Boondarbian sends trainer John Cooper out a winner in Southern California Derby
CYPRESS, Calif. - Boondarbian gave John Cooper a winner in his final race as a trainer in Sunday’s $155,300 Southern California Derby at Los Alamitos, and it may have been the gelding’s final race as well.
Cooper, 84, announced earlier this month that he planned to disperse his small stable at Los Alamitos. His family recent bought a home in Idaho.
Boondarbian and Insider Information, who finished fifth in the Southern California Derby, were Cooper’s final runners.
Lacie Davenport, who owns Boondarbian with her father, Jerald, said she may retire the gelding for a second career as a barrel racing horse. Lacie Davenport allowed that she could change her mind and race Boondarbian as a 4-year-old in 2023.
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Ridden by Cruz Mendez, Boondarbian ($24.40) had a clean start in the 400-yard Southern California Derby, avoiding the trouble that plagued 7-5 favorite Stuck in Probate and 2-1 second choice Whizkey Glasses.
Boondarbian led throughout and held off a surge from Stuck in Probate in the final strides to win by a head in 19.68 seconds.
Stuck in Probate, the fastest qualifier from time trials on Nov. 27, bumped with Apollitical J Streak at the start, but recovered quickly. Dasha Dynasty, who broke slowly from post 2, finished third at 5-1.
Whizkey Glasses, the winner of the Golden State Million Futurity in 2021 and the Heritage Place Derby at Remington Park in May, sustained repeated bumps with A Pollitical J Streak and Stuck in Probate at the start and did not recover, finishing last of nine.
Boondarbian, a Utah-bred by Jr Dynasty Mountain, has won 4 of 19 starts and earned $109,154. The Southern California Derby was Boondarbian’s first stakes win. He was second in the Blane Schvaneveldt Handicap against older horses at Los Alamitos in October.
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