Jones Hopes to Block Lakerville

Marty Jones plans to test the stakes waters Saturday with Ambitious Brew and Mr. Ornery in the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for California-breds at about 6 ½ furlongs on Santa Anita’s unique downhill turf course.

Ambitious Brew will be making only his second stakes start in this, his seventh lifetime race, while Mr. Ornery makes his stakes debut in start No. 13.

“They’re stepping up in class and Lakerville’s a tough horse, but they both have run well down the hill and they’re doing well, so we’ll try him,” Jones said.

Ambitious Brew, a 4-year-old gelded son of Tizbud owned and bred by Pamela Ziebarth, won Nov. 3 in his first try over the downhill course. He has never been worse than second in six starts.

Mr. Ornery, a 5-year-old Cee’s Tizzy gelding owned and bred by Donald and Sally Valpredo, also won over the same course on Jan. 20 despite an eventful trip.

The field for the Sensational Star: Kate’s Event, Victor Espinoza; Coach Bob, Kent Desormeaux; Summer Hit, Rafael Bejarano; Lakerville, Gary Stevens; Ain’t No Other, Mario Gutierrez; Mr. Ornery, Kayla Stra; and Ambitious Brew, Brice Blanc.