Los Alamitos: I Like the Odds scores in Two Million Futurity

I Like the Odds, a gelding who failed to qualify for four major futurities at Ruidoso Downs and Los Alamitos earlier this year, won the richest race in Los Alamitos history in Sunday’s $2,236,300 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity.

The victory gave a trainer named Bassett a sixth win in the track’s top futurity. I Like the Odds is trained by Joe Bassett, 28, his second career win in the race. Bassett’s father, John, has won the Two Million four times.

Sunday, I Like the Odds ($24.60) led throughout and won by a length over 2-1 favorite and fastest qualifier Last to Fire. Ridden by Ramon Sanchez, I Like the Odds was in command throughout 400 yards, and was timed in 19.63 seconds. Last to Check Him, a 12-1 longshot, finished third in the field of 10.

The win was worth $903,966 for owners Tom Bradbury, Kim Kessinger, and Howard Nichols.

Bradbury and Kessinger bred I Like the Odds, who was beaten in trials for the Ruidoso, Rainbow, and All American futurities during the spring and summer when trained by John Bassett. Transferred to Joe Bassett at Los Alamitos in late summer, I Like the Odds won a maiden race in September, failed to qualify for the Golden State Million in October, but rebounded to win a division of the Los Alamitos Two Million trials.

Joe Bassett said that I Like the Odds will be rested until the spring, when the gelding resumes racing with the elder Bassett at Ruidoso Downs.