Refrigerator Wins, Puts the World Title on Ice

Jockey Kip Didericksen won the final race of his career Saturday, guiding Refrigerator to victory in the $250,000 Champion Of Champions at Los Alamitos.

Didericksen, 26, of Buena Park announced his retirement Dec. 1 because of health problems involved in maintaining his weight, but he returned to ride Refrigerator one last time. It was Didericksen’s 1,671th victory.

Refrigerator, the 4-5 favorite, broke well in the 440-yard race and won by one length over Sound Dash, who narrowly edged Ed Grimley.

Refrigerator was timed in 21.37 seconds and paid $3.80, $2.40 and $2.80. Sound Dash paid $20.20 and $9.20 and Ed Grimley $4.

Refrigerator virtually clinched the American Quarter Horse Assn. world championship with the victory. He also won the Los Alamitos championship and Vessels Maturity last summer.