Chicks First Flash needs best manners in PCQHRA Breeders' Derby
When he behaves himself at the start, and even a few times when he has not, the gelding Chicks First Flash often has good results at Los Alamitos.
Chicks First Flash overcame a troubled start to win the $325,000 Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association Breeders’ Futurity last September, but was only third in the $206,200 Golden State Derby on Aug. 13 after being jostled by rivals at the start.
Things have been brighter for Chicks First Flash this month. He won a division of the PCQHRA Breeders’ Derby trials on Sept. 9. Despite breaking to the inside after the start, he recovered to set the fastest qualifying time for Sunday’s $145,000 final at 400 yards.
Chicks First Flash will be favored in a field of 10 on the ninth and final race of an evening program. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
Trained by Monty Arrossa for Melinda Roche’s Five Livestock Company and Steve Wright, Chicks First Flash drew post 5 and will have his sixth appearance in a stakes this year.
Aside from the third-place finish in the Golden State Derby, Chicks First Flash was second in the James Smith Handicap in April and won the minor Vandys Flash Handicap at 350 yards in June, beating a field that included eventual Golden State Derby winner Party Politics.
A win on Saturday would make Chicks First Flash the fifth horse to sweep the PCQHRA Futurity-Derby double and first since Ima Chickie Too in 2011-2012.
Chicks First Flash was timed in 19.89 seconds in the trials on Sept. 9, the only qualifier to break 20 seconds. Three other trial race winners are part of the PCQHRA Breeders’ Derby field – Ima Sixy Man (20.08), Mornings With Maria (20.14), and Pragmatic (20.18).
Mornings With Maria, who is by Seperate Interest out of Bartiromo, started for the first time since March on Sept. 9. Mornings With Maria, who is trained by Juan Aleman, was second to Chicks First Flash in the PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity, her best finish in a stakes.
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