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Valeriano Racing Stables LLC’s Toby Sis was bumped shortly after the start but was fortunate enough to avoid trouble the rest of the way, allowing her immense potential to emerge during the second half of California’s richest Quarter Horse race, the Grade 1, $1,929,825 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity here on Sunday night. 

Displaying an impressive finishing kick from post number two, Toby Sis held off Corinna Sosa’s AJ Remember Me by a head to win the 26^th running of the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity at odds of 11-1. Ridden by Francisco Calderon for trainer Jesus Nunez, Toby Sis completed a terrific juvenile campaign with this victory. 

Bred by Ed Allred, the filly by Favorite Cartel out of the Walk Thru Fire mare London Laura improved to five wins from six starts, with her only blemish being a second-place finish in the Grade 2 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity. Toby Sis earned $799,187 for the win to take her career earnings to $856,157. This makes her the nation’s fourth leading earner and the highest earning Quarter Horse filly or mare of 2025. 

A full sister to multiple Grade 1 winner London Toby, Toby Sis also became Favorite Cartel’s 17th winner of a million-dollar race. The California-bred covered the 400 yards in :19.559. Valeriano Racing Stables were also represented by Whos The V, who was also bumped early, lost his path and had more traffic trouble later in the race while never in contention on the way to running 10^th.

Several other horses had rough trips during this race, including Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity winner Political Twist, who got knocked around heavily after Surprise Temptation, Enforce and Jess Im Worth It all bumped into each other near the midway point of the race. Jess Im Worth It, who was third across the finish line, was eventually disqualified from third and placed ninth. Keith Nellesen’s Hi Octane, who was also bumped during this melee, finished in a huge way, crossing the wire fourth before being moved up to third. 

The official order of finish is as follows: Toby Sis, AJ Remember Me, Hi Octane, Beuteeful, Enforce, Brother Ray, Political Twist, Surprise Temptation, Jess Im Worth It, and Whos The V.  

“I knew I got left back a little bit,” said Calderon, who rode Toby Sis. “They bumped her left, right but when she started gearing, she started going, she felt comfortable and she did good. She was lugging out about 150 yards before the wire. I really had to gear her and not really ride her, just gear her, which I think it cost her a little bit more, but I needed to go straight. We can probably fix that, a different bit or something. I knew she was going to lug out and being in the two (post) you have more horses to worry about.”

This was also the second consecutive year in which the winner of the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity started from post number two. The 2024 winner Lethal Cowboy 123 famously ended up in post number two after the post position selection event. 

Part of the tradition of the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity is for the connections of each horse in the race to have the opportunity to select their post positions. A random draw is held Wednesday morning before the race with the connections choosing their post position later that day. If you have the number one pick in the selection order, then every post position is available for your horse. If you have the 10^th and final pick in the order, then the choice has been made for you, and your horse will start from the last spot available.     

Toby Sis had the ninth pick this year and with only posts two and three still available, Nunez chose post number two.   

“We had pick seven for Whos The V and number nine for Toby Sis,” said owner Sammie Valeriano. “When ‘Chuey’ (Jesus Nunez) called me from the draw with what was available, I told him to take post number four for Whos The V. (Beuteeful) then took the number one post so for Tobys Sis we had either two or three. I said ‘Chuey, which one do you like?’ He told me that he’s always wanted number two, so I told him, ‘Go on and pick that two.’ It was Chuey who chose that spot.”

“They didn’t leave me the seven post, so I took post number two,” Nunez said with a smile. “I knew about Lethal Cowboy 123 and tonight we had the luck. I had a lot of faith on Toby Sis. I thought she had a really good chance to win. She has a lot of class and just kept getting better and training great.” 

The winning connections purchased her privately from her breeder after her second-place finish in the PCQHRA Breeders Futurity. Nunez knew that his job was to keep her happy at that point.

“She was already a very nice filly and not much that she could learn,” Nunez said. “The way she ran in the trials, I knew we had a good shot to win. She was one of the best in this field. She relaxed a lot and showed a lot of class. This was the (best) chance that I had to win a million-dollar race. She’s paid into the Los Alamitos Oaks next year.”

Valeriano Racing and jockey Francisco Calderon had previously teamed up to win the Los Alamitos Two Million in 2023 with AQHA champion colt Trane Station V, who was also sired by Favorite Cartel. An AQHA champion jockey, Calderon’s experience in big races served him well.

“When it’s 400 or 440, you really have to be patient because the wire is all the way at the end,” Calderon added. “You push too early you might get caught. The money is at the end. She didn’t break but I knew that she’s a filly that needs to get comfortable the first couple of strides. She did that in the trials. It was the first time I had ridden her in a race. She broke good but just wasn’t comfortable running until I gave her ahead and let her run. Then she felt comfortable. She did that today as well.”    

Ridden by Edwin Escobebo, who won the Two Million last year aboard Lethal Cowboy 123, AJ Remember Me steadily gained ground to move up from eight to fifth and eventually second place in the race. While he bumped at the start, the 28-1 longshot was also able to avoid additional traffic trouble later in the race. 

Saddled by Kelly Castaneda, AJ Remember Me earned $323,480 for his runner-up effort. The son of Apollitical Jess was third to Political Twist in the Ruidoso Futurity earlier this year and third in the Ah Sigh Stakes. He was bred by Rancho El Cabresto. 

Nellesen’s Hi Octane, who had the first choice of post position and selected post number six, earned $228,339 for running third. Jose Nicasio piloted the Utah-bred son of Apollitical Jess for trainer Kristen Watanabe. Lance and Tommy Finlinson bred Hi Octane.

Nellesen and Watanabe also teamed up with fourth place finisher Beuteeful, the winner of the Grade 1 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity. Racing from post number one, Beuteeful earned $133,198 for her effort. Rodrigo Sigala Vallejo piloted the KVN Corona filly from the rail.

West Texas Racing Partners’ Enforce had one of the roughest trips of the night. He was bumped around by both Surprise Temptation and Jess Im Worth It and it’s a remarkable feat that he was still able to finish as high as he did for jockey Jesus Rios Ayala and trainer Chris O’Dell. The winner of the Grade 1 Golden State Million final banked $114,170 for his gutsy fifth place finish in this race. 

