Los Alamitos Derby : Chingaderos Rallies to Win

Chingaderos, with John Ward aboard, won the 33rd running of the Los Alamitos Derby Saturday night at Los Alamitos.

Chingaderos, trained by John L. Cooper, made the 440-yard run in 21.86 seconds. The Derby record is 21.56, set by Prissy Fein in 1985 and Sgt Pepper Feature in 1981.

Chingaderos broke cleanly from the gate and lagged slightly behind the pack. But by the midway point he had caught the leaders and battled Streakin Dash and Kipcash for the win.

“The first 350 yards the outside horse outran him,” Ward said. “But he caught him from there and ran a nice race.”

Chingaderos paid $5.20, $3.80 and $3.60. Second-place Streakin Dash paid $5.40 and $6.80. Third-place Kipcash paid $4.80.

Chingaderos had only paced second in his trial heat for the Derby, qualifying fifth with a time of 21.89.

The win was worth $73,996 to Chingaderos’ owners, Carol and Michelle Cooper.

Streakin Dash owner Jimmy Coffman earned $31,306, and Kipcash owner Alexander Goden $17, 076.

Saturday night’s crowd of 8,492 was the second largest at Los Alamitos this season.