Monopolist ends skid with PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity victory

Monopolist ended a four-race losing streak with a surprise win in Saturday’s $375,000 Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association Breeders’ Futurity at Los Alamitos.

Ridden for the first time by Oscar Andrade Jr., Monopolist ($19.40) started from the inside post in a field of nine and won the 350-yard race by a half-length over 6-1 Reason to Fly MV.

Monopolist was timed in 17.62 seconds. A gelding trained by James Glenn Jr., for owner and breeder Ed Allred, Monopolist was away well, but trailed early leader Thats R Best Card by about a neck. Monopolist took the lead in the final 100 yards.

Thats R Best Card, the 5-2 favorite, faded to finish fourth, beaten three-quarters of a length.

Monopolist, by top Quarter Horse stallion Favorite Cartel, has won 2 of 6 starts and has earned $164,940. Monopolist won his debut in a maiden race on May 7 and had rough trips in his next three starts.

In time trials for the PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity on Sept. 13, Monopolist finished 2 1/2 lengths behind fastest qualifier Terrific Temper, who was not entered in Saturday’s final after bleeding in the time trial.

Monopolist will be considered for the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity, which has time trials on Nov. 22 and a final on Dec. 13.

On Friday, Jess a Little More won his second stakes in his last three starts in the $140,000 PCQHRA Breeders’ Derby.

Trained by Danny Montes for Silvia Carmona, Jess a Little More won the Grant Pass Derby Challenge in Oregon on July 7 and was a troubled fourth in a division of the PCQHRA Breeders’ Derby trials on Sept. 12.

In the final, Jess a Little More ($31.80) broke well from the outside post in a field of eight and won by a neck over even-money favorite Up for Speed. Just Be Real was third, beaten three-quarters of a length.

Jess a Little More, who was ridden by Ruben Lozano, ran 400 yards in 19.77 seconds. A gelding by Favorite Trick, Jess a Little More has won 3 of 11 starts and has earned $80,330.

The race had only eight runners after fastest qualifier Runforyourlife was withdrawn in favor of the time trials for the Los Alamitos Super Derby on Oct. 17, and the stakes-placed You Can Run was withdrawn because of a minor injury. The Super Derby final is Nov. 8.

Montes said Jess a Little More could have his next start in a time trial for the Southern California Derby on Nov. 29. The final is Dec. 20.