Far Niente scores upset in Vessels Maturity

CYPRESS, Calif. – Far Niente won the Grade 1 Vessels Maturity for the second consecutive year on Sunday evening at Los Alamitos, scoring an upset win against Moonist, the champion 3-year-old Quarter Horse of 2014, who could only finish third.

Far Niente ($17.40) ran 400 yards in 19.58 seconds, benefiting from a strong start to win by 1 1/4 lengths over 29-1 Well and Good. Moonist, the 1-10 favorite, broke slowly and finished a nose behind Well and Good in the field of nine.

Moonist was such a heavy favorite that the gelding attracted $136,225 of the $145,651 bet to place. As a result of Moonist’s third-place finish, Far Niente paid $33.20 to place, while Well and Good returned a phenomenal $193.60. There was no show betting.

The win gives Far Niente an automatic berth to the $600,000 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos on Dec. 12. Owned by Atwood Ranches and John Wells, Far Niente was ridden by Eduardo Nicasio for trainer Jose Hernandez Jr.

Far Niente, a 5-year-old gelding by Fdd Dynasty, has won 11 of 21 starts and earned $420,398. Sunday’s race was Far Niente’s first stakes win since the 2014 Vessels Maturity.