LOS ALAMITOS : Former Jockey Pursues First Major as a Trainer

Former jockey Danny Mitchell has a chance to win his first major stakes race as a trainer with The Money Crunch in tonight’s $80,000 California Derby at Los Alamitos.

The Money Crunch, a 3-year-old Tolltac filly, moved to the Mitchell stable in August and since has won three of four races and finished second in the Governor’s Cup Derby.

Ridden by Joe Badilla, Jr., The Money Crunch ran 400 yards in 20.10 seconds in the derby trials Sept 23, easily winning the heat and qualifying fourth for the final.

The Money Crunch will have to overcome the inside post position in the final, where she will race champion 2-year-old filly and fastest qualifier Jumping Tac Flash, among others.