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RACING NEWS
Mildred N. Vessels Memorial Handicap-G1
CURLS HAPPY WAGON
by Tracy Gantz
Invader Curls Happy Wagon took on a field of local Los Alamitos runners in the $125,000 Mildred N. Vessels Memorial Handicap-G1
on Sept. 20, and she whipped them all in her California debut.
Juan Aleman took over training Curls Happy Wagon from Stacy Charette-Hill at Los Alamitos for owners/breeders Michael Pohl and Martin Stacy. Last year’s Vessels winner, Tequila Sangria,
went favored at 4-5, with
Curls Happy Wagon the 4-1
second choice. Curls Happy
Wagon, ridden by Armando
Cervantes, jumped out to the
lead immediately and crossed
the finish line 3/4-lengths
the winner. She stopped the
timer in :19.834 for 400
yards.
“She’s been here about 60 days,” said Aleman. “We prepped her, we worked her
just to let her get hold of the track because she had never been here in California. She liked it. She worked really good.”
Previously, Curls Happy Wagon won
two editions of the Decketta Stakes (once G2, once G3) at Remington Park and the 2019 Canterbury Park Distaff Challenge.
Aleman was winning the Mildred Vessels for the fifth time to lead all trainers. He had
previously tied with Bob Gilbert, having saddled Running Bac in 2002, Apollitical Time in 2006, Fovee in 2011, and Flash N Flash in 2012.
“Those wins with Running Bac and Apollitical Time helped me a lot as I was starting out my training career,” said Aleman. “I’ve been fortunate to have these great mares in my barn.”
Pohl and Stacy bred Curls Happy Wagon in Oklahoma
out of Stacy’s homebred multiple graded winner Eye A Spit Curl Girl. The mare has produced one other starter and winner.
Victorioso Dinastia (Favorite Cartel- Forgotten Dynasty), owned by Jeryl Hartley and bred by Ron Hartley, finished second. Juan Leon rode the 3-year-old filly for trainer John Cooper. Victorioso Dinastia was coming off of back-to-back wins. Oscar Andrade Jr. rode Hot Little Kiddy (Kiddy Up-Girls Choice) to third for owner Dr. Ed Allred and trainer Jimmy Glenn. Hot Little Kiddy had just finished second in the Flight 109 Handicap.
Ladys A Cartel (Five Bar Cartel-Significant Lady) and Symbol Of Faith (Tac It Like A Man-Answer The Dream) dead-heated for fourth. Tequila Sangria (Favorite Cartel-Ynot Bar) ran sixth, and One Hot Habit (Walk Thru Fire-Jess Another Habit) finished seventh.
2020 Speedhorse Derby
LAST CHANCE TO ENTER!
Due to severe weather, the 2020 Speedhorse Derby was re- scheduled to be run at Will Rogers Downs with the trial date set for Oct. 24, 2020, and finals to be run on Nov. 14, 2020.
The 2020 Speedhorse Derby will still take nominations until time of entry for the trials. Participants who wish to enter will pay the time of entry payment of $3,750 one time to be entered.
Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity for your 3 year old!
7-Day Grace Period - No Exceptions!
Regular Late
Payment Payment
February 1 $250
350 YARD
SPEEDHORSE DERBY
adjusted $18,750 added
$85,000 estimated
For Three year olds • 124 lbs.
Trials: Oct. 24, 2020 • Finals: Nov. 14, 2020 Will Rogers Downs • Claremore, OK
March 1
April 1
May 1
June 1
TOTAL $1,250
Late Supplement Time of Entry payment to be
made at racetrack • Payment $2,500 + All Payments † Plus All Payments to Date
$250 $100 † $250 $200 † $250 $350 †
$250
$2,000 †
148 SPEEDHORSE October 2020
Los Alamitos
$125,000 • 400 yards :19.834 • si 91
Corona Cartel
PYC Paint Your Wagon
Dashin Follies
CURLS HAPPY WAGON, ‘15-m.
Spit Curl Jess
Eye A Spit Curl Girl
Thisdimplesaniopener
Los Alamitos