Dream Team outfinishes Howdy in Friday's feature at Los Alamitos

Dream Team appreciated a return to dirt, outfinishing 8-1 shot Howdy by a half-length to win the $54,890 feature Friday at Los Alamitos.

Making his second start since being claimed for $32,000 by Tricar Stables, Inc. July 24, the 4-year-old Tapit colt was always prominent through moderate fractions under jockey Tiago Pereira and prevailed after a stretch long duel.

Out of the Beau Genius mare Pretty ‘n Smart and trained by Sal Gonzalez, Dream Team completed the mile in1:35.98. The win was his fourth in 11 starts and the $30,000 payday pushed his bankroll to $142,020. He returned $11.80, $5.20 and $3.80 as the 9-2 fourth choice in the field of seven.

A $1 million purchase as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale in 2013, the chestnut is now-2-for-4 at Los Alamitos. He won an optional claimer over the surface May 1 when trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.

Howdy, who also had scored at Los Alamitos for trainer Peter Eurton during the 2016 Spring meet, finished 2 ¾ lengths clear of stablemate and 7-1 shot Just Kidding.  Howdy paid $8.60 and $5.40 while the show price on Just Kidding was $6.

Completing the order of finish were Chief of Staff, 8-5 favorite Grazen Sky,  Arizona Moon and Teniente Coronel.  Infobedad and Madiba were scratched.

Jockey Christian Aragon, who was unseated from Lucky Snow at the start of Friday’s eighth race, was scheduled to undergo X-rays after complaining of shoulder soreness. Lucky Snow, a 3-year-old Lucky Pulpit gelding, appeared uninjured.

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

Fans are invited to come to Los Alamitos to see California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year and North America’s richest thoroughbred with over $13.2 million in earnings, work five furlongs Saturday morning. There will be signage posted directing fans where to go to watch the drill.

The work is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. as the son of Lucky Pulpit, who has been stabled at Los Alamitos since January, 2014, continues his preparation for the Grade I, $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes Oct. 1 at Santa Anita.

Saturday is California Chrome Day at Los Alamitos. Mariellen Yarc, the mayor of the City of Cypress, and Los Alamitos Racing Association general manager Brad McKinzie will make a special presentation to members of the 5-year-old’s team, including trainer Art Sherman, between the fourth and fifth races.

There will also be a California Chrome plush toy giveaway – one per paid admission while supplies last – and a video montage will feature highlights of the California bred’s career.  In addition, there will be California Chrome posters located throughout the track for fans to write a message to members of Team California Chrome.

The main event on the nine-race program is the $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes for California breds – 3-year-olds & up – at one mile. Topping the field of five is Soi Phet, who is a two-time stakes winner at Los Alamitos. The Johnston goes as the eighth race.

Source: Los Alamitos Race Course