Stuck in Probate looks to play spoiler in Southern California Derby

The improving gelding Stuck in Probate is the fastest qualifier for Sunday’s $155,300 Southern California Derby at 400 yards at Los Alamitos, a status that assures the gelding will be well-backed in a field of 10.

Stuck in Probate may play the role of spoiler, too.

The second-fastest qualifier is Boondarbian, who was timed in 19.88 seconds with a win in the second of four trials Nov. 27. Boondarbian and Insider Information, who was second to Stuck in Probate in the trials, will be the final starters for legendary trainer John Cooper.

Cooper, 84, has contemplated retirement in recent years, and said last weekend that he plans to end his training career on Sunday. He and his wife recently purchased property in Nampa, Idaho, he said.

Cooper is best known as the trainer of runners such as Moonist, one of the top older Quarter Horses in the last decade, and Jess Cartel Rockin, who won the $1.9 million Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity in 2019. Cooper has won the Champion of Champions twice – with Mr Doty Bars in 1979 and Apollitical Pence in 2020.

Boondarbian and Stuck in Probate will start in the richest races of their careers in the Southern California Derby.

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Boondarbian, who races for Jerald and Lacie Davenport, was third in the minor Blane Schvaneveldt Handicap on Oct. 1.

Stuck in Probate, owned by Vic3tory Stable and trained by Valentin Zamudio, was third behind Southern California Derby qualifiers Dasha Dynasty and Up the Ladder in the Town Policy Stakes at 400 yards on Nov. 5. In a trial for the Southern California Derby, Stuck in Probate overcame a bump at the start to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 19.72.

Conant Valley (20.01) and Dasha Dynasty (20.02) were the other trial race winners. Conant Valley is trained by Heath Taylor, who won the Champion of Champions on Dec. 10 with Empressum. Dasha Dynasty was third in the Golden State Derby in August.

The most accomplished member of the field is Whizkey Glasses, who won the 2021 Golden State Million Futurity and has earned $932,113. Trained by Monty Arrossa, Whizkey Glasses was second by a neck to Boondarbian on Nov. 27.

Earlier this year, Whizkey Glasses won the Heritage Place Derby at Remington Park, one of the toughest races of the spring for 3-year-olds.

The Southern California Derby is the second of two stakes on Saturday’s 10-race program. In the ninth race, the highly regarded London Toby will have his stakes debut against four rivals in the $35,000 First Down Dash Handicap.

A 4-year-old gelding, London Toby has won 3 of 5 starts for owner and breeder Ed Allred and trainer Scott Willoughby in a career interrupted by illnesses.

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