Page 154 - Speedhorse December 2019

Los Alamitos Closing Weekend
Southern California Derby-G2
MISTER APPOLITICAL
by Tracy Gantz
Patience proved the key to Mister Appolitical, who repaid it by scoring in the Dec. 13 Southern California Derby-G2
at Los Alamitos for Pete & Evelyn Parrella’s Legacy Ranch.
“He’s a pretty nice runner,” said Pete. “The guys at the ranch gave this
horse some time. It seems
to have helped him.”
Mister Appolitical started twice early in
2019 and then didn’t race from February until mid- September. He responded with four consecutive victories: his trial and final in the PCQHRA Breeders’ Derby-G3 and his trial and final in the Southern California Derby.
In the $168,700
Southern California Derby finals, Mister Appolitical went off as the 9-10 favorite, having qualified the fastest with a wire-to- wire 1 1/2-length win.
Ridden by Jesus Ayala, Mister Appolitical broke on top and continued to add to his lead throughout the 400 yards, winning by 1 1/2 lengths in :19.722.
“He was a little nervous in the starting gate,” said Ayala. “He didn’t have a particularly
great start, but he’s a very con- sistent horse. He’s a fighter—he will give you his all.”
Terry Knight trains Mister Appolitical for Legacy, which bred the gelding in California.
“After he qualified, we got some calls from people want- ing to buy him,” said Pete. “I called Terry and I told him, ‘I don’t know how you feel about this, but I’d really like to run this horse as a four year old next year.’ I’m happy for the ranch.”
Mister Appolitical is out of Legacy Ranch homebred winner LR Miss Atina. The second dam is Legacy-raced Thoroughbred Bella Banissa, a graded stakes-placed earner of
Jockey Jesus Ayala with Pete & Evelyn Parrella of Legacy Ranch, owners of Mister Appolitical.
$199,684. LR Miss Atina has produced three starters/winners.
Eduardo Nicasio rode Tac Me Up
(Kiddy Up-Tacatrina) to second for trainer Christopher O’Dell and owners Ruth Barbour and Colten and Wendy O’Dell.
Dexxter (Corona Cartel-Tres Of Linda) finished third for jockey Jose Nicasio, trainer Jaime Gomez, and owner Howard Nichols.
Followed by Chocolatito (Favorite Cartel- Enjoy The Walk), Symbol Of Faith (Tac It Like
A Man-Answer The Dream), Corona By Corona (Corona Cartel-Louisana Corona), Jess Flashee (First Moonflash-Jess And Molly), Jess Send It (Corona Cartel-Jess Send Me), Galloping Goddess (One Sweet Jess-Ingrate Queen), and Red Hawk Cartel (Favorite Cartel-Red Hawk Chick).
Los Alamitos $168,700 • 400 yards :19.722 • si 94
Mr Jess Perry
Apollitical Jess
Apollitical Time
MISTER APPOLITICAL, ’16-g.
Corona Cartel
LR Miss Atina
Bella Banissa TB
Jockey Jesus Ayala and Mister Appolitical.win the $168,700 Southern California Derby
Los Alamitos Scott Martinez - Los Alamitos