Two racetracks were buzzing with excitement today for Stakes Races! Take a glance at the winners now, and stay tuned for our full Stakes Results!

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For the first time since 1989, a winner of the Grade 1 All American Derby has won the Grade 1 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos in the same year.  

Dashs Dream had been the last to accomplish the rare double 41 years ago in route to being named the AQHA World Champion in 1984. Fast forward to December 13, 2025 and another Dream of a runner, La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC’s 3-year-old gelding FDD Dreams has now accomplished the All American Derby/Champion of Champions double after holding off  Bobby Cox’s late flying Jeriko by a nose to win the Grade 1, $700,000 classic at 440 yards. 

Ridden by Luis Martinez to victory for trainer Xavier Rodriguez, FDD Dreams closes out his remarkable sophomore campaign with five wins from eight starts, which also featured a victory in the Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby and a sixth place finish in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Super Derby. The New Mexico homebred sired by FDD Dynasty and out of the Apollitical Jess mare Treasured Dreams earned $350,000 for winning the Champion of Champions to take his earnings for the year to $1,281,034, which currently makes him the nation’s second leading money winner in 2025 and surely the nation’s top 3-year-old and up earner of the season. 

FDD Dreams also became the first 3-year-old to win the Champion of Champions since Zooming For Spuds in 2016. He also went over $2 million in career earnings, as his 10 wins from 17 starts have now netted him a total of $2,151,835. Dashs Dream finished 1984 with the AQHA World Champion title and FDD Dreams certainly has the victories, performances and statistics to make a strong claim to the top award in Quarter Horse racing. Racing from post number six in the Champion of Champions, FDD Dreams covered the distance in :21.403.  

Jeriko once again in the Champion of Champions had a lot of catching up to do. The powerful son of One Famous Eagle was last during the early part of the race. He then moved up to fifth as he neared the halfway point as he closed in on Ed Allred’s Norco, who was off to a brilliant start from the outside post 10. By this point, FDD Dreams was on the lead as the horses closed in on the finish line with Jeriko moving closer, now up to fourth place while rolling with a full head of steam. 

In the final yards, five horses were separated by about a half-length, and at the wire it was FDD Dreams who was first across the finish line at 5-1, followed by Jeriko in second place at 9-5 odds, Reliance Ranches’ Unrelentless running third as the longest shot on the board at 48-1, and Norco holding on to fourth at 10-1. 

The great Empressum, the two-time Champion of Champions winner, was fifth across the wire in his bid to tie Refrigerator’s record of three wins in this race. Stanley Cartel, who had moved up to second in the middle portion of the race, finished sixth and was followed by Hott Temptation, Hooked N Gone, Scoops Dynasty and Rc Corona King. 

***

In the winner’s circle, owner Javier Rodriguez of La Feliz Montaña Ranchwas surrounded by a large group of family and friends, many of them who had made the trip to Southern California from Hondo, New Mexico to cheer for FDD Dreams.

“It’s too hard to describe this moment,” Rodriguez said. “We knew he could do it. It was a very tough field. He got a pretty good break, he did get (bump) at the gates, but he’s a runner and doesn’t give up. This is why we came here to Los Alamitos and he got it.”

FDD Dreams was not favored in the Champion of Champions, perhaps due to his surprising sixth place finish in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Derby, which was won by Norco at 57-1 odds. Rodriguez knew that FDD Dreams was ready to put that disappointing race behind, a race in which he didn’t leave as cleanly as his connections would have liked.

“(FDD Dreams) wants to win the big races,” the owner added. “He probably had a good chance in the Super Derby. If he had broken better, I think he’s unbeatable. It happens to racehorses. The gate is very important. It’s also luck. This time we had it and it’s an unbelievable moment. It’s hard for 3-year-olds to compete with these older horses, but he’s a tremendous horse. He comes from my mare at the ranch.”  

FDD Dreams is now the richest racehorse campaigned by La Feliz Montana, moving ahead of their 2007 AQHA World Champion Heartswideopen, that year’s All American Futurity winner bred by Kirk Goodfellow and campaigned by the Rodriguez Family. Heartwideopen would finish her career with $1,885,283 in lifetime earnings. 

Xavier Rodriguez was not yet 10-years-old when Heartswideopen was getting Quarter Horse racing’s biggest headlines. Now, the young man is making big headlines of his own, not only with FDD Dreams, but also with stablemate Political Twist, the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity winner, who is the morning line favorite in Sunday’s Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity.

“It’s been a heck of a year,” he said. “It’s been a great year. It’s surreal. From El Paso (in Texas) all the way to here. It’s just been a great year overall. I thought he was just going to be there with him. He’s shown he’s a tough horse, but I didn’t think he was going to get it. The ending was the key. That horse has heart and he sure showed it.”

Winning rider Luis Martinez thought FDD Dreams’ sharper start made all the difference in the Champion of Champions.

“We had a really good start,” Martinez said. “From early on, he got the lead and then at the end I felt pressure from the number nine horse but fortunately we got the victory. I didn’t know what to think at the end. I thought I had won it but I didn’t know the result yet. We had a tough start in the Super Derby and that cost us in the Super Derby. Tonight, we had a good start and that helped us. FDD Dreams warmed up really well and fortunately he ran great. I feel blessed for the opportunity that the boss has given me and thankful for the horse, who has run so well.”

Martinez is currently the nation’s leading rider in earnings with $3,810,993. He’ll look to add to that total, as he’ll pilot Political Twist in the Two Million.

Piloted by Jesus Rios Ayala in this race, Jeriko had his best finish in the Champion of Champions from his three starts. Fourth as a 3-year-old in 2023, Jeriko came back with another fourth-place finish in 2024. This time, his second-place finish earns him $112,000 to take his career earnings to $1,148,672. Bobby Cox bred the great Jeriko, who is now only the seventh horse with three top four finishes in the Champion of Champions history. Refrigerator, Empressum, Jess You And I, Zoomin For Spuds, Heza Dasha Fire, and Apollitical Pence are the others.  

