American Dreamin can clinch title in Los Alamitos Two Million

After American Dreamin won the $1.04 million Golden State Million at Los Alamitos on Oct. 27, trainer Monty Arrossa described the final major futurity of the year – Sunday’s $1.8 million Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity – as “our Super Bowl.”

American Dreamin qualified for the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity with a trial race win on Nov. 24, and can clinch the title of champion 2-year-old filly of 2024 with a win in Sunday’s 400-yard final.

To win the track’s richest race, American Dreamin must beat a tough field in her seventh start. Owned by Matt and Bendi Dunn, American Dreamin has thrived since being sent to Los Alamitos at the end of the summer, going unbeaten in four starts. Earlier in the year, she was third in time trials for futurities at Ruidoso Downs and the Downs at Albuquerque.

“She’s grown up and she’s matured mentally and physically,” trainer Monty Arrossa said. “It was nice to get her settled in one spot.”

American Dreamin won the Golden State Million Futurity at 400 yards by a half-length over Lethal Cowboy 123, who is part of Sunday’s field.

In the Two Million Futurity time trials, American Dreamin was timed in 19.95 seconds, good enough for the seventh-fastest qualifying time. Arrossa thought an incident before the trial dulled American Dreamin’s performance.

“There was a commotion in the gate,” he said. “She didn’t break like she can.”

American Dreamin can become the eighth horse to sweep the Golden State Million and Los Alamitos Two Million futurities since the Two Million was launched in 1995. Trane Station V won both races last year.

American Dreamin starts from post 10 in the Two Million Futurity, which was Arrossa’s selection when post positions were drawn on Wednesday. The filly is adjacent to fastest qualifier Brown Coffeee, who will have his stakes debut on Sunday.

Trained by Heath Taylor, Brown Coffeee was timed in 19.76 in the trials. The lack of stakes experience is a concern for Taylor.

“He looked good in his trial,” Taylor said. “He’s got to beat proven horses that are battle-tested in these kind of races.”

Lethal Cowboy 123, a trial race winner in 19.79, and Walking Tool, a trial race winner in 19.82, are two other well-regarded starters.

Walking Tool is unbeaten in four starts, all since mid-August, including the minor Ah Sigh Handicap at 400 yards on Oct. 27. In the Two Million trials, Walking Tool was dominant, winning by 1 3/4 lengths in 19.82.

“He keeps improving and leaving the gate strong,” trainer Jose Flores said. “He’s really showed a lot of talent.”