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TEXAS-BRED PUTS A RIBBON ON HIS JAMES SMITH VICTORY
Fast Prize Ribbon, under jockey Cruz Mendez, winning $25,000 James Smith Handicap on Saturday night at Los Alamitos Race Course.
© Scott MartinezCYPRESS, CA–APRIL 2, 2022–Jose Adrian Aleman’s A Famous RIbbon has settled in nicely on the West Coast since arriving via Evangeline Downs and Lone Star Park for the start of the 2022 season.
In his three starts at Los Alamitos this season, the Texas-bred gelding by world champion sire One Famous Eagle has won twice, including two terrific wire-to-wire wins.
His most recent victory came in the $25,000 James Smith Handicap on Saturday night, as the Weetona Stanley-bred runner broke sharply from post number six in route to a half-length victory over multiple stakes winner Up The Ladder.
Ridden by Cruz Mendez for trainer Jose Flores, A Famous RIbbon covered the 350 yards in :17.612. His other victory came in an impressive local debut, as he finished powerfully to win a trial to the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby by 1-¼ lengths. The only time that he hasn’t found the winner’s circle in California came when he finished fourth in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby on February 19.
"He’s impressed me every time," trainer Jose Flores said. "He’s done well here so far. He’s eligible to the trials to the Adequan California Derby Challenge (on May 1). If he keeps performing at this level, we might need to consider other big derbies at Los Alamitos later this year."
One race that the connections could be eyeing in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Super Derby. Supplementing him to the Super Derby will come at a price of $30,000 if the payment is made by July 1.
A Famous RIbbon earned $13,750 for the win to take his career earnings over the $50,000 mark of $50,990. Out of the Corona Cartel mare Fast Prize Ribbon, he has won four of seven career starts.
Ed Allred’s Kiddy Up gelding Up The Ladder earned $5,625 for his second place finish. Ridden by Jonathan Roman for trainer Scott Willoughby, the Kiddy Up gelding came into this race after winning the Holiday Handicap and the Dream A Secret Handicap in his previous two outings.
Andrea and Eddie Jensen’s Mound Valley Eagle, a son of second-crop sire One Fabulous Eagle who won the Beehive Futurity in Utah, finished third in this race. He earned $3,125 for his solid effort.
Namgis Azzom on By, Docs Fastlane and All Ways completed the field.