Despite loss, Last to Fire favored in Vessels Maturity

CYPRESS, Calif. – At least until Sunday evening, Last to Fire ranks as the top older Quarter Horse at Los Alamitos.

The 2013 World Champion Running Quarter Horse, Last to Fire suffered his first loss in 12 months in time trials for the Vessels Maturity on June 15. In Sunday’s $163,300 Vessels final, Last to Fire will be favored to win the Grade 1 race for the second consecutive year.

In the Vessels trials, Last to Fire was beaten a neck by Jess Being Valiant in his first start since a win in the Champion of Champions last December. Jess Being Valiant and Last to Fire had the second- and third-fastest qualifying times of 19.73 and 19.78 seconds for the 400-yard final behind Far Niente, who won a trial in 19.68 seconds.

Those three are expected to dominate the Vessels Maturity. The winner receives an automatic berth to the $750,000 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos on Dec. 13.

Last to Fire won the first stakes of his career in the 2013 Vessels Maturity for owners Jesus Avila and Jesus Cuevas. Jose De La Torre trained Last to Fire last year but is no longer permitted to train at Los Alamitos after a series of clenbuterol positives. Sergio Fiscal has trained Last to Fire since the 5-year-old gelding returned to the racetrack after a winter break in early spring.

On Sunday, Last to Fire breaks from post 5, with Jess Being Valiant and Far Niente in the two posts to his inside.

Jess Being Valiant was scratched from the $156,250 Los Alamitos Winter Championship in February because of a bout with pneumonia, trainer Jaime Gomez said. The colt was rested until the Vessels trials.

Far Niente, trained by Jose Hernandez Jr., won the Golden State Derby last August. He returned from a layoff of more than eight months to win June 15.

“He came back awesome from his trial,” Hernandez said. “If he has a clean break, he has a chance.”

Similar to many owners and trainers with runners in the Vessels, Hernandez seeks a berth in the Champion of Champions. A win Sunday would lead to a summer break for Far Niente, followed by an autumn campaign leading up to the prestigious race in December.

“We’re trying to get into the Champion of Champions,” Hernandez said. “We would feel more comfortable if we can get this one.”