Eduardo Nicasio piloted the Eddie Willis-trained Unrelentless to earnings of $70,000. Bred by Flag Ranch, the horse by Hes Relentless was the first to earn a Champion of Champions this year after winning the Brad McKinzie Los Alamitos Winter Championship. He’s now less than $5,000 away from going over the $500,000 mark in career earnings. Ridden by Gabriel Lara for trainer Scott Willoughby, Norco earned $49,000 running fourth, while Empressum earned $35,000 for running fifth. With $2,537,748, Empressum is third all-time in career earnings.  

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Stanley Cartel fell past the wire and immediately attended to by on-site veterinarian. He was transported back to the barn area in an equine ambulance, and track management confirmed on Saturday evening that due to the severity of the injury, Stanley Cartel was humanely euthanized.  

Today, Los Alamitos hosted the G1 Champion of Champions! Here’s a quick look at the winners. Be sure to check back for our complete and detailed Stakes Results!

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 La Feliz Montana Ranch and Ray Willis’ Political Twist will look to become the first juvenile to win California’s richest Quarter Horse, the Grade 1, $1,929,825 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity, after having already won a Grade 1 futurity at Ruidoso Downs when he takes on a stellar field that will also include two other major Grade 1 winners here on Sunday night.   

Political Twist, the 2-1 morning line favorite in the Two Million final, won the Grade 1 $1,000,000 Ruidoso Futurity at the New Mexico track and then ran a super second in the Grade 1 $3,000,000 All American Futurity on Labor Day Monday at The Downs at Albuquerque. In his Los Alamitos debut, Political Twist had an excellent performance, winning his Two Million trial by two lengths from post number seven while posting the fourth fastest qualifying time. 

Two of his main challengers will be West Texas Racing Partner’s Enforce, the winner of the Grade 1 Golden State Million Futurity and the fastest qualifier to the Two Million final, and EG High Desert Farms’ Jess Im Worth It, the winner of the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity and the only horse to qualify to the three richest futurities in California, the Ed Burke, the Golden State Million and the Two Million. Jess Im Worth It will start from the outside post number 10, while Political Twist will start from that familiar post seven and Enforce will leave the gate from post number nine. 

Political Twist, the The Mj Farms-bred gelding, arrived here with much fanfare, as his outstanding record of five wins from his first six starts also included a win in the Grade 2 West Texas Futurity.  By the end of the night, Political Twist had improved to six wins from seven starts thanks to his runaway win. When his connections had the opportunity to select their post position for the final, trainer Xavier Rodriguez opted for the same post number seven that netted the son of Apollitical Jess an excellent trial win.

“He ran pretty good through there so hopefully he can return that same race he ran in the trials,” Rodriguez said. “You can’t change something that’s not broken. The horse is a tremendous athlete.” 

Rodriguez is at the top of the sport thanks to horses like Political Twist and All American Derby winner FDD Dreams, who was part of the Champion of Champions field contested over the weekend.

“My dad was a horse trainer and I’m just following his footsteps,” he added. “So far, it’s worked out. This is a dream come true. Being out here, being at Los Alamitos, competing in these types of races with top trainers from around the country is a dream come true. It’s a good feeling and a good moment for me.”

West Texas Racing Partners, LLC’s super colt Enforce is the fifth of the famous brothers sired by Favorite Cartel and out of the broodmare Remember Me Rose to qualify to the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. Enforce joins Bomb Cyclone, Cyber Attack, Powerful Favorite and Runforyourlife as Los Al Two Million finalists, all of which have been trained by Chris O’Dell. Enforce will hope to join Bomb Cyclone and Cyber Attack as winners of the Two Million final. The O’Dell trainee, who was bred by Steve Burns and will be ridden by Jesus Rios Ayala, posted the top time of :19.666 when outdueling LA Racing Stables LLC’s Surprise Temptation in the trials.  

“What a horse,” O’Dell said of Enforce. “Bomb is the fastest horse that I’ve ever trained, no doubt…and Cyber Attack was so quick, but they were all so good. They were so different but all so good. I can’t compare him to any of them. 

“The only thing I do know is that (Enforce) is starting to learn how to break a little bit. That keeps you out of trouble. That’s what he did in the Golden State. For as big a horse as he is, he breaks pretty good. That’s something that you can’t just teach. Everybody thinks you can teach them. You can’t teach them. You can help them, but you can’t teach them. That’s just pure class and that class rises to the top. When you get good ones like this you get to think that good horses can run on any track. I was worried all night. To me it’s an impressive performance.”

Jess Im Worth, a homebred colt by A Mere Felix, is a powerful finisher but not always the quickest out of the gate. Getting the opportunity to start from the outside post 10 should provide him with a clear path to the finish line, which should play perfectly to his strong finishing kick. Ricardo Ramirez will ride Jess Im Worth for trainer Jesus Nunez. 

Owner and breeder Keith Nellesen will have two juveniles in the Two Million final in second fastest qualifier Hi Octane and sixth fastest qualifier Beuteeful, the winner of the Grade 2 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity. Hi Octane is out of stakes winner and $260,000 earner Valiantinecandyrocks, a broodmare owned by Nellesen. 

Hi Octane’s connections had the good luck of getting the first choice of post positions and they quickly opted for post number six. More importantly, they avoided an outside post for Hi Octane, as the gelding had lugged out in all three of his starts racing from the outside post. He raced in between horses in the trials and sure enough he delivered a knockout of a performance. 

“We were really excited about his chances,” Nellesen said. “He had drawn the outside in his last two races, and he broke out really far. Then he came back and he did it again. When we saw that he drew with someone outside of him (in this trial) we were happy. We know that he’s a fast horse. He finally got a chance to run. He broke straight, ran straight and looked really good.”

The gray filly named Beuteeful has lived up to her name, as she’s posted five wins from six career starts.  Her only blemish came in the Golden State Million final when she broke through the gate before the start before finishing seventh. She quickly made amends in her Two Million trial, advancing to the final while having post number one, the same spot from where she won the Kindergarten final. 

“She just knows where the front is and how to get there,” Nellesen added. 

Rodrigo Sigala Vallejo gets the call on Beuteeful, while Jose Nicasio will ride Hi Octane. 

