This Trainer Has Two Alibis for Tonight’s Governor’s Cup

John Conley landed a trainer’s dream job when owner Jens List, ranked 10th nationally in victories in 1993, offered him a string of 15 horses at Los Alamitos.

Conley will saddle two 2-year-olds tonight in the Governor’s Cup Futurity. With a $150,000 purse, the 350-yard race is the richest of the meeting so far.

Tys Alibi and Skirt Chasin Alibi are owned by Carl Patopea, who bought them from List. Patopea, a friend of List’s, gave Conley six horses to condition.

Tys Alibi started four times before winning a maiden race for $6,250 claimers. Skirt Chasin Alibi has yet to win but has qualified for three futurities.

With five sets of trials to determine the 10-horse field for the Governor’s Cup, the best juveniles made the cut. Miss Kindergarten Futurity winner Ah Sigh clocked the fastest time of 17.75 seconds but the 10th qualifier was only 0.22 of a second slower.

Tys Alibi and Skirt Chasin Alibi are by Sir Alibi, who stands at List’s Double Bar S ranch. Both colts, as are all of Conley’s starters, were ridden by Alex Badillez, a fellow Texan and one of Conley’s closest friends.