Ambitious Brew Sits Perfect Trip in E.B. Johnston

Taking full advantage of a gorgeous trip just off the pace, Ambitious Brew picked up his first win of 2015, defeating Soi Phet and six others in the $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes Saturday at Los Alamitos.

Able to maneuver outside pacesetter Avanti Bello in the opening quarter of a mile under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Ambitious Brew, the 3-2 favorite, took charge early in the stretch and went on to win by 1 ¾ lengths.

Trained by Marty Jones for owner-breeder Pamela C. Ziebarth, the 5-year-old gelded son of Tizbud and the Forest Wildcat mare Kathwen completed the mile in 1:34.29 while winning for the fifth time in 14 starts.

The victory was his first in only his second start on dirt – both at his home track. Ambitious Brew finished second behind Magic Mark in the Betrando Stakes July 2 in his initial appearance on the surface.

In winning for the first time since he captured the Sensational Star Stakes on turf Feb. 22, 2014 at Santa Anita, Ambitious Brew, who has earned $338,130, paid $5, $3.20 and $3.00

“He got a great trip,’’ said Jones . ‘’(Smith) didn’t want to go with that horse (Avanti Bello) that wanted the lead and was able to slide out and be in the garden spot. But that’s Mike. In the big races that’s what he does.

“I was confident. This horse was training really well and he had run well here before. He seems like he’s getting back to himself. He’s a pretty good horse, so hopefully he can keep moving forward.’’

A double stakes winner at Los Alamitos last year, Soi Phet, the 7-2 third choice, finished 2 ½ lengths in front of 44-1 shot Avanti Bello and returned $5.20 and $4.60. The show price on Avanti Bello, who was making his initial start on dirt, was $7.40.

Completing the order of finish were Storm Comin Thru, Motown Men, the 8-5 second choice, Old Man Lake, Spud Spivens and Chanito.

One race after the Johnston, jockey Edwin Maldonado collected his 1,000th career victory, guiding 7-1 longshot Nite Delite to a half-length score in the $50,000 maiden contest for California bred or sired fillies and mares.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, but raised in Puerto Rico, Maldonado, 32, has won riding titles at both the now-shuttered Hollywood Park and Fairplex Park.

A 3-year-old daughter of War Chant, Nite Delite is trained by Art Sherman for owner F. Jack Liebau, vice president of the Los Alamitos Racing Association.

Racing resumes Sunday at Los Alamitos. Post time is 2 p.m.

The nine-card is highlighted by the $75,000 Contender Stakes for 2-year-olds at six furlongs.

Mt. Veeder, an impressive debut winner for George Bolton and Stonestreet Stables LLC and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, heads the field of six. The rest of the field includes Phantom Heat, Bistraya, Panther Creek, Bully Pulpit, who enters off consecutive victories at Del Mar, and Paynes Prairie.