Los Alamitos: Flame N Flash wins Mildred Vessels

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. - Flame N Flash, making her first start since April, won Sunday’s $150,000 Mildred Vessels Handicap for Quarter Horse fillies and mares at Los Alamitos, a victory that guarantees her a berth in the $750,000 Champion of Champions on Dec. 15.

The Grade 1 Vessels Handicap is the only race for fillies and mares that offers an automatic berth to the Champion of Champions, richest race of the year for older Quarter Horses.

Ridden by Francisco Rubio for trainer Juan Aleman, Flame N Flash led throughout the 400 yards, winning by a half-length over Thisfeatureisspecial. Fredaville, the 6-5 favorite trained by Aleman, finished third in the field of 10.

Flame N Flash ($15.80) ran 400 yards in 19.54 seconds.

Owned by Robert Williams of Utah, Flame N Flash won the La Primera Del Ano Derby in April and was turned out following that race by Aleman.

After Sunday’s race, Aleman said that Flame N Flash will be pointed for the Los Alamitos Super Derby in November before the Champion of Champions.