Patriots Rule Nips Eddie's First at Los Al

Favored Patriots Rule was up in the final stride to defeat pacesetter and 2-1 second choice Eddie’s First in the $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes, the opening day feature of the inaugural Fall meet at Los Alamitos.

The 4-5 favorite in a field of five California bred 3-year-olds reduced after Better Bet and longshot Princesskatiebella were scratched, Patriots Rule, who was ridden by Fernando Perez,  prevailed by a nose while setting a track record for 6 ½ furlongs.

A gelded son of Tribal Rule and the Seattle Bound mare Candy Factory, Patriots Rule completed the distance in 1:14.60, bettering the standard of 1:15.59 set by Doinghardtimeagain in winning the Grade II Great Lady M. Stakes July 12 during the Summer Thoroughbred Festival.

The victory was the third in nine starts for dark bay and pushed his earnings to $186,680.

Able to make a clear lead through moderate fractions (23.26 and 46.18 for the half-mile) under jockey Elvis Trujillo, Eddie’s First had two lengths with an eighth of a mile to run, but couldn’t quite last while 7 ¾ lengths clear of maiden Arctic Code, the longest shot in the field at 28-1.

Worse than third only once in his last five races, Patriots Rule paid $3.60, $2.40 and $2.10. Eddie’s First returned $3.40 and $3.20 while the show price on Arctic Code was $4. What a View and Solid Wager completed the order of finish.

“I didn’t want to change my horse’s style, ‘’ said Perez. “I was hoping somebody would go with (Eddie’s First), but he got away. My horse just kept coming and coming and coming and we got there.’’

One race earlier, Regally Soul – who was also ridden by Perez - set a track record for six furlongs, rallying to defeat favored Brannaman and four others in the $48,458 optional claimer.

The one-length victory in 1:08.73 was the second in as many local starts for the 4-year-old Perfect Soul gelding. Owned by a large partnership and trained by Walther Solis, Regally Soul was a 21-1 winner in a starter allowance July 3.

The final time Friday bested the previous record of 1:09.12 set by Valdirone July 11.

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

The nine-race program will be highlighted by the $200,000 Los Alamitos Mile, the richest race of the Fall season, and a work between races by 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome. The supporting feature is the $75,000 Beverly J. Lewis Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 6 ½ furlongs.

Stabled at Los Alamitos since early this year, the California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit will prep under regular rider Victor Espinoza between the third and fourth races.

Idle since finishing in a dead heat for fourth in the Belmont Stakes June 7, California Chrome, who is owned by Steve Coburn and Perry Martin and trained by Art Sherman, is readying for his return in the Grade II, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby Sept. 20 at Parx.

Contenders in the Los Alamitos Mile, which is for 3-year-olds & up, include 7-5 morning line favorite Masochistic, Sky Kingdom and Soi Phet, both stakes winners during the Summer Thoroughbred Festival in July, and $1.3 million earner Clubhouse Ride.

After the races conclude Saturday, fans are invited to stay for an Elton John tribute concert featuring Kenny Metcalf as “Elton and the Early Years.’’

Source: Los Alamitos Race Course