A Streakinson fastest in Vessels trials

Qualifying an older Quarter Horse for the $139,600 Vessels Maturity last Saturday was not an especially difficult chore in time trials at Los Alamitos.

There were only 19 horses in two 400-yard time trials and the 10 fastest qualifiers, regardless of finishing position, advanced to the June 18 final. It turned out that the first five finishers in each trial earned a berth in the final, which promises to be a more grueling race.

It should be. There is quite a lot at stake. Not only is the Vessels Maturity a Grade 1 race, but the winner earns an automatic berth to the $750,000 Champion of Champions on Dec. 11, considered the championship race for older Quarter Horses.

Last Saturday, A Streakinson set the fastest qualifying time of 19.27 seconds, winning the first division by three-quarters of a length over Bloke. Fantastic Corona Jr won the second division in 19.43 seconds in a nose victory over Blues Man Too.

The trial winners are owned by partnerships, with former California Horse Racing Board commissioner and longtime Quarter Horse owner and breeder John Andreini holding a share in both.

A Streakinson's time was the fastest 400 yards of the meeting, which began in late December. The previous best time was held by Freaky, a gelding that Andreini and his partners, former champion jockey Danny Cardoza and veterinarian Steve Burns, will eventually have to face with A Streakinson in top-class races.

Freaky, the winner of the 2009 Champion of Champions and the 2009 Quarter Horse World Champion ran 19.31 seconds when he won the Los Alamitos Winter Championship in February, earning an automatic berth to this year's Champion of Champions.

Last weekend, Jess You and I, the winner of the 2008 Champion of Champions, earned an invitation to this year's Champion of Champions with a victory in the $250,000 Remington Park Championship in Oklahoma City.

Jess You and I, owned by Double Bar S Ranch, won the Remington Park Championship by a nose over One Diamond Kelly.

◗ This weekend's racing is highlighted by Saturday's trials for the $1 million-estimated Ed Burke Million Futurity on June 19. The 10 fastest finishes from Saturday's 350-yard trials will earn berths to the final, the first of three seven-figure futurities at Los Alamitos this year.

Friday, Fovee, third in the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity last December, and Butterfly Kisses, third in the 2009 Kindergarten Futurity, start in the $16,000 Secret Card Handicap for 3-year-old fillies over 350 yards.