Valeriano Racing Stables LLC, winners of the 2023 Two Million with AQHA champion colt Trane Station V, will have two standouts in this year’s Two Million final thanks to trial winners Toby Sis and Whos The V. The racing operation purchased Toby Sis right before the Two Million trials and she paid off right away with a sensation trial win to make the final. 

Veteran trainer Kelly Castaneda will saddle a pair of talented starters in this race in Corinna Sosa’s AJ Remember Me and the previously mentioned runner Surprise Temptation. Nellesen’s McColee Land & Livestock bred Surprise Temptation.  

Steve Burns, Jose Flores, Gerardo Herrera and Javier Alvarez Rodriguez’s Brother Ray will complete the field and will start from post number three. A finalist to the Governor’s Cup Futurity, Brother Ray won his trial by a ½ length while earning the 10^thfastest time.  

Here’s the field from the rail out: Beuteeful, Toby Sis, Brother Ray, Whos The V, AJ Remember Me, Hi Octane, Political Twist, Surprise Temptation, Enforce and Jess Im Worth It.

By George Duarte, Los Alamitos Night Lines Analyst

This year’s edition of the Champion of Champions is headlined by the defending and two time champion Empressum, the latest runner who has bested him in Jeriko and an up and comer who beat both of them in Stanley Cartel. Others who merit consideration are the All American winner Fdd Dreams who has hit the board in all five tries at the distance and the fast improving Norco who showed his potential in the Super Derby to qualify to this race. 

Who Benefited Most and Least from the Post Position Selections

For me the big winners of the post draw are Jeriko and Norco. Jeriko who tends to break mid pack at best draws inside of Norco who breaks either out or straight and outside of Scoops Dynasty who primarily either breaks slow or inward. Norco also won the draw due to him ensuring a clean trip from this post and he won from an outside post on debut to show he can more than handle not breaking outward too much from this post and his gate speed should give him a nice wide path. At the other end of the spectrum, this is a tough draw for Fdd Dreams who breaks inside of the fast breaker Rc Corona King, who has broke inward in three of his last five starts. Also Empressum has a challenging draw in my opinion after getting the rail for the last race of the day/night doubleheader program. Empressum also draws inside a very fast breaker who has broken inward in two of her last four starts. 

Contender I’m Taking A Stand Against 

Stanley Cartel has done nothing wrong this year, but is having to switch riders with his main rider, Armando Cervantes, on the mend. Stanley Cartel is a tricky horse to ride and had his worst effort when having a former champion jockey hop aboard in last year’s Super Derby. This rider is very accomplished but the lack of experience on him makes me hesitant to take him at 7/2 odds.

Suggested wagers on a $50 bankroll                                                                       

I think Jeriko is the deserving favorite, draws well and has every chance to run his race and I will try to create some value by getting Norco in the number while not using Stanley Cartel in the top three spots:

.50 cent Superfecta 9/1,6,8,10/1,6,8,10/1,2,3,4,6,7,8,10 = $36 

$1 Trifecta 6,8,10/9/1,2,6,8,10 = $12

The field is set for the Champion of Champions and here is how the field shapes up:

• This year’s field features many of racing’s top breeding lines. There are eight different sires and 10 different broodmare sires represented in this year’s race. The winner of the Champion of Champions has gone on to be named AQHA World Champion after 31 of the 52 runnings of this race. The last one to do it is Empressum in 2022.

• FDD Dynasty and PYC Paint Your Wagon are the only sires in this race with more than one horse in the Champion of Champions. FDD Dynasty is the sire of All American Derby winner FDD Dreams and AQHA Challenge Championship winner Scoops Dynasty. PYC Paint Your Wagon is the sire of Hooked N Gone, who is making his first appearance in the Champion of Champions, and Stanley Cartel, a two-time Grade 1 stakes winner at Los Alamitos this season. The other six sires represented are Apollitical Jess (Empressum), Pyc Paint Your Wagon (Hooked N Gone), One Famous Eagle (Jeriko), Tempting Dash (Hott Temptation), Favorite Cartel (Norco), Eye Am King (RC Corona King), and Hes Relentless (Unrelentless). Apollitical Jess is a past winner and track record holder of the Champion of Champions.

• The 10 broodmare sires in this race are First Down Dash (Empressum), Shazoom (Jeriko), Dashin Bye (Scoops Dynasty), and Pretty Boy Perry (Hooked N Gone), Apollitcal Jess (FDD Dreams), Deefirst (RC Corona King), Corona Cartel (Norco), Tres Seis (Hott Temptation), Mr Jess Perry (Stanley Cartel) and PYC Paint Your Wagon (Unrelentless). First Down Dash won the Champion of Champions in 1987 while Apollitical Jess won the 2010 running. Apollitical Jess and PYC Paint Your Wagon are the only ones to be a sire and a broodmare sire of a runner in this year’s Champion of Champions.

• By age, there are three 3-year-old in this race in Los Alamitos Super Derby winner Norco, Mildred Vessels Memorial winner Hott Temptation and All American Derby winner FDD Dreams. There are two 4-year-olds: Stanley Cartel and Unrelentless. There are three 5-year-olds: Hooked N Gone, Jeriko and RC Corona King. There is one 6-year-old: Scoops Dynasty; and there is one 7-year-old: Empressum. There are seven geldings in this year’s Champion of Champions field. Hott Temptation is the only filly while Stanley Cartel and Unrelentles are both stallions.  

• FDD Dreams is the youngest horse in this year’s field as he born on February 28, 2022. Hott Temptation was born on February 19, 2022 and Norco’s birthdate is January 25, 2022.

• The 10 horses in the field were bred in five states: Oklahoma (Empressum, Hooked N Gone, Stanley Cartel and Unrelentless); New Mexico ( FDD Dreams and RC Corona King),Texas (Jeriko and Hott Temptation); Idaho (Scoops Dynasty) and  California (Norco).

• There are three millionaires in this race in Empressum, who is the sport’s third all-time leading earner with $2,502,748, FDD Dreams, who has $1,801,835 and could go over the $2 million mark with a win here, and Jeriko, who has earned $1,036,672.  Scoops Dynasty and Hooked N Gone would become millionaires with a victory in the Champions of Champions. Scoops Dynasty enters with $810,562 in earnings. Hooked N Gone has $791,831. 

