Los Alamitos: Nellie Delaney, Jabuti Eagle Sa dead-heat in Southern California Derby

CYPRESS, Calif. – Nellie Delaney and Jabuti Eagle Sa finished in a dead heat for first place in Sunday’s $160,850 Southern California Derby at Los Alamitos, a race that also had a dead heat for third between Scoop of Sunshine and Tres Coronas Mas.

Nellie Delaney ($3.40) was the 9-5 favorite. A filly, Nellie Delaney overcame a stumble at the start to finish even with Jabuti Eagle Sa ($8.20), who was sent off at 9-1. They were timed in 19.85 seconds for 400 yards and finished a neck in front of the horses who finished in a dead heat for third.

Raul Valenzuela rode Nellie Delaney, the fastest qualifier from the Dec. 1 time trials. Saul Ramirez Jr. was aboard Jabuti Eagle Sa.

Nellie Delaney races for breeders J. Garvin Kelly and Nancy Yearsley and is trained by Juan Aleman. Paul Jones trains Jabuti Eagle Sa for the family of the late Gianna Samaja of Brazil.