Fast filly Brazilian Dasher fresh for derby trials

Brazilian Dasher may not have a better chance to win a major stakes than she will this later this month in the Governor's Cup Derby at Los Alamitos.

In her eight-race career, Brazilian Dasher has qualified for three major stakes, with her best finish a third in the Grade 2 La Primera Del Ano Derby for 3-year-old fillies in April.

The Governor's Cup Derby is unlikely to be as difficult as that race. Friday's 400-yard trials at Los Alamitos comprises two eight-horse divisions, with the 10 fastest runners, regardless of finishing positions, earning berths to the $204,000 final on July 31.

Shortly after the start of Friday's first division, trainer Donna McArthur will know Brazilian Dasher's chances.

"Her biggest asset is leaving those gates," McArthur said.

Owned by M.J. Hand's Three H Racing, Brazilian Dasher is the sort of filly that McArthur describes as "really really honest."

"She's isn't really tall, but she's really wide," McArthur said. "She's hooked the best ones out there. I was impressed with her more this year than last year."

Brazilian Dasher has not started since the La Primera Del Ano Derby, but the three-month layoff does not concern McArthur. From McArthur's perspective, the filly's best race was her first start this year in the La Primera trials on March 20, when she finished second to Jumpn Beduino, who later won the final.

"I was thinking that she might need the race," McArthur said. "She really ran strong on the end. In the final, she didn't get her go-away from there like she can."

McArthur said the 400-yard distance is stretching Brazilian Dasher's capability.

"She doesn't really show that she wants to go that far," she said.

But in the Governor's Cup Derby trials, the competition should not pose a major threat The first division also features Chickafire and What Fire, the second- and fourth-place finishers in the La Primera Del Ano Derby, and First Down King, a recent allowance race winner.

The second division includes Pink Boots Rm and Fishin Party, who have each won four consecutive overnight races in recent months for trainer Adan Farias; Env, who was third in the Secret Card Handicap last month; and Forrest Fire, who has qualified for four major stakes in his career.

The Governor's Cup Derby is part of a night of major stakes for California-breds, including the Governor's Cup Futurity. Trials for the futurity are Saturday at Los Alamitos.