Fox Fan's pedigree belies moderate works for debut
Fox Fan, a first-time starter in Sunday’s eighth race at Los Alamitos, has a pedigree that commands attention.
The 2-year-old gelding is a full brother to Tell Cartel, the leading 3-year-old at Los Alamitos this year, as well as to the stakes winner Chicks Fayvorite. Tell Cartel won the Los Alamitos Winter Derby in February and the El Primero Del Ano Derby in March.
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But Fox Fan’s workouts have not been especially fast. On April 16, Fox Fan worked 220 yards from the gate in 13.40 seconds, one of the slowest times that morning. On May 9, Fox Fan worked 220 yards from the gate in 12.70 seconds, the 15th fastest of 20 works at the distance.
Ruben Lozano, the regular rider of Tell Cartel, will ride Fox Fan for owner and breeder Mimi Wells and trainer Matt Fales. Wells and Fales are the people behind Tell Cartel.
Fox Fan, who is by top stallion Favorite Cartel, drew post 2 in a field of six in a 300-yard maiden race, the final race on an eight-race program that is scheduled to begin at or 5 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
The maiden race lacks a standout. There are two other first-time starters – Eagles Royal Dynasty and Reason to Stay In – and three runners who have had one start.
The first-time starter Reason to Stay In, a filly by FDD Dynasty, had two 220-yard gate workouts in April – in 12.50 seconds on April 16 and 12.70 seconds on April 30. Trained by Monty Arrossa, she is likely to attract support.
California Burnin had the best result of those who have raced, finishing third in a division of the Kindergarten Futurity trials on May 3. California Burnin was beaten 1 3/4 lengths by Jet Wings One, who later finished second as the odds-on favorite in the final on May 17.
California Burnin, a filly by Walk Thru Fire, is trained by Jaime Gomez, who won the Kindergarten with the promising filly La Jaconde.