Asscher gets a little class relief in Los Alamitos Oaks

The last time the Quarter Horse filly Asscher ran in a major race, she was left hopelessly behind after a poor start in the $1 million Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs last July, never threatening race winner Dark Nme.

Dark Nme was later named champion 2-year-old filly of 2023.

Asscher was sent to California last fall and has thrived at Los Alamitos, leaving her poised for a lucrative payday in Saturday’s $404,000 Los Alamitos Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 400 yards.

The Los Alamitos Oaks, the track’s richest race for 3-year-old fillies, is a much easier field than the Rainbow Futurity, one of the sport’s top races for juveniles.

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Trained by Marc Jungers for owners Lance Bland and Jimmy Barton, Asscher has won her last two starts – the minor Holiday Handicap at 350 yards on Dec. 30, and a division of the Los Alamitos Oaks trials on March 3.

Asscher was timed in 19.87 seconds, the fastest clocking from three trials.

In Saturday’s final, regular rider Christian Ramos rides Asscher, who starts from post 8 in a field of nine. Southern Divine, a trial race winner in 20.15 seconds, starts from the outside post and is well-regarded despite her slower qualifying time.

Southern Divine is one of three finalists trained by Monty Arrossa.

Hubba Hubba, another trial race winner, was retired earlier this month, trainer Elena Andrade recently told Los Alamitos publicity.

Of the runners beaten in the Oaks trials, Checkn Cartel and Double Down 123 are rated as most likely to play key roles on Saturday.

Checkn Cartel, trained by Lindolfo Diaz, was second to Asscher in the trials in her 3-year-old debut. Last December, Checkn Cartel was fourth in the $1.78 million Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity, the track’s richest race.

Double Down 123, trained by Arrossa, won the $275,900 Kindergarten Futurity at 300 yards last May, and was third in the $265,000 PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity in October in her final start of 2023.

The Oaks trial was Double Down 123’s first start at 400 yards. Sent off as the 1-2 favorite, she dueled for the lead before finishing a neck behind Hubba Hubba. Double Down 123 was timed in 20.14 seconds.

Despite a slower time, Double Down 123 will be well-supported in the final, and could be favored over Asscher.

Arrossa also starts the outsider Favorite City, who finished fifth by 2 3/4 lengths behind Asscher, and gained the last qualifying spot.

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