• Each horse in this race is by a different breeder. There are seven homebreds in this race led by Ed Allred’s Norco, Bobby Cox’s Jeriko, Regina Laymon’s Hooked N Gone, Ed and Von Zae McNelis’ Scoops Dynasty, Steve Holt and Jeff Jones’ Empressum, La Feliz Montana’s FDD Dreams; and Weetona Stanley’s Stanley Cartel. The other breeders with a horse in this race are Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches (Hott Temptation), Flag Ranch LLC (Unrelentless), and Baldemar Parra’s (RC Corona King).

• All 10 horses in the field have already posted at least one Grade I victory. Empressum has won 11 Grade 1 races including two Champion of Champions, while Scoops Dynasty is now a four-time Grade 1 winner after adding two more in 2025. FDD Dreams has won three Grade 1 races. Jeriko and Stanley Cartel are both two-time Grade 1 winners. RC Corona King and Hooked N Gone both have a pair of Grade 1 wins, including one restricted Grade 1 race each. Hott Temptation, Norco, and Unrelentless joined the Grade 1 winner’s club in 2025.

• There are seven horses who have already won Grade 1 races at 440 yards: Empressum has five Grade 1 wins at 440 yards. He won the 2024 and 2022 Champion of Champions, 2023 Robert Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship, and the 2021 Texas Classic Derby and Rainbow Derby at 440 yards. FDD Dreams won the Grade 1 All American Derby at a quarter of a mile, while Hooked N Gone won the 2025 Debbie Schauf Remington Park Championship at 440 yards. Jeriko won 2024  Robert Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship and Stanley Cartel won the 2025 Robert Boniface both held at 440 yards. Scoops Dynasty won the  2025 AQHA Challenge Championship and RC Corona King won the Albuquerque Fall Championship each at the classic quarter mile distance. Norco is the only runner in the Champion of Champions without a start at 440 yards.

• This will be the first appearance in the Champion of Champions for six of the 10 horses in the field.  They are Norco, Hott Temptation, FDD Dreams, Unrelentless, RC Corona King and Stanley Cartel. There have been only two runnings in which every one of the Champion of Champions participants were debuting (1972 and 2015).

Oklahoma City, OK — The Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association (OQHRA) has launched a new racing industry survey to gather insight from owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, and other participants involved in Quarter Horse, Paint, and Appaloosa racing. The survey takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete and is intended to help identify what influences racing decisions, the challenges horsemen are facing, and the priorities that matter most as the sport continues to evolve.

“Our goal is simple. We want to be an association that serves our members well. To do that, we need to know what is working, what is not, and what our members truly need. This survey gives us the opportunity to hear directly from them so we can focus our efforts where they matter most,” said OQHRA Executive Director Krissy Bamberg.

The information gathered will also help shape planning for an upcoming summit OQHRA is organizing for leaders across all states that conduct Quarter Horse racing. The summit will bring together regulators, racetrack representatives, horsemen’s organizations, and other industry partners. Its purpose is to strengthen integrity efforts, expand racing opportunities, and work toward more uniform rules and penalties across jurisdictions. Input from the survey will provide valuable context as discussions move forward.

OQHRA encourages anyone involved in the racing industry to participate and to share the survey with others who may offer useful insight.

Survey link: https://form.jotform.com/253435476227057

The Champion of Champions field is set and ready to run on Saturday December 13^th, 2025. Post Positions were drawn around 12p.m. today and are as follows:

Empressum looks to win his third Champion of Champion’s title in the last 4 runnings of the event-something that only Refrigerator accomplished in 1992, 1993, and 1994.

The Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. (QROOI) is pleased to announce the results of the 2025 Board of Directors nomination process. Nominations for Director positions closed on November 7th, 2025. The QROOI received one nomination for Nadia Faccin. We congratulate and welcome Nadia Faccin, who will serve a three-year term. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Amanda McCormack for her years of service and dedication as a Director. Amanda has stepped down from her role, and we thank her for her valuable contributions to the organization. Scott Reid agreed to stand for another term, and we are pleased to congratulate Scott on securing another three-year term on the Board. Below is the updated QROOI Board of Directors and their current terms: President – Bob Broadstock – 1 year Vice President – Chantelle Bourgeois – 1 year Director – Corey Illman – 1 year Director – Brooke Sisson – 2 years Director – John McInerney – 2 years Director – Scott Reid – 3 years Director – Nadia Faccin – 3 years We extend our thanks to all Board members for their continued commitment to the advancement of Quarter Horse racing in Ontario.

Free Racing-Exclusive Courses – Industry Ambassador is Back!#EquineGuelph announces Renée Kierans is back as Industry Ambassador! She will act as peer helper in two online courses this winter – Lameness & Conditioning (new). Free for AGCO licensees – value $95. Register at www.TheHorsePortal.ca/HBPA. More info – https://thehorseportal.ca/2025/11/industry-ambassadors-return-to-champion-free-online-racing-courses/

2025 QROOI Awards Banquet – Saturday March 7th 2026 The QROOI 2025 Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday March 7th, 2026 at the Ajax Convention Centre, 500 Beck Crescent in Ajax. Ticket costs will be $50.00 each which includes HST. You can purchase your tickets at the QROOI Head Office by credit card or e-transfer. Please contact Monique at (905) 426-7050 or by email at qrooiheadoffice@gmail.com For hotels please call Ajax Hilton Inn, 500 Beck Crescent, Ajax and Homewood Suites,600 Beck Crescent. Please also use CAA to find cheaper hotels as well. To book a room please contact the Hilton at (905) 686-9400 or Homewood at (866) 460-7456. Limited rooms available. Group cut off date is February 8th 2025, however PLEASE book your room as soon as possible as it is the start of March break and there are many hockey tournaments in the region and room availability is LIMITED to ONLY KING ROOMS, no double or queens available! We DO NOT have a large block reserved as we have in the past so please DO NOT DELAY!

