Last to Fire launches comeback in Vessels Maturity trials

CYPRESS, Calif. – Six months after his win in the $750,000 Champion of Champions, Last to Fire, the 2013 World Champion Running Quarter Horse, makes his 2014 debut in an $8,000 time trial for the Vessels Maturity at Los Alamitos.

Much has changed for Last to Fire since the Champion of Champions. He has a new trainer in Sergio Fiscal, who replaces Jose De La Torre. In the weeks after the Champion of Champions, De La Torre was told by Los Alamitos management to leave the grounds following a series of positives for the bronchodilator Clenbuterol.

Last to Fire, who has been plagued by quarter cracks for more than a year, joined Fiscal’s stable in the spring. Last to Fire’s feet are in better condition, though his right front foot has a patch to cover a lingering quarter crack, Fiscal said.

Fiscal said his confidence in Last to Fire grew after watching the 5-year-old gelding work 350 yards in 17.60 seconds on May 20. “When he worked from the gate, he blew out of there and he was awesome running down the track,” Fiscal said. “He came back great.

“I’m nervous, but I’m ready. It’s been a long time since he’s run.”

The horses with the 10 fastest times, regardless of finishing positions, will advance to the 400-yard final on July 6. The $163,300 Vessels Maturity will be run on the evening of the first Sunday of the track’s July Thoroughbred meeting. Earlier that afternoon, the track will host Thoroughbred racing.

Each trial for the Vessels Maturity is loaded with major stakes winners.

Last to Fire, who is owned by Jesus Avila and Jesus Cuevas, will be a heavy favorite in the seventh race, the first of three trials. Last to Fire won the 2013 Vessels Maturity, the first win in a four-race active winning streak. On Sunday, Last to Fire faces Jess Featureme Quick, who won the 2012 Hobbs America Derby at Zia Park and was second in the Vessels Maturity last year.

In the eighth race, Far Niente, the winner of the 2013 Golden State Derby, and Native Tea Rose, the winner of the Charger Bar Handicap for fillies and mares in January, are leading contenders.

The ninth race is led by Deniro, who won the 2012 Los Alamitos Super Derby, and Significant Heart, who won the 2013 Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association Breeders’ Derby.

Deniro was previously trained by De La Torre.