LOS ALAMITOS, CA–NOVEMBER 24, 2024–"Coffee is for closers" is one of the most famous lines in the 1992 film Glengarry Glenn Ross. When it came to trials to the Grade 1, $1,832,950 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity Brown Coffeee was sizzling hot at the start and just as good when closing mightily on the way to a robust 1 ¾ length victory in the ninth of 12 trials to the meet's richest race here on Sunday night.
Lethal Cowboy 123, under jockey Edwin Escobedo, posted the second fastest time in trial 10. © William Zuazo
Marc Junger's tremendous campaign continued in the Los Alamitos Two Million trials after Lethal Cowboy 123, who ran second to American Dreamin in the Golden State Million, defeated a field that included the previously unbeaten Up To Party in the 10th trial of the night.
Owned by Caliche Walls Venture, Alan Isbell, Lance Bland and Jimmy Barton, Lethal Cowboy 123 lugged out from the outside post nine in this trial but still posted a ¾ length victory in a time of :19.792.
Bred by Veronica Gail Kawananakoa, the gelding by Flying Cowboy 123 out of the First Down Dash mare Pretty Lethal was picking up his fourth win in seven career starts. He also posted a 1 ¾ length win in his trial to the Golden State Million.
For Jungers, this has been a career year. The trainer has won 48 races this year for earnings of nearly $2 million. In addition to Lethal Cowboy 123, his top runners this season have included Grade 1 winners Asscher, Relentless Eagle and Shakers No Secret, who will race in next month's Champion of Champions.
It's been crazy," Jungers said of his season. "From being evacuated from Ruidoso (because of New Mexico wildfires) to now just being on an unbelievable high. We got lucky and headed for the win in the Dash For Cash Derby with Asscher and Relentless Eagle. They then came back and won their specific derbies, the Texas Classic Oaks for Asscher and the Texas Classic Derby for Relentless Eagle. What a heck of an end of the year for us."
"I was a little nervous when (Lethal Cowboy 123) broke because he kind of ducked in and then drifted out. Once he got laid out and leveled, he really came running. We knew he had a lot in him so we'll see what happens. He loves the distance and can go down the racetrack." Edwin Escobedo was aboard Lethal Cowboy 123.
Cowboy Bolt (#4) and My Budd (#6) qualifying from the third trial. © William Zuazo
Flying Cowboy 123 is also the sire of fifth fastest qualifier Cowboy Bolt, the big winner in trial three for owner J. Francisco Diaz and his son, Lindoldo. Jesus Rios Ayala piloted the Chuck or Cyndi Thomson-bred Cowboy Bolt. This will be his first futurity final, but he's been in the money in all six of his career starts now.
Golden State Million Futurity(G1) winner American Dreamin, under jockey Armando Cervantes, qualifying in the second trial. © William Zuazo
Dunn Ranch's American Dreamin will look for a futurity double at Los Alamitos after winning the Golden State Million and now having a spot in the Two Million finalist.
Ridden by Armando Cervantes for trainer Monty Arrossa, the homebred American Dreamin is undefeated in four starts at Los Alamitos and could become the highest-earning 2-year-old filly in 2024 with a big effort in the final.
Apolitical Chilitas won a shake for the 10th spot after dead-heating with Apprehensive for second to Ohana Spirit. © William Zuazo
One of the biggest winners on trial night was Licon Farm and Ranch LLC's Apolitical Chilitas, as the filly by Apollitical Jess won the shake for the 10th and final sport to the Two Million final. Apolicital Chilitas needed some luck to advance after she finished in a dead-heat for second place when facing Brown Coffeee in the trials.
After that dead-heat finish with Johnny Trotter's Apprehensive, the two had identical times of :19.997. The shake was held at the end of the trials with Lady Luck smiling on Apolitical Chilitas and her connections. Cruz Mendez rode Apolitical Chilitas for Jose Flores.
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For additional information on breeding, contact Royal Vista Ranch Farm Manager—Laura Erickson—at (405) 449-7575.
Story and images courtesy of Stallion E Search.
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