apollitical Blood through an embryo-sharing agreement
Apollitical Blood & jockey Eduardo Nicasio return after winning the All American Derby by 1 3/4-lengths
SPEEDHORSE, October 2015 27
(c)Linda Earley Photography