Masochistic's stakes debut likely to come in Los Alamitos Mile

DEL MAR, Calif. - Masochistic, the easy winner of an optional claimer over seven furlongs Saturday likely will make his stakes debut in the $200,000 Los Alamitos Mile on Sept. 6, trainer A.C. Avila said.

Avila said Sunday he will assess Masochistic’s condition in the next week before finalizing plans. He expressed concern that Masochistic could need time to recover.

“He looks great, but sometimes his energy goes like that suddenly,” Avila said, pointing downward.

Co-owned by Avila and Los Pollos Hermanos Racing, Masochistic has won 3 of 4 starts and his last three races. He was fifth in his debut in a maiden race at Santa Anita in March before winning a maiden race on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs on May 3. Masochistic won an optional claimer for California-breds July 31.

Masochistic’s only loss has been a source of controversy. The 4-year-old gelding tested positive for a tranquilizer, which resulted in the partial redistribution of the purse. Avila could face a fine or suspension for the infraction.