Racehorse Accreditation Participants are reminded to send Applications to Accredit a Horse/Foal well before racing, to allow time for processing.Forms are available on the Ontario Racing website at https://ontarioracing.com/member-information/breeds/quarter-horse/quarter-horse-program or contact: Kathie WilkinsonQH Program Coordinatorqhprogram@ontarioracing.com416-576-6298

2025 Industry Booklet – UPDATEThe QROOI is updating our Industry Booklet to promote and advertise the Quarter Horse Race Industry in Ontario. It includes information and advertising for all aspects of the industry. The book includes Stallion Ads, Trainer Ads, Horses for Sale, Breeders program information and contacts, Stakes program information, Suppliers, etc.. We are asking participants if they wish to have content included in the booklet or if you would like to UPDATE any of your current ads to please contact the QROOI by email at qrooiheadoffice@gmail.com or by phone at 905-426-7050. If you do not have an advertisement available and wish to be included we are providing assistance to create the ads.

Kansas Quarter Horse Racing Association Stallion Auction begins Monday December 15th.

The deadline is less than a week away to donate your stallion. Go to ksqhra.com for more information.

As part of the Kansas Quarter Horse Racing Association’s mission to grow the sport of Quarter Horse racing in our state, we are excited to invite you to participate in the Kansas Jackpot Stallion Auction, taking place online from 8:00 AM Monday, December 15th 2025 through 11:00PM Saturday, January 31th 2026, at our convention that will be held at Gilley’s in Park City, KS. Bidding will be available at the convention.

This Auction – along with the Kansas Jackpot Futurity for offspring of participating stallions – was the first of its kind in the nation. For more than 33 years, the KQHRA proudly maintained this tradition, and now we have the opportunity to bring it back, better than ever. But we can’t do it without your support.

A portion of the funds raised through the auction will be dedicated to the Kansas Jackpot Futurity while the remaining proceeds will be used to help protect and strengthen the horse racing industry within our state. In addition, 5% of the purse money will be awarded to the winning sire owner, and 2% to the winning dam owner.

As a non-profit organization, KQHRA is committed to creating more opportunities for Quarter Horse racing in Kansas. This renewed program will launch with the $50,000-added 2029 Kansas Jackpot Futurity, marking an exciting new chapter for our sport.

The KQHRA encourages breeders and supporters to participate and continue the tradition of investing in the future of the Quarter Horse industry.
For more information, visit www.ksqhra.com or contact the association at 620-750-0118 ksqhra24@gmail.com or ksqhra.katie@gmail.com

Please join us in making this comeback a success. Together, we can build a stronger future for Kansas Quarter Horse racing.

Los Alamitos Race Course officials announced Monday that trainer Ramiro Castillo has been banned from operating a stable at the track following the deaths of five of his horses over the past six months. According to the track, two horses died while racing and three died from illnesses. The track stated that it has “revoked stabling, training and racing privileges” from Castillo effective immediately, following an internal investigation, meetings with him, and a review of all information. Castillo could not be reached for comment.

The Daily Racing Form reported that Castillo began training in March after taking over a stable previously run by Monty Arrossa, who was banned in 2024 for positive tests for banned medications.

The ban comes as Los Alamitos faces heightened scrutiny from the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) after a series of horse deaths, including three fatalities on Nov. 23. Following those deaths, the CHRB sent a letter to track President Cathy Allred demanding significant safety program changes, warning that the board might call an emergency meeting to consider suspending the track’s license.

In the letter, CHRB Executive Director Scott Chaney cited “alarming catastrophic injuries” and indicated that an emergency meeting would be convened unless safety improvements were implemented and injuries declined quickly.

Track officials responded that they would comply with all CHRB requirements, including weekly meetings with state regulators, and said they had already begun installing stricter safety measures and enhanced protocols. They reiterated that animal safety is the track’s top priority.

The three horse deaths on Nov. 23 brought the track’s 2025 racing fatalities to 18, with an additional 11 horses dying from causes classified by the CHRB as “other.” Los Alamitos also recorded 18 racing or training deaths in 2024.

Granada Farms would like to announce the exciting addition of Dr. Jody Norris and Rob Norris to the Granada team. Rob will be taking over as the new farm manager for Granada Farms and will be handling all the sale prepping and day-to-day management of the farm. Rob retired after 25 years in the army and spent the last 10 years in all parts of the racing industry, including breeding, sales prepping and training racing Quarter Horses. Dr. Jody Norris is a welcome familiar face and will be immensely valuable as a second veterinarian on the team. She will be handling herd health, mares and foals, reproductive and general veterinary care. Jody has come full circle, beginning as an intern at Granada Farms in 1999 and then the breeding manager in 2001. She left Granada at the end of 2008 to pursue her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, during which time she was also a part of the Equine Embryo Laboratory at Texas A&M University and helped develop the commercial ICSI program used by many practices today.

Dr. Mark Nevill is still the lead veterinarian, handling all the breeding, embryo transfer and reproductive care. He has been a vital part of the team for 35 years taking care of Granada Farms‘ clients and is looking forward to another successful season in 2026.  Dr. Nevill and Dr. Norris, along with the breeding manager, Angie Doonan, are set to have a productive and effective breeding season.

The office is managed by Erika Donaldson, who will be on her 21st breeding season at Granada Farms in 2026. Along with Beth Goode in the office, they are the ladies you most likely will speak with on the phone and are happy to help in any way.

Granada Farms is proudly owned by Pete Scarmardo and Johnny Trotter. With invaluable knowledge and expertise of the equine industry, these 2 leaders have catapulted Granada to be able to stand such remarkable stallions. The roster for 2026 includes Cyber Attack, Dulce Sin Tacha, One Famous Eagle, Hawkeye, This Is An Eagle, Eye On The Card, EC Jet One, View Me Flying, MM I Bleed Maroon and El Rey Hidas.

Please reach out to Rob at (979) 895-3282 or to the office at (979) 828-5167 if you have any questions or if Granada can help you during the 2026 season!

For the fifth straight year, Horseshoe Indianapolis set a new record for all-time highest handle wagered on live racing. The 123-day meet recently concluded with total handle surging past $287 million in 2025.

