Jet Wings One vs. Other World in Sgt Pepper Feature Handicap
The 2021 stakes winners Jet Wings One and Other World meet for the first time in Saturday’s $25,000 Sgt Pepper Feature Handicap at 350 yards at Los Alamitos, a race with ramifications for important derbies later this year.
Jet Wings One won the California Derby Challenge at 400 yards in May and was second by a head in the Independence Day Handicap at 300 yards on July 2 in his most recent start. He is trained by Monty Arrossa.
Jet Wings One is nominated for the Southern California Derby, which has trials on Nov. 28 and a final on Dec. 19.
Other World began his career with trainer Scott Willoughby and was purchased by current owner and trainer Valentin Zamudio earlier this summer. Other World won his debut for Zamudio in the Jens List California Breeders’ Stakes at 400 yards on Aug. 1.
The Sgt Pepper Feature Handicap drew a field of six, including Famous Cartel Jess, who was ninth in the Golden State Million Futurity last November and eighth in the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity last December when trained by Justin Joiner.
Earlier this year, Famous Cartel Jess was winless in three starts at Ruidoso Downs, all for Joiner’s father, Mike. Famous Cartel Jess was third in the $100,000 Ruidoso Invitational at 400 yards in June, the consolation of the Ruidoso Derby.
Following a second in a division of the Rainbow Derby trials on July 11, Famous Cartel Jess was transferred to current trainer Jose Flores.
Katella Avenue, third in the List Stakes, will break from the outside post in his first start for Zamudio. Previously trained by Mike Casselman, Katella Avenue was recently acquired by owner Eleazar Maldonado Gonzalez.
In the List Stakes, Katella Avenue was bumped at the start, but recovered to finish a length behind Other World in the 400-yard race.
Katella Avenue is nominated to the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association Breeders’ Derby, which has trials on Sept. 11 and a final on Oct. 2.