Last to Fire looks to rebound in Go Man Go
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
Last to Fire, the reigning Quarter Horse World Champion, has yet to win this year, making a victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Go Man Go Handicap for older horses at Los Alamitos even more vital.
Since his championship year in 2013, which included a win in the Go Man Go Handicap, Last to Fire is winless in two starts, including an eighth as the 6-5 favorite in the Vessels Maturity on July 6. Following that race, owners Jesus Avila and Jesus Cuevas transferred Last to Fire from Sergio Fiscal to Paul Jones.
The Go Man Go Handicap over 400 yards will be Last to Fire’s first start for Jones.
“I expect him to run a big race,” Jones said Thursday. “I like the way he looks.”
Last to Fire is part of an oversubscribed field of 14 in the Go Man Go Handicap. Only 10 will start.
The winner would receive a berth in the $750,000 Champion of Champions on Dec. 13 if a horse wins two qualifying races between February and November, or if the winner of a qualifying race does not accept a berth. No horse has won two of the four qualifying races run this year. Five qualifying races have yet to be run.
Go Man Go Handicap, race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
Last to Fire
◗ Last to Fire drew the outside post, a slight concern to Jones, who noted that the gelding was tough to beat in 2013 when racing inside.
“I don’t know how he’ll run out there,” Jones said. “He’ll stay out of trouble. I know he likes the inside.”
Far Niente
◗ Far Niente earned a berth in the Champion of Champions with a win in the Vessels Maturity on July 6, outrunning Jess Being Valiant and Once Over, who are in the Go Man Go field. Far Niente has thrived in the last year, winning 5 of 6 starts, all over 400 yards.
New Look
◗ Trained by Jones, New Look won the California Challenge Championship on Aug. 17, beating stablemate Jess Featureme Quick, who is part of the Go Man Go field. New Look ended a 21-month losing streak in the Challenge Championship, which was run over 440 yards.
Bon Accord
◗ The Go Man Go Handicap will be the first start for Bon Accord since a win in the Remington Park Championship on May 31, a qualifier for the Champion of Champions.