Aj Born Runner (#10), under jockey Eduardo Nicasio, holds off Nymphette (#1) in the $35,00 Denim N Diamonds Handicap (at Los Alamitos Saturday night.
© Amber Mendez
LOS ALAMITOS, CA–FEBRUARY 24, 2024–Eduardo Nicasio became only the 10th jockey in Los Alamitos history to reach 100 stakes wins here after piloting P and J Racing Ltd’s homebred mare AJ Born Runnin to her first career stakes win in the $35,000 Denim N Diamonds Handicap on Saturday night.
A gorgeous 4-year-old gray mare by leading sire Apollitical Jess and out of Tres Seis mare Runaway Tres Seis, AJ Born Runnin earned $19,250 for her fourth in 17 starts. This was her seventh start in a stakes races, a string of appearances that includes four different Grade 1 stakes races during her career.
"This filly has been good since she’s two," Gomez said. "She’s made all the big races and she’s been unlucky not to win something until now. This is the first stakes we win with her and I’m proud for her owners. They deserve the best. Great race, great runner, great owner, and great jockey. Great night for all of them."
AJ Born Running covered the 350 yards in :17.653 while improving her career earnings to $228,988. Ridden by Jesus Rios Ayala for trainer James Glenn, Jr., Nymphette had a good break and was strong throughout to earned $7,875 for her second-place finish. The daughter of multiple stakes sire Fly Thru the Fire has been in the money in six of her eight career starts.
Manuel Alvarez’s Gotta Corona Jess, also by Apollitical Jess, earned $4,375 for running third under jockey Juan Pablo Leon and trainer Sergio Morfin.
The top three were followed by Favorite Lady Cartel, Budder Off Friends, She Goes Up, Frivolous, All Prettied Up, Cir Lady Moon, and Remember Her.
For additional information for breeding contract call Royal Vista Ranch farm manager Laura Erickson at (405) 449-7575.
Story and images courtesy of Stallion E Search.