Top Fortitude to try two turns for the first time in Los Alamitos Derby
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CYPRESS, Calif. – The $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby on Saturday will determine whether Top Fortitude is a late-running sprinter or a factor in rich two-turn races this summer.
The Grade 2 Los Alamitos Derby is run over 1 1/8 miles and will be the longest race in Top Fortitude’s career.
Trained by Kory Owens and owned by his family’s Triple AAA Ranch, Top Fortitude has made three starts this year, all over seven furlongs – a 10th in an optional claimer in April at Santa Anita, a win in the Grade 3 Laz Barrera Stakes in May, and a second June 7 in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park.
Owens said this week that he is confident that Top Fortitude can handle the longer trip.
“It does seem like a big jump to go to a mile and an eighth,” he said. “I think he has the ability. He should be able to handle the distance compared to a horse that wants to be on the lead.”
Owens is encouraged by the long stretch at Los Alamitos, which measures 1,380 feet, the longest in the nation. The track was extended last winter, adding three-eighths of a mile to the existing oval to accommodate Thoroughbred racing taking place this month and in September and December.
A long stretch could work in favor of Top Fortitude.
“Is speed going to hold, or will it die?” Owens said Wednesday before Thursday’s opening day of the meeting.
Top Fortitude won the Laz Barrera by racing near the lead throughout under jockey Kayla Stra, who has the mount Saturday. Top Fortitude was 30-1 that day and was 23-1 under Mike Smith when he closed from ninth in a field of 13 to finish 7 1/2 lengths behind Bayern in the Woody Stephens.
In the Los Alamitos Derby, Top Fortitude could be a price behind leading contenders such as Shared Belief, the champion 2-year-old male of 2013 who will be ridden by Smith, and the Santa Anita stakes winners Can the Man and Candy Boy.
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Owens wants to try Top Fortitude around two turns this week before considering races in other parts of the country. The Los Alamitos Derby is the richest race for 3-year-olds on dirt in California, other than the $1 million Santa Anita Derby in April. Following the Los Alamitos Derby, most open races for 3-year-olds in California are on turf for the rest of the year.
“Going out of town was another option,” Owens said. “If we wait, we’d have to fly somewhere and run two turns for the first time. It’s better to try it here first.”