Miller saddles Big League, California Diamond in Barretts Juvenile
Trainer Peter Miller holds a strong hand with Big League and California Diamond in the $100,000 Barretts Juvenile Sunday at Los Alamitos.
Scheduled for 6 ½ furlongs and restricted to colts or geldings offered for purchase at any Barretts sale, the Juvenile is the eighth of nine races. Post time Sunday is 2 p.m. Approximate post time for the Juvenile is 5:30 p.m.
There is also a Los Alamitos baseball cap giveaway – one per paid admission while supplies last – Sunday.
A Speightstown ridgling out of the Dixie Union mare Reunited owned by Gary Hartunian’s Rockingham Ranch, Big League has a win and a second in two starts and earnings of $77,800.
After breaking his maiden by 3 ¼ lengths in his July 30 debut, the Kentucky bred returned to chase eventual Del Mar Futurity winner Klimt in the Grade II Best Pal Aug. 13.
California Diamond is already a stakes winner, having taken the Santa Anita Juvenile July 9 when trained by John Brocklebank for Twin V Farm.
Purchased for $125,000 by Miller for Rockingham at the Barretts paddock sale July 23 at Del Mar, California Diamond, a son of Harbor the Gold, has since finished second in both the Graduation and I’m Smokin Stakes.
Out of the Slewdledo mare Carrie’s a Jewel, California Diamond is 2-for-4 with earnings of $156,100.
Trainer Doug O’Neill will try for his second Juvenile win in three years at Los Alamitos when he sends out the already well-traveled Crosscheck Carlos for Erik Johnson’s ERJ Racing LLC, Slam Dunk Racing and Neil Haymes. Johnson is a defenseman for the National Hockey League’s Colorado Avalanche.
A son of Custom for Carlos and the Summer Squall mare Wheresmylady, Crosscheck Carlos has won two of three and banked $98,600 for O’Neill, who won the 2014 Barretts Juvenile with Wake Up Nick.
Foaled in Louisiana, Crosscheck Carlos has yet to compete at the same track twice. After breaking his maiden by 6 ¾ lengths vs. $50,000 maidens June 12 at Santa Anita, the colt won the $100,000 Shine Young Memorial Futurity July 16 at Evangeline Downs in his native state, then was second in the $100,000 Gold Rush Futurity Aug. 14 at Arapahoe Park in Colorado.
The only member of the Barretts Juvenile cast with a race at Los Alamitos is Dutt Bart.
Trained by Mike Harrington for a partnership that includes Albert Chou, Tim Deweese and breeder Terry Lovingier, the Empire Way colt out of the Essence of Dubai mare Applaud Dubai scored in his debut locally April 29.
Sixth in the Everett Nevin Stakes at Oak Tree/Pleasanton and runner-up in an optional claimer at Del Mar in two subsequent races, Dutt Bart has earned $45,325.
Completing the field are two maidens – Dude’s Dude and Malibu Magic – owned and trained by Bobby Wayne Grayson.
A son of 2011 Hollywood Gold Cup winner First Dude and the Curlin mare Miss Velocity, Dude’s Dude is winless in three starts with earnings of $13,700 while Malibu Magic, a Malibu Moon colt out of the Came Home mare Come Home Lady, finished sixth when 33-1 in his Aug. 25 debut.
From inside out, the field for the Barretts Juvenile: Crosscheck Carlos, Jamie Theriot rides, 120 pounds; Big League, Norberto Arroyo, Jr., 118; Dude’s Dude, Tyler Baze, 116; Dutt Bart, Stewart Elliott, 120; California Diamond, Kent Desormeaux, 123 and Malibu Magic, Alonso Quinonez, 116.
Source: Los Alamitos Race Course