Jet Wings One poised to qualify for John Deere California Juvenile Challenge finals

Jet Wings One, second in the $279,200 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity on May 17, is the most accomplished runner among 14 2-year-olds entered in two time trials for Saturday’s John Deere California Juvenile Challenge at Los Alamitos.

The runners with the 10 fastest times in the 350-yard trials, regardless of finishing positions, will advance to the final on Aug. 15. The winner of the California Juvenile Challenge earns a berth to the AQHA Juvenile Challenge at The Downs at Albuquerque on Oct. 24, although the lucrative futurities at Los Alamitos in November and December could keep a potential qualifier from traveling.

Jet Wings One was beaten a head by La Jaconde in the Kindergarten at 300 yards. Trained by Monty Arrossa for owner and breeder Dan Moon, Jet Wings One had a busy spring campaign, winning his first two starts, a maiden special weight race on April 17 and a trial for the Kindergarten on May 3.

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Jet Wings One, who will be ridden by Jose Nicasio, is part of seven in the second time trial, the last of eight races. The program has a projected first post time of 7:30 p.m. Pacific, shortly after the conclusion of the Del Mar program. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

In the eighth race, Arrossa also starts Trancendeur, who won a division of the Ed Burke Million Futurity time trials at 350 yards on June 7, but did not run fast enough to qualify for the final.

The Arrossa-trained runners will face a challenge from KR Frosty, who won his third start, a maiden race at 300 yards on June 19, and will start at 350 yards for the first time Saturday.

The first division of the trials, the seventh race, is led by the unbeaten filly Apollitical Patty, a half-sister to 2016 champion 3-year-old gelding Zoomin for Spuds, and the maiden race winner Just a Dasha Hero, a half-brother to 2015 World Champion Heza Dasha Fire.

Apollitical Patty, trained by Arrossa, has won two races at 300 yards without being fully extended – a maiden special weight race on May 22 and an allowance race on June 26.

Just a Dasha Hero, trained by Jose Flores, won a 300-yard maiden race in his third start on July 5.