Quirky scores easily in Southern California Derby

Quirky, a filly who was a minor stakes winner in July, gave Los Alamitos track owner Ed Allred his second major stakes win in consecutive weekends in the $145,850 Southern California Derby for Quarter Horses on Sunday.

Quirky ($7.40) ran 400 yards in 19.75 seconds, winning the Grade 1 Southern California Derby by an easy 1 1/4 lengths over 5-2 Tres Pescado. Dynasty of Habits finished third in the field of 10.

Quirky was favored and ran to expectations, taking the lead from the start under jockey Carlos Huerta, who allowed the filly to drift to the inside from the outside post through the final 100 yards. She was clear of her rivals at that stage of the race.

Trained by James Glenn Jr., Quirky was second in a division of the Southern California Derby time trials Nov. 30, breaking through the gate before the start and eventually finishing second to Another Oatie. In the final, Another Oatie was sixth as a 4-1 shot.

Quirky, by Stel Corona, was bred by Allred. The filly has won 3 of 10 starts and earned $185,643. Second in the La Primera Del Ano Derby for fillies at Los Alamitos in April, she won the California Breeders’ Debutante Stakes in July.

Allred won the $2,078,775 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity with He Looks Hot on Dec. 14.

The Southern California Derby was the final stakes of the year-long Los Alamitos night meeting for Quarter Horses and lower-level Thoroughbreds. The 2014-15 meeting begins Friday.