Sass Go Blue parlays perfect start into PCQHRA Breeders' Futurity win

Sass Go Blue benefited from a perfect start to score a 28-1 upset in Saturday’s $345,000 Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association Breeders' Futurity at Los Alamitos, never facing a threat from 8-5 favorite Mental Error.

Ridden by Cruz Mendez, Sass Go Blue broke from the rail in the 350-yard race and won by three-quarters of a length over 12-1 Tell Cartel. Flokie, the winner of the $1.07 million Ed Burke Million Futurity in June, finished third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths.

Sass Go Blue, who was timed in 17.58 seconds, had the eighth-fastest qualifying time in time trials on Sept. 15.

Mental Error, the fastest qualifier, reared at the start and was never a factor, finishing last of 10.

Sass Go Blue had his stakes debut in the PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity for owners Steve Burns and trainer Jose Flores. Sass Go Blue has won 3 of 7 starts and earned $156,376. He was beaten in his first four starts before winning a maiden race on July 27 and a division of the PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity trials.

On Friday, Mister Apollitical ($7.80) won the $140,000 PCQHRA Breeders’ Derby by a nose over 7-10 favorite Chocolatito, finishing 400 yards in 19.74 seconds.

Ridden by Jesus Ayala, Mister Apollitical led throughout and was fortunate to hold off Chocolatito, who bumped with a rival at the start. Chocolatito recovered to finish well. Transcend (15-1) finished third of nine.

A gelding, Mister Apollitical races for Legacy Ranch and is trained by Terry Knight. He was the fastest qualifier from the Sept. 14 time trials.