CYPRESS, CA— Doodah Cartel did it for Bernie Erickson. Racing for the partnership of Thompson Racing, Alexis Andrade, and Paul Jones, the Favorite Cartel colt outdueled stablemates Politician V and Jarvis V to win the running of the Grade 1, $202,500 Los Alamitos Winter Derby. On Valentine’s Day on Saturday night, it was a victory defined by heart, serving as a tribute to the man he was named after: Debbie Thompson’s father, Bernie Erickson, who passed away in 2024.
Paul and Marin Jones named the colt after Bernie’s favorite saying, “Doodah!” which he would exclaim whenever he arrived at a family gathering, a party, or when joining his family and friends in the Vessels Club at Los Alamitos Race Course.
“Doodah Cartel… Bernie Erickson will be smiling on this, Doodah!” track announcer Michael Wrona called as Doodah Cartel hit the wire a neck in front of Valeriano Racing Stables’ Texas Classic Futurity finalist, Politician V. Valeriano’s Jarvis V, a stakes winner at Los Alamitos, finished third, while LA Racing Stables’ Notoryous completed the top four in the first major derby of the racing year.
The night, of course, belonged to the memory of Bernie Erickson. A huge group gathered in the winner’s circle to celebrate the colt named after his trademark greeting. With Henry Reynoso Lopez back aboard after his masterful ride in the trials, the Thompson Racing and Jones-bred runner covered the 400 yards in :19.663.
Trainer Paul Jones enjoyed a record-extending fifth Winter Derby win—his first since 2012. “This was a great victory tonight,” Jones said. “His name says it all. He’s such a special horse, but he’s more than special because of his name and because of the memory of Bernie. It makes it all worth it.”
With tears in her eyes, Debbie Thompson held tight to the winner’s blanket in the charmed circle. “This is for my dad. That’s all I have to say.”
Terry Thompson has been a part of many big horses and many big victories, but perhaps none as special as Doodah Cartel’s first Grade 1 win.
“Our partners have been great; Alexis and his family have been fantastic,” Terry Thompson said. “Paul and I have been partners for a long time, and this takes the words away. Paul and Marin Jones named him and surprised Debbie and I with the breeder’s certificate. This horse has been a godsend. It’s got us rejuvenated in the sport again. It’s been since Favorite Cartel that we’ve won a Grade 1… Before the race I said, ‘Come on Bernie, we need one good one,’ and he did.”
Just three weeks ago in the trials, Doodah Cartel ran what Jones described as a “one in a million” race, recovering from a terribly troubled start to post the fastest qualifying time.
“I watched it from the same spot that I watch the races and as soon as he broke, I put my head down and I said, ‘gosh darn it we’re out of it,’ ” Terry Thompson added. “And then I looked up probably five seconds later and here Henry shifts him to the inside, and he ends up making a heck of a run. It’s historic. Just hearing it now with Michael’s voice saying it again, it gives me the chills. It’s amazing that one horse can bring you into the industry full-fledged and you want to get back into this thing. Kudos to Doc (Ed Allred) and Cathy Allred for everything they’ve done.”
For Alexis Andrade, who traveled from Arizona to be a part of this special night with his partners and his horses, this is one win that he’ll never forget.
“My thanks to Paul and Terry for allowing me to be a part of this team,” Andrade said. “It’s been a great experience. This is my first Grade 1 race. I’ve been in racing since 2020, but since I was a kid, I’ve been watching videos of Walk Thru Fire and Stel Corona. It’s been a childhood dream and it’s come true.”
Doodah Cartel earned $85,050 for the win, bringing his career earnings to $257,999. This was also his fourth victory in 12 starts and this fourth start in a grade stakes event following appearances in the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity, Grade 2 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity, and Grade 1 Golden State Million Futurity, in which he also posted the fastest qualifying time.
His dam is Suite Expectations, who the Thompsons and Jones campaigned to a successful career earning $132,917. Suite Expectations’ dam is Just A Fairytale and her granddam is Christie Jo Dash, both winning mares for Blaine Bateman at Los Alamitos. Among those in attendance cheering on Doodah Cartel was Mr. Bateman, who joined the owners for the winning snapshot.
Ridden by Bryan Candenosa for trainer Jesus Nunez, Politician V earned $34,425 for running second. His stablemate, Jarvis V, earned $24,300 for running third with Francisco Calderon up for Nunez. Fourth place finisher Notoryous earned $14,175 after his fourth-place finish.
Rounding out the field, SM My Valentine—born on Valentine’s Day—ran a solid fifth on his birthday to earn $12,150 for owners Santos Montemayor and Omar Torres. SG Jacob Jay, Got You Figured, Shinning Favorite, and Walk When I Walk completed the field of a memorable 26th running of the Los Alamitos Winter Derby.
