Artesia Holds On to Win La Primera
The experienced stakes performer Artesia pulled out to a slight lead midway through Friday night’s $260,800 La Primera Del Ano Derby at Los Alamitos Race Course and then held off a late rally by Honor the Doctor to win the first derby of the new year.
A daughter of Timeto Thinkrich, Artesia was the biggest money-earner entering the race after several stakes-placed performances, and Friday night she added another $110,318. The victory increased Artesia’s earnings to $218,369 during her 14-race career.
Ridden by the 1984 national jockey champion, John Creager, Artesia ran the 400 yards in 20:15 seconds. She paid $6.20, $3.60 and $3.60.
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