Valiantli gives connections repeat win in Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity
CYPRESS, Calif. - Familiar faces reached the winner’s circle when Valiantli cruised to a comfortable victory in Sunday’s $257,500 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity at Los Alamitos.
For the second consecutive year, the first futurity of the year was won by a filly owned by Utah residents Dennis Jensen and Randy Young and trained by Monty Arrossa.
Valiantli, ridden by Cruz Mendez, rapidly overcame a bobble at the start to win the 300-yard race by three-quarters of a length over 2-1 favorite Chicks First Flash, also trained by Arrossa. Valiantli ($13.60) was timed in 15.39 seconds, considerably faster than her qualifying time of 15.61 seconds in time trials on April 24.
Muy Bien Corona, the 3-1 second choice, finished third for trainer Heath Taylor, beaten 1 1/4 lengths.
Valiantli, a Texas-bred filly by Valiant Hero, was purchased for $88,000 at the Heritage Place yearling sale in Oklahoma City last September. Valiantli was third in her debut in a maiden special weight race at 220 yards on April 2 before winning for the first time in the Kindergarten trials.
Valiantli has earned $112,400. Arrossa said in the winner’s circle that Valiantli will be rested for stakes in the late summer and fall.
Jensen, Young, and Arrossa won the 2021 Kindergarten with Fire Fast Honey, who was second in the $438,500 Los Alamitos Oaks in March and has since been retired.