Page 49 - 27 April 2012

La Primera Del Ano Derby-G3
FLAME n FLASh
by Tracy Gantz
Flame N Flash was just what the doctor ordered for owner Robert H. Williams. The filly defeated seven others to capture the
April 6 La Primera Del Ano Derby-G3 at Los Alamitos in California.
“I was so happy to be able to give him the win,” said trainer Juan Aleman. “Mr. Williams has been ill, but he watched the race from his home in Utah and was very pleased.”
Aleman has trained for Williams since last year. He has six horses for the owner, including a couple of promising 2-year-olds by Mr Jess Perry named Watch Linda Ballet and Perrys Affair.
In the La Primera, Flame N Flash broke
a step slowly, but she recovered in one stride
to take the lead. Zooming up the rail under jockey Francisco Rubio, she led throughout the 400 yards. First Prize Habit came on to chal- lenge from the outside, but she wasn’t quick enough to catch Flame N Flash, who won by a half-length in :19.916.
“The rider said she took a step backward as they popped the gate,” said Aleman. “Once she hit the ground, she was right with them.”
Rubio called the filly “honest and consistent.”
Before Aleman took over Flame N Flash’s training, the filly won two of five starts
and finished second in the 2011 California Breeders Freshman Futurity. Under Aleman’s tutelage, she won the Dec. 11 Los Alamitos Juvenile Invitational Stakes and finished fourth in the Los Alamitos Winter Derby-G1
in five starts prior to the La Primera.
“She ran a good race
in the Winter Derby,
and that was against
some tough colts and
geldings like Kobe and
Deniro,” said Aleman. “I
knew that against fillies
she would have a good shot to win this race.”
The La Primera was held the day before the companion race for males, the El Primero Del Ano Derby-G2. Kobe, who won the Winter Derby, finished second in the El Primero to New Look.
“Flame N Flash is wonderful to train,” said Aleman. “She’s all business when going to the track, and she’s easy to take care of around the barn. She gives you everything she’s got every time.”
For that reason, Aleman told Rubio before her trial to be sure to save something for the final.
“She qualified as the third fastest,” said the trainer. “He didn’t really use her in the trial.” Nevertheless, Flame N Flash won her trial
by a half-length. She will now get some time off, said Aleman.
“She deserves it,” he said. “We’ll turn her out and let her be a horse.”
Flame N Flash’s next goal, according to Aleman, will likely be the Los Alamitos Super Derby-G1, with trials on Oct. 14 and the final
on Nov. 3. She could also compete in the Sept. 30 Mildred N. Vessels Memorial Handicap-G1.
Williams bought Flame N Flash for $90,000 at the 2010 Los Alamitos Equine Sale. Dr. Ed Allred bred the filly in California out of 1988 Golden West Stakes winner Oh La Proud. The mare has
produced six stakes winners and three stakes- placed horses among her 17 winners from 27 starters. Those runners include champions Hawkish and Hawkinson.
Rodrigo Aceves, who won the El Primero aboard New Look, finished second in the La Primera on First Prize Habit (First Prize Perry- Sheza Habit). Felipe Quintero trains her for Bustardo Horse Racing LLC. In seven starts prior to the La Primera final, First Prize Habit has won once.
Ugo De La Torre trains third-place Zoomdasher (Azoom-Dashing Little Reba) for his brothers Jose and Gustavo. Ramon Sanchez rode her in both her trial and final. Zoomdasher has won two of nine starts.
Rounding out the field were Natalie Dash (First Down Dash-A Tempting Chick), This Boogie Fires (Walk Thru Fire-Boogie Special), A First Down Snow (First Down Dash-Springtime Snow), Sex On Fire (Walk Thru Fire-Kimbo With Class), and Sweetest Illusion (Mr Jess Perry-Alethia). Chickitita was scratched.
Los Alamitos $210,014 • 400 yards :19.916 • si 81
First Down Dash
Walk Thru Fire
Sweet Beduino
FLAME N FLASH, ’09-f.
Shirley’s Champion-TB
Oh La Proud
Oh La Ree
Flame N Flash goes wire-to-wire in the $210,014 Grade 3 La Primera Del Ano Derby at Los Alamitos.
SPEEDHORSE, April 27, 2012 47
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