Super Derby trials split into six divisions

Circle City, Nomadic, and Tell Cartel have won four six-figure derbies at Los Alamitos this year. One of them could be the lone winner of the track’s only seven-figure derby next month, the $1,052,350 Los Alamitos Super Derby on Nov. 8.

The three are among 43 horses entered in six time trials for the Super Derby on Saturday. The runners with the 10 fastest times, regardless of finishing position, will qualify for the lucrative final.

Circle City and Nomadic are full-brothers trained by Scott Willoughby for owner and breeder Ed Allred, who owns Los Alamitos. Circle City and Nomadic are by leading Quarter Horse stallion Favorite Cartel and are out of Moonlight Corona. They were bred via embryo transfer.

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Circle City won the Golden State Derby on Aug. 16. He drew the rail in Saturday’s fifth race, the second division of the trials. Circle City is arguably in the toughest division of the trials. His rivals include Tell Cartel, who won the Los Alamitos Winter and El Primero Del Ano derbies in February and March; Southern Wagon, who was second in the Los Alamitos Oaks in March; and Cattail Cove, who was third in the consolation of the All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs on Sept. 6.

Nomadic starts in the fourth race in his first start since a win in the Governor’s Cup Derby on July 26. His main rival is the filly Kiss Thru Fire, second in the All American Oaks at Ruidoso Downs on Sept. 6.

Southern Wagon was previously trained by Monty Arrossa, but was recently transferred to John Cooper. Three prominent runners trained by Arrossa earlier this year were moved to Cooper. All three are owned by Matt Dunn of Oklahoma or Sammy Valeriano of Texas.

The group includes Inaugurator, who was second in the All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs on Sept. 6. Inaugurator is likely to be favored in the sixth race.

Really First Down, second in the Mystery Derby at Fair Meadows Tulsa on Sept. 27, was previously trained by Arrossa and will start for Cooper in Saturday’s seventh race, a tough division. The competition includes Runforyourlife, who won the Golden State Futurity in November 2019 and Oatman Creek Senator, who won the All American Derby consolation.

The field for the final trial includes Determined One, who was third in the 2019 All American Futurity, and John Carter Cash, who won the California Challenge Championship on Aug. 14.