Thermonuclear Energy can assert dominance in Mildred Vessels Handicap

Thermonuclear Energy began 2019 with a win in the $100,000 Charger Bar Handicap at Los Alamitos on Jan. 6. Nearly nine months later, Thermonuclear Energy can solidify her status as a leading older Quarter Horse mare when she starts as the expected favorite in Sunday’s $125,000 Mildred Vessels Handicap at 400 yards at Los Alamitos.

Trained by Chris O’Dell for the Parsons family partnership, Thermonuclear Energy won the $40,000 California Breeders’ Matron Stakes at 400 yards on July 27 in her first start since February. A 6-year-old mare, Thermonuclear Energy has won 11 of 28 starts and earned $405,757. She was sixth in the 2018 Mildred Vessels Handicap as the 6-5 favorite, finishing 2 1/2 lengths behind winner Jess Ravin.

Thermonuclear Energy has struggled at the start in some of her starts, but did break well in the Matron Stakes.

Tough to Figure and Matilda Czech, second and third in the Matron, are part of a field of 10 in the Vessels. The winner receives an automatic berth to the Champion of Champions against males in December, a race that plays a pivotal role in year-end voting.

The 3-year-old filly Tequila Sangria and 4-year-old filly Fenian Faith have recent performances that suggest they can play a leading role.

The Vessels Handicap will be the second appearance in a major stakes for Tequila Sangria, who is trained by Mike Casselman for his brother-in-law, prominent California breeder Steve Burns. Tequila Sangria was last of 10 in the Golden State Million Futurity last November and is unbeaten in two starts at 350 yards this year.

Fenian Faith was second to BH Lisas Boy in the California Challenge Championship at 440 yards in August. BH Lisas Boy returned to win the Go Man Go Handicap at 400 yards on Sept. 1, a leading prep for the Champion of Champions.

Fenian Faith, trained by Juan Aleman, won a 330-yard allowance race on Aug. 31 as a prep for Sunday’s race.