Sausalito Sunset gives Koriner another victory at Los Alamitos

Sausalito Sunset, the 11-10 favorite, led virtually throughout to win the $36,185 feature Friday at Los Alamitos.

Owned by Pete Parrella’s Legacy Ranch, Inc. and trained by Brian Koriner, the 2-year-old Slew’s Tiznow filly out of the Forestry mare Sausalita defeated 8-1 shot Cioppino Pasadino and four others for her second win in four starts.

Ridden by Jamie Theriot, Sausalito Sunset completed the six furlongs in 1:11.36 and pushed her earnings to $55,200. She returned $4.20, $2.80 and $2.60.

Cioppino Pasadino, who finished 2 ¼ lengths behind the winner, was 1 ¾ lengths clear of 30-1 shot So Heres the Thing, who rallied late to gain third by a half-length over a troubled Red Apple.

The runner-up paid $6.20 and $4.80 while the show price on So Heres the Thing was $6.

Resky Business and You’re the Reason, the 3-1 second choice, completed the order of finish.

Lilac Street was a late scratch after breaking through the gate, causing a slight delay to the start of the race.

Sausalito Sunset’s win was the fourth of the meet for Koriner, enabling him to move into a four-way tie for the top spot in the trainer standings with two days remaining in the meet. Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Peter Miller and Doug O’Neill, who doubled Friday, also have four victories through 10 racing days.

Earlier in the day, jockey Rito Almanza, a native of Peru, collected his first Los Alamitos victory, guiding Chocolate Goddess to an easy victory in the fourth race.

Stewart Elliott remains clear in the jockey’s race. He has 11 wins, four more than closest pursuer Santiago Gonzalez.

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

The main event on the program is the most lucrative race of the meet – the $200,000 Los Alamitos Derby.

A Grade II for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles, the Derby is the eighth of nine races and has a scheduled post time of 5:28 p.m.

Owned by the Hronis Racing LLC of Kosta and Pete Hronis and trained by John Sadler, Accelerate, who is 2-for-2 since being stretched out to one mile, is the 2-1 favorite on Russ Hudak’s morning line.

There will also be a Los Alamitos carryall bag giveaway Saturday – one per paid admission while supplies last.

Source: Los Alamitos Race Course