Los Angeles 'Cap Coming Up Strong
Cost of Freedom seeks to become the first horse to win consecutive runnings of the Los Angeles Handicap when the race is run for the 59th time on Memorial Day, but it won’t be easy.
The venerable California-bred 8-year-old gelding will be challenged by two other formidable Cal-breds, M One Rifle and Amazombie, in the Grade III test at six furlongs.
Cost of Freedom led all the way to win the race in 1:08.49 last year and give trainer John Sadler a record fifth win in the sprint. M One Rifle faded to fourth last year but defeated Cost of Freedom by one-half length in the Cool Frenchy Stakes May 7 in track-record time of 55.98 for five furlongs. M One Rifle is trained by Bruce Headley, a three-time Los Angeles winner whose Street Boss set a track record of 1:07.55 winning the race in 2008.
Amazombie, a 5-year-old gelding trained by Bill Spawr, has emerged as the new kid on the block in recent months, including victories in the Grade II Potrero Grande and Tiznow stakes in his last two outings.
Chantal Sutherland will be back aboard M One Rifle while Mike Smith has the call on Amazombie. Other probable starters include Gato Go Win (Garrett Gomez) and Supreme Summit (Rafael Bejarano).
Possibles include Camp Victory and Indian Firewater, who worked five furlongs in a bullet 59.60 Sunday.
The only horse to win the Los Angeles twice was Native Diver, in 1965 and 1967.