J Fire Up ends year with authoritative victory in Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity

CYPRESS, Calif. - J Fire Up won her third consecutive futurity and made a compelling argument for the champion 2-year-old filly title with a relatively easy win in Sunday’s $1,703,450 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity.

The Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity was the final race of the track’s season. The 2017-18 season opens on Dec. 29.

Ridden by Jose Nicasio, J Fire Up broke from the rail and took an insurmountable lead in the first 100 yards. Midway through the 400-yard race, J Fire Up ($5.80) was in front by 1 1/4 lengths and won by that margin over 12-1 Moonie Blues. Eduardo Nicasio rode Moonie Blues, giving the brothers a sweep of the exacta.

Jaime Gomez trains the first two finishers.

Call Me Cole, the fastest qualifier from the Nov. 26 trials, finished third in the field of 10 after bumping with a rival at the break.

J Fire Up was timed in 19.75 seconds and earned $715,449 for a partnership that includes Gomez, Dan Darling, and Ernesto Solis. By Kiddy Up, J Fire Up has won 7 of 9 starts and earned $1,430,411.

She was second in her debut in May and was beaten a head in the Ed Burke Million Futurity in June, her most recent loss. J Fire Up has won her last six races, including the Governor’s Cup and Golden State Million futurities, both at Los Alamitos.

Gomez said in the winner’s circle that he plans to rest J Fire Up until the summer. The filly will be bred, via embryo transfer, to One Famous Eagle early next year.