Competition scarce for Snowbound Superstar

Snowbound Superstar, the two-time Quarter Horse distance champion, is expected to leave California this spring to find competition.

Trainer Paul Jones intended to start Snowbound Superstar in Sunday's $20,000 Moonshiner Handicap over 870 yards at Los Alamitos, but the race was not used because only five horses were entered on Thursday, track officials said. Jones said he had been told the race had drawn six entrants, and he was hoping it would be used.

He said that Snowbound Superstar would be considered for stakes at Remington Park in Oklahoma and Sunland Park in New Mexico.

"We're seeing the better stakes horse leave Los Alamitos," Jones said in frustration. "It's hard enough to get people to enter against him. He's ready to run."

Los Alamitos racing secretary Ron Church said he would have used the race with seven entrants.

"We don't have enough horses of that caliber," he said.

Owned by Tom and Brenda Brinkley, Snowbound Superstar is unbeaten in 12 starts at 870 yards, including seven stakes. Overall, the 6-year-old gelding has won 12 of 15 starts and $184,847.

Snowbound Superstar made two starts last fall at Los Alamitos, returning from a year-long layoff.