LOS ALAMITOS : Vessels Stallion Farm Winning Again With Fishers Dash

Vessels Stallion Farm is back in the winner’s circle at Los Alamitos, this time with Fishers Dash, who posted the fastest qualifying time for the $150,000 Governor’s Cup Futurity.

Fishers Dash, starting in the first of six trials last Friday night, broke on top from the outside post position in the nine-horse field and destroyed his competition, finishing 1 1/4 lengths ahead.

“He broke really well, but hopefully he will improve in the finals,” veteran jockey Kenny Hart said.

The winning time of 17.80 seconds for the 350 yards stood up through the remaining five trials for the June 23 restricted Grade I final.

Fishers Dash, trained by Bob Gilbert, was sired by the Vessels Stallion Farm’s top stallion, First Down Dash, the 1987 world champion quarter horse. His dam is Fishers Favorite, a multiple stakes winner of more than $210,000.

Fishers Dash is a full brother of Check Her Twice, a winner of $210,000 and the Grade I Golden State Futurity and California Sires Cup Futurity. The promising gray colt is also related to stakes winners Spirit De Corps and First Femme.

Another well-bred 2-year-old, second-fastest qualifier Splash Bac, will be trying to stop Fishers Dash. Splash Bac is a full brother of 1992 champion 2-year-old filly Jumping Tac Flash. Jumping Tac Flash earned nearly $150,000 in her championship career, winning the California Sires Cup Futurity and the Grade II Miss Kindergarten Futurity.

Under the guidance of jockey Kip Didericksen, Splash Bac recovered after being bumped at the start to catch early leader Mega Storm and win the third trial by half a length. The colt covered the distance in 17.83 seconds, the second-fastest time in the six trials.

“He didn’t break real well,” Didericksen said. “We were behind by about a half-length and it just took him about half the race to get going.”

The Governor’s Cup Futurity trial was Splash Bac’s first start under the lights at Los Alamitos. Owned by David Payne, Splash Bac is conditioned by trainer Blane Schvaneveldt.

Los Alamitos Notes

Speedy Lunch scored his second consecutive stakes victory in the $21,550 Table Tennis Handicap last Saturday. Carrying the high weight of 125 pounds, Speedy Lunch held off the closing charge of the thoroughbred Western Scout to win by half a length. The 8-year-old gelding was hand-timed in 44.90 seconds for the 870 yards.