Southern Wagon favored over familiar rivals in Pacifica Handicap

Southern Wagon was beaten a half-length by the heavily favored Dreams Divine in the $403,500 Los Alamitos Oaks on March 28, the last time those fillies will meet.

Dreams Divine was retired because of an injury a few days later. Southern Wagon, who was stakes-placed for the first time in the Los Alamitos Oaks, continues her career in Saturday’s $30,000 Pacifica Handicap for 3-year-old fillies at 350 yards at Los Alamitos.

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Trained by Monty Arrossa for Dunn Ranch, Southern Wagon is expected to be favored against six rivals in the Pacifica Handicap. Even though she was held off by Dreams Divine in the Los Alamitos Oaks, Southern Wagon ran a solid race, overcoming two bumping incidents at the start.

A winner of 4 of 11 starts, Southern Wagon has earned $149,351, the most of the Pacifica Handicap fillies. Last year, Southern Wagon was eighth in the $100,000 Rainbow Juvenile, the consolation of the Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs when trained by Trey Wood.

Southern Wagon joined Arrossa’s stable last fall and finished sixth in the Golden State Million Futurity in November, beaten 1 3/4 lengths by Runforyourlife.

After winning a division of the Los Alamitos Oaks trials on March 7, Southern Wagon finished a nose in front of Suite Expectations in the final. Suite Expectations is part of the Pacifica Handicap field.

The Pacifica Handicap is the last of nine races on a program that begins at 9 p.m. Eastern, or 6 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Suite Expectations, trained by Paul Jones, also won a division of the Los Alamitos Oaks trials. Sent off at 18-1 in the final, she held an early lead but could not sustain the advantage.

The Pacifica Handicap field includes Javelina Cantina and Terra Fire, who were fourth and sixth in the Los Alamitos Oaks. Last year, Javelina Cantina was eighth in the Ed Burke Million Futurity in June, while Terra Fire was eighth in the Golden State Million Futurity.

The former claimer Fashin Icon breaks from the outside post. Trained by Matt Fales, Fashin Icon was second by a half-length to Dreams Divine in the AB What A Runner Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 350 yards in January, and third as the even-money favorite in an allowance race at 300 yards on Feb. 28 after stumbling at the start.

Fashin Icon could have been claimed for $8,000 in November or $12,500 in January.