Heavily favored Doodah Cartel makes it four straight in El Primero Del Año Derby
Doodah Cartel emphasized his status as the leading 3-year-old Quarter Horse in California with his fourth consecutive win in Sunday’s $185,100 El Primero Del Año Derby for colts and geldings.
Doodah Cartel, whose odds plummeted from 1-2 when the field was in the gate to a final price of 1-5, ran 400 yards in 19.60 seconds, finishing a half-length in front of 7-1 Brother Ray. Doodad Cartel paid $2.40 to win. More of It (9-2) finished third, beaten two lengths.
Jockey Henry Lopez rode Doodah Cartel for trainer Paul Jones, who co-owns the colt with Terry Thompson and Alexis Andrade. Doodah Cartel gave Jones a record seventh win in the El Primero Del Año Derby, one more than the late Blane Schvaneveldt.
Doodah Cartel and Brother Ray were first and second in the third of three divisions of time trials for the El Primero Del Año Derby on March 8. Doodah Cartel was the fastest qualifier. More of It was the second-fastest qualifier after winning the first trial.
By Favorite Cartel, Doodah Cartel won the $202,500 Los Alamitos Winter Derby on Feb. 14. He won a trial for that race on Jan. 24, the start of his current winning streak.
In his career, Doodah Cartel has won 6 of 14 starts and earned $340,553. His next major objective is the Governor’s Cup Derby at 400 yards, which has time trials on July 5 and a final on July 26.
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