“We couldn’t be more proud of our team and our season for the results we saw this year,” said Vice President and General Manager of Racing Eric Halstrom. “We were going up against some pretty big numbers from 2024. Despite running 49 less races this year, we were still able to top last year’s figures. Our team continues to find ways to elevate our racing program, and we could not achieve this success without the partnerships with our horsemen’s organizations. They play a big part in supporting our mission and goals in creating a quality product.”

Another factor that worked against Horseshoe Indianapolis in 2025 was the reduction in turf races due to adverse weather. A total of 198 turf races were held compared to 237 in 2024, which adversely affected handle on specific racing days.

“We really struggled with weather issues this year,” added Halstrom. “Our turf course has become known as one of the best and that can be attributed directly to our track maintenance crew led by Tony Martinez. Because of them we only lost 39 turf races during the season. If they had not worked hard to keep the course going, we might have lost even more races over the turf.”

Overall, Horseshoe Indianapolis brought in $287,801,273 in total handle compared to $282,131,209 in 2024, showing an increase of 2.01 percent. That figure is expected to surge over the $300 million mark once all international outlets are accounted for and added in by the end of the year.

Total handle per race was up with a 6.39 percent increase of $252,886 compared to $236,886 last season. On track handle saw a slight jump to $4,818,434 compared to $4,724,140, a two percent increase year over year.

Horseshoe Indianapolis also recorded a new record for a single day handle as more than $9.163 million was wagered July 5 during the 31^st running of the Grade 3 Indiana Derby. The previous record was set during the 2024 Indiana Derby at $8.147 million, showing more than a $1 million increase. The sixth annual Indiana Champions Day Saturday, October 25 also set a record of more than $2.8 million wagered, which was also a new record for that event featuring both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing.

Of the 123 racing days, six were dedicated to Quarter Horse racing, which also produced a record. More than $1.273 million was wagered on the May 31 Quarter Horse card, marking a new record for a single day card for the sprinters. The second Quarter Horse day also produced a total handle of more than $1 million Saturday, June 29 with more than $1.142 wagered on the day.

The 24^th season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse returns Tuesday, April 7. For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing.

Abel Flores and James Sills’ brilliant homebred filly Shaken Goin On continued her sophomore campaign at Los Alamitos after posting the fastest qualifying time to the Grade 2 Southern California Derby here on Sunday night.

Already a three-time stakes winner at the Orange County oval this year, Shaken Goin On scored her fifth win in six starts here following a ¾ length win over Grade 1 winner Favorite Jesshawk in the first of two Southern California Derby trials. With Justine Klaiber up for trainer Eddie Willis, Shaken Goin On covered the 400 yards in :19.744. Shaken Goin On has already won the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Oaks, the Grade 3 Miss Princess Stakes against older mares and the Justanold Love Stakes on November 8.

A total of 20 sophomores competed in the Southern California Derby trials. Led by Shaken Goin On, the horses with the 10 fastest times will return here for the final on Sunday, December 21. The daughter of Freighttrain B out of Pappasito mare Shaken Pappasito will look to become the meet’s first four-time stakes winner.

“I raised her,” Willis said. “I’ve had her grandma, her momma and now her. She’s always been this kind of filly. I brought her out here where they give horses three weeks (between trials and final) thinking it would help her and it has. She likes that. She likes to run fresh. She’s real fast.”

In her career, Shaken Goin On has won nine of her 16 starts. This was her third win at Los Alamitos racing from the rail.

“She’s been on the rail at three different tracks. It doesn’t bother her,” Willis added.

EG High Desert Farms’ Favorite Jesshawk, who earlier this year won the Grade 2 Golden State Derby, posted the second fastest time of :19.855. Ridden by Ricardo Ramirez for trainer Jesus Nunez, the son of A Mere Felix also ran second in the Governor’s Cup Derby in the summer. 

Cedar Creek Tree Farm Ranch And Racing’s CCR Political Wrap continued his strong form with a third-place finish in this trial for trainer Hector Magallanes. Ridden here by Oscar Peinado, the son of Apollitical Jess posted a time of :19.860 to finish with the third fastest qualifying time. He returned to Los Alamitos after winning five straight starts in Oregon. He ran second in an allowance event here upon his return before posting this solid qualifying effort. He also hit the board in two starts at Los Alamitos during his juvenile campaign.

Francos Ranch and Mario Tellez Montiel’s Show N Tell Cartel won the second trial in the fifth fastest qualifying time of :20.032 to advance to his third derby of the season. The winner of the Grade 2 El Primero Del Ano Derby in March, Show N Tell Cartel also competed in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Super Derby on November 9, finishing seventh against a stellar field. Cesar Franco piloted the Tell Cartel gelding for trainer Elena Andrade.  

“He’s maturing so much right now,” Andrade said. “His body is getting bigger; he’s filling out more. He’s really starting to come into himself. He’s become very consistent. In everything we put him in, he seems to do his job and is getting us into big dances. He’s become very versatile. He showed tonight that he can win from the inside as well as the outside.”

Gentry Spirit’s Ohana Spirit finished second to Show N Tell Cartel, while Armando Arreola, Cheryl Stokes, and Tungsten Racing Partnership’s Train B Taka ran third. They were the only other horses to qualify from the second trial. Trained by Marc Jungers, Train B Taka ran second in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby and third in the El Primero earlier this year. 

Here’s the complete list of qualifiers: Shaken Goin On (:19.744), Favorite Jesshawk (:19.855), CCR Political Wrap (:19.860), Beach Walk (:19.872), Show N Tell Cartel (:20.032), Back At It (:20.044), Ohana Spirit (:20.055), Fire Tools 123 (:20.074), Listen Now (:20.082) and Train B Taka (:20.094).

The 2025 live racing season in Louisiana will wrap on Saturday, December 20 at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas. The evening will include the state’s most accomplished Quarter Horses competing in the richest race in Louisiana, the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity (RG1). Louisiana students will also have reason to celebrate when the  Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) awards a total of $25,000 in scholarships.

The LQHBA Scholarship Fund continues to be a high priority to LQHBA and its Board of Directors, Since the program’s inception in 2001, over $950,000 has been earmarked for Louisiana students seeking to further their education.

