Moonist puts winning streak on line in PCQHRA Derby

Moonist will try to extend his winning streak to eight races and win his fourth derby of 2014 in Friday’s $166,000 Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association Breeders’ Derby at Los Alamitos.

Trainer John Cooper said on Tuesday that he expects a strong race, and hopes that Moonist can win five derbys before the end of the year.

“He’s feeling good,” Cooper said. “You can only do so much before the law of averages gets in there. Hopefully, he’ll run his race. A lot won’t do that that many times.”

Cooper emphasized that he wants to keep Moonist in the 3-year-old division this year, and won't attempt to qualify him for the tougher Champion of Champions against older horses in December.

“He can run in it next year,” Cooper said.

“They are only 3 once. He’s a gelding and has nothing to prove. We still have one derby left. He’ll be running against the same ones he’s been running against.”

Owned by Ron Hartley, Moonist is nominated for the $200,000-estimated Southern California Derby, which has trials on Nov. 30 and a final on Dec. 21.

Moonist will be ridden by regular rider Cesar De Alba in the PCQHRA Derby and will break from post 7 in a field of 10.

KEY CONTENDERS

Moonist

* Moonist’s winning streak includes the trials and final of the El Primero Del Ano, Governors’ Cup, and Golden State Derby and a time trial for the PCQHRA Breeders’ Derby on Sept. 13. Moonist set the fastest qualifying time of 19.55 seconds for Friday’s race.

* Cooper said post 7 will work for Moonist, who has won from as far inside as post 2 and as far outside as post 10 during the winning streak.

“I don’t care where he draws if he gets a clean race,” Cooper said.

Ms First Prize Rose

* Trey Wood trained Ms First Prize Rose for the time trial, but the filly will be trained by Cody Joiner while Wood serves a medication suspension issued by New Mexico officials.

* Ms First Prize Rose won the 2013 Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs, and was fifth in the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity last December. This is her first derby of 2014.

Dynasty of Habits

* One of six fillies in a field of 10, Dynasty of Habits was second to Moonist in the trials. This will be the fifth futurity or derby for Dynasty of Habits, who was second in the PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity last October.