Eastex Gets Ready for El Primero Derby

Eastex who was stunned in last month’s $706,000 Golden State Futurity as the overwhelming favorite, returned to the track for the first time since that defeat Thursday night at Los Alamitos and posted a 3 length victory.

Eastex, a 3-year-old gelding who established horse racing history by learning $1,573,622 as a fresh man in 1984, established the fastest qualifying time to next week’s $270,000 El Primero Del Ano Derby with his victory Thursday.

Ridden by Bruce Pilkenton, Eastex, began pulling away midway through the 400-yard race and never looked back en route to a time of 19.81. He paid $2.40, $2.20 and $2.10 as the 1-5 favorite.

Earlier in the night, the two horses that had beaten Eastex in the Golden State Futurity, ran 1-2 in the first division of the trials to earn the second- and third-fastest times.

Easy Austin, winner of the Golden State Futurity, was, however, upset as Lanes Leinster outran him to the wire in 20.02 seconds to record the win. Easy Austin earned more than $466,000 last year, while Lanes Leinster had earned $262,200 as a 2-year-old.

Lanes Leinster paid $8, $2.20, and $2.20.

In the other trial division, Wrangler Sam, fourth in the Golden State Futurity, was an easy winner with a time of 20.12.

The El Primero Del Ano Derby, for 3-year-old colts and geldings will be run on Jan. 12.