High school graduates and seniors graduating in 2026 wishing to attend a higher education institution are eligible. A registration table will be located on the main level of the racetrack beginning at 4:00 pm on December 20 and will close following the sixth race of the evening. Students must be present for the drawing of six (6) $2,500 scholarships after race seven. Two (2) $5,000 scholarships will be drawn following race nine.

“We are very proud to provide scholarships to deserving students,” said Bruce Salard, LQHBA executive director. “There is a rich tradition of family involvement in Louisiana Quarter Horse breeding and racing. To see young people enjoy a night of the best racing in the country and support their goals of furthering their education is extremely rewarding.”

For further information on the LQHBA Scholarship program, visit www.LQHBA.com or call (318) 487-9506.

Evangeline Downs held a pair of trials for the LQHBA Breeders Derby on Saturday night.  The finals for the $100,000-added stakes will be contested on the closing night card December 20.  The trials were contested over the 350-yard distance over a fast track.  The LQHBA Breeders Derby is for 3-year-old Louisiana-breds.  

Fans were treated to a spirited duel as Gold Gun Z prevailed over San Lorenzo Chrome to be the fastest qualifier for the LQHBA Breeders Derby.  Jockey Noe Castaneda and Gold Gun Z broke like a rocket and were able to create some separation from San Lorenzo Chrome in the opening strides.  The two runners battled all the way to the wire but Gold Gun Z would not be denied and held on for the victory by a head.  The winner stopped the timer in a flashy time of 17.621 seconds and earned a speed index of 98.

Gold Gun Z is owned by Party Time Racing (Jerry Deville and Jose Espinosa) and trained by Jose Espinosa.  Fourth in the 2024 Million behind San Lorenzo Chrome, he wins for the sixth time in 12 career starts.  The winning purse of $6,000 increases his career earnings to $323,654.

The bay gelding was bred by Slash Z Quarter Horses and is sired by Gold Heart Eagle V.  He is out of the Tres Seis mare Cf Smokin Gun.

Listed below are the 10 fastest qualifiers for the LQHBA Derby from the fastest time down.

 Horse                                                             Jockey                                               Trainer                                                Time_

1             Gold Gun Z                                                      Noe Castaneda                            Jose Espinosa                               17.621

2             San Lorenzo Chrome                                Arturo Alvarez                                Juan Garcia                                     17.642

3             Moneys On                                                      Federico Vargas                           Vann Haywood                              17.819

4             Your Wagon Or Mine                                  Rene Hernandez                          Juan Manual Vidal                      17.955

5             Beleavin                                                             Pedro Chavarria Espinosa     Kenneth Roberts, Sr.                 17.955

6             Xdw Jess a Rogue                                        Jorge Javier Garcia                      Luis Martinez, Jr.                          17.958

7             Blackjack Tlc                                                  Ubaldo Luna                                   Brenda Foster                                17.986

8             Hes Bold as Corona                                  Jorge Havier Garcia                    Luis Martinez, Jr.                          18.068

9             Freighttrain Lee                                             Victor Manuel Miranda            Santiago Garcia                           18.159

10          Fast Dashin Lou                                           Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr.      Larry Keith                                        18.222 

Live racing resumes on Wednesday with a 5:35pm first post.  The Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse season runs through December 20.

For more information on Evangeline Downs visit the track’s website at https://evangelinedowns.boydgaming.com/racing.  

Evangeline Downs information can also be found on Twitter @EVDracing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.  

Evangeline Downs held 11 trials for the 2025 LQHBA Louisiana Million Friday night. The trials were contested by Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds.  The finals, with the largest purse regardless of breed in Louisiana, will be the headliner on a banner 12-race closing night card Saturday, December 20.  

The fastest qualifier for the $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million was San Lorenzo Bossman in the fourth trial of the evening.  Jockey Leonardo Rodriguez had his mount away in good order and they displayed an impressive burst of speed to run away from their rivals.  The winning margin was a convincing 1-3/4 lengths over Last Eagle V, a runner that also qualified for the finals.  The running time for the 400-yard distance was 19.751 seconds over the fast track and earned the winner a speed index of 96.

Bred by Robicheaux Ranch Inc, San Lorenzo Bossman is a bay colt sired by Apollitical Blood.  He is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Runawa Renee.  The fastest trial qualifier is owned by Rogelio Marquez, Jr., whose San Lorenzo Chrome captured the 2024 edition of the Million.

Trained by Juan Garcia, San Lorenzo Bossman is a winner for the third time in five career starts.  The winning share of $9,000 increases his bankroll to $22,735.

Rf Fast Dash N Blood, winner of three Louisiana futurities to date, easily won his trial and made the field as the second fastest qualifier.

Listed below are the 10 fastest qualifiers for the Louisiana Million from the fastest time down.

 Horse                                                             Jockey                                               Trainer                                                Time_

1             San Lorenzo Bossman            Leonardo Rodriguez                  Juan Garcia                                     19.751 

2             Rf Fast Dash N Blood                Jorge Javier Garcia                      Josue Ponce                                    19.879

3             Luziana Man                                   Noe Castaneda                            Jose Espinosa                               19.946

4             Jedi James                                       Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr.          Luis Martinez, Jr.                          20.027

5             Lrh Henry T                                      Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr.      Trey Ellis                                            20.052

6             Last Eagle V                                    Yaidel Rodriguez                          Alex Clark                                         20.063

7             Marcy Train B                                  Nestor Duran                                 Josue Ponce                                    20.076

8             Jessapilottrain                              Noe Castaneda                            Jose Espinosa                               20.082

9             San Lorenzo Chicken                Leonardo Rodriguez                  Juan Garcia                                     20.108

10          Mucho Man Train B                     Jose Ariel Rodriguez                  Kenneth Roberts, Sr.                 20.112

Evangeline Downs will close out the week on Saturday with a 5:35pm first post.  A pair of trials for the LQHBA Derby highlight the card. The Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse season runs through December 20.  

For more information on Evangeline Downs visit the track’s website at https://evangelinedowns.boydgaming.com/racing.  

Evangeline Downs information can also be found on Twitter @EVDracing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.