Didericksen Returns to Ride Refrigerator

Jockey Kip Didericksen, who announced his retirement on Dec. 1, will return Saturday to ride Refrigerator in the $250,000 Champion of Champions quarter horse race at Los Alamitos.

Refrigerator, trained by Blane Schvaneveldt, is the 8-5 morning line favorite in the 440-yard race, which is expected to play a large role in determining quarter horse racing’s champions. The 4-year-old gelding has won two major races at Los Alamitos this year and is the richest quarter horse in training with earnings of $1,465,872.

From the rail, the field includes Junos Request with jockey Steve Treasure; Ima Lark, G.R. Carter; Six To Five, Eddie Garcia; One Slick One, John Creager; Sound Dash, Saul Ramirez; Bills Ryon, Bruce Pilkenton; Refrigerator, Didericksen; Femmes Frolic, Jerry Yoakum; Ed Grimley, Henry Garcia, and Dash Master Miss, Luke Myles.

Schvaneveldt also trains Six To Five, Bills Ryon, Ed Grimley and Dash Master Miss.

Refrigerator won the Vessels Maturity and Los Alamitos Championship last summer but finished second to Shawnes Diamond in the Go Man Go Handicap at Hollywood Park in late October.

A victory by Refrigerator probably would lead to him being voted World Champion. Rare Form, another leading contender, won a trial for the Champion of Champions on Dec. 4, but has been scratched because of a leg injury.