Aint He Tempting wins Southern California Derby from rail by a head

Aint He Tempting won the richest race of his career in Sunday’s $162,700 Southern California Derby at Los Alamitos, the track’s final stakes of 2023 with a six-figure purse.

Starting from the inside post in a field of nine, Aint He Tempting ($4.20) held off a resilient Required First, who raced on the outside of the field. Aint He Tempting, who was ridden by Armanda Cervantes for trainer Monty Arrossa, ran 400 yards in 19.73 seconds and won by a head.

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Required First (6-1) finished a nose in front of 2-1 Dont Sass Kvn, the fastest qualifier from time trials on Nov. 26.

Sent off favored, Aint He Tempting had the second-fastest qualifying time.

Owned by Matt and Bendi Dunn, Aint He Tempting won his third consecutive start in the Southern California Derby, a winning streak that includes a minor handicap at 350 yards on Nov. 12 and the Southern California Derby trial.

By Tempting Dash, Aint He Tempting has won 6 of 13 starts and earned $262,419. He was purchased for $120,000 as a yearling in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico.

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