Political Rivalry stretches streak to six in PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity

CYPRESS, Calif. – Political Rivalry remained unbeaten after six races with a half-length win in Sunday’s $265,000 Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association Breeders’ Futurity at Los Alamitos.

The win, the first in a stakes for Political Rivalry since the Ed Burke Million Futurity in June, was a prep race for the colt’s toughest assignment – the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity later this fall.

Time trials for the Los Alamitos Two Million will be run Nov. 19, with the 400-yard final on Dec. 10. The race annually includes juveniles who ran in the leading futurities at Ruidoso Downs through the summer.

In the PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity at 350 yards, Political Rivalry ($6.20) won by a half-length over 16-1 Southern Divine, finishing in 17.47 seconds. Double Down 123, a slight favorite at 2-1 and the winner of the Kindergarten Futurity in May, finished third in the field of nine.

Political Rivalry, who was ridden by Jose Nicasio, races for owner and breeder Keith Nellesen of Utah and trainer Heath Taylor.

Political Rivalry has earned $488,578.

On Saturday at Los Alamitos, Chicks First Flash became the fifth horse in history to sweep the PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity and Derby.

Chicks First Flash won the $145,000 PCQHRA Breeders’ Derby by 1 1/2 lengths, returning $2.80. Ridden by Armando Cervantes for trainer Monty Arrossa, Chicks First Flash ran 400 yards in 19.79, easily beating 10-1 Ima Sixy Man.

Chicks First Flash, who races for Melinda Roche and Steve Wright, has won 7 of 16 starts and earned $331,031. Earlier this year, Chicks First Flash won the minor Vandys Flash Handicap at Los Alamitos.

With the win Saturday, Chicks First Flash became the first runner to sweep the PCQHRA Breeders Futurity and Derby since Ima Chickie Too in 2011-12.

Arrossa said Chicks First Flash will be pointed to the Southern California Derby at 400 yards, which has trials Nov. 26 and a final on Dec. 17.

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