First Prize Chicks, under jockey Cruz Mendez, holds off Million Dollar Kiss in the $16,000 Kip Didericksen Handicap at Los Alamitos on Friday night.
© Scott Martinez

LOS ALAMITOS, CA—SEPTEMBER 30, 2016—Kip Didericksen, one of top Quarter Horse jockeys in the history of Los Alamitos Race Course was known for his strong work ethic. Didericksen was always determined and had a lot of genuine try.

And in fact, that same try is the exact quality that helped First Prize Chicks win the $16,000 Kip Didericksen Handicap at Los Alamitos on Friday night.

Up until that night, the three-year-old sorrel filly had not yet won any of the races she had been entered to run in this season. According to one of her owners from Five Livestock Company, “(First Prize Chicks) shows a lot of promise. She always runs her heart out and honestly gives it her all every time. (We) really can’t ask for much more.”

With long 17-1 odds, First Prize Chicks, ridden by jockey Cruz Mendez, picked the perfect night to enjoy her first win of the year. Trained by Monty Arrossa, the Weetona Stanley-bred filly posted a half-length victory over 15-1 longshot Million Dollar Kiss and big favorite For Sweet Jess, which ran third. The victory was described by her connections as “exactly what this filly needed,” and “a nice confidence booster all around.”

Sired by the recently deceased Spit Curl Jess and out of the Country Chicks Man mare First Prize Chic, the Oklahoma-bred filly earned $8,800 for the win to take her career earnings to $21,988. This was her fourth win in 16 career starts. Her last victory prior to this one also came at Los Alamitos dating back to early October 2015 when she won her trial to the Wild West Futurity.

First Prize Chicks was not the only one celebrating her win Friday night, though. Didericksen, originally from Preston, Idaho, was not able to visit Los Alamitos this year, but had family and surrounding connections who made the special trek for Friday’s race. Presenting the trophy in the winner’s circle was Kip’s father, Duayne Didericken.

“We couldn’t be happier with the way the night turned out,” Duayne Didericksen said. “This race is so important to us. We are so glad we could make it.”

Jerry Champman's homebred Million Dollar Kiss picked up $3,600 for second. Bret Vickery trains the Jess Louisiana Blue filly out of Stoli Kiss, by Stoli. Jesus Rios Ayala was aboard the graded stakes-placed earner of $82,995.

Multiple stakes winner First Sweet Jess earned $2,000 for his third place finish. Hector Magallanes conditions the son of second crop sire One Sweet Jess for owner Ruben Magallanes. K & R Allred Ranch, LLC bred the gray gelding in Arizona from the Chicks Beduino mare For Some Cash. Eulices Gomez was aboard. First Sweet Jess has earned nearly $77,000.

Time For Jesse Lee, Mf Jesstacit, Volcoms Seperator, A Good Move and My Friend Cindy completed the field.

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