Apollitical Patty returns from 1-20 debacle in Mildred Vessels Handicap
There was no summer campaign for Apollitical Patty, the brilliant 3-year-old Quarter Horse filly. At least none to speak of.
Yes, Apollitical Patty started in a division of the Golden State Derby trials at Los Alamitos on July 25, but lost jockey Jesus Ayala at the start. Apollitical Patty was 1-20.
Apollitical Patty will race outside of her age group for the first time in Sunday’s $125,000 Mildred Vessels Handicap at 400 yards at Los Alamitos. The race will define the rest of the season for the winner, who will receive a berth to the $600,000 Champion of Champions on Dec. 11, a race that often influences year-end championship voting.
Owned by Juliana Hawn Holt and trained by Monty Arrossa, Apollitical Patty has won 8 of 11 starts and earned $1,077,042. She won the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity last December and the Los Alamitos Oaks in March, her prior start prior to the debacle in the Golden State Derby time trial.
The Vessels drew a field of 10, with six 3-year-old fillies in the lineup.
The 4-year-old fillies Kiss Thru Fire and Wambui won minor stakes earlier in the summer, and have attractive past form that leaves them with excellent chances.
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Kiss Thru Fire won the $100,000 Charger Bar Handicap for fillies and mares at 400 yards in January, the only other annual six-figure stakes for fillies and mares at Los Alamitos. Trained by Juan Aleman, Kiss Thru Fire won the California Breeders’ Matron Stakes at 400 yards on July 31.
Apollitical Patty and other 3-year-old fillies such as Reason to Fly MV and J Best Boogie hold equal appeal.
Reason to Fly MV was second by a head in the Golden State Derby on Aug. 15, and won the trial that included Apollitical Patty. The Vessels is the third start of the year for Reason to Fly MV, who is trained by Jose Flores.
J Best Boogie, trained by Jaime Gomez, was third in the Golden State Million Futurity at 400 yards last November, and won her 2021 debut in the minor Tammi Purcell Handicap for 3-year-old fillies at 350 yards on July 24.
The Mildred Vessels Handicap is the final race on an 11-race program. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.