LOS ALAMITOS : Past Due Revenue Commanding

Longshot Past Due Revenue, in handing Dicey Secret a stunning defeat in the trials for the PCQHRA Breeders’ Derby, set the top time for last Friday night’s final at Los Alamitos.

Before the trials on Sept. 29, Dicey Secret had been unbeaten in seven qualifying races. The filly had also won the Grade I Governor’s Cup Derby and the California Sires Cup Derby. But when she hooked Past Due Revenue in the second of two derby trials, her luck changed.

Past Due Revenue, ridden by Jerry Lee Yoakum, was fractious before the start. When the gates opened, however, the Tolltac gelding had his mind on running and took command of the 400-yard race.

Running perfectly from the inside post position, Past Due Revenue, at odds of 30-1, cruised to a two-length victory, stopping the timer in 19.88 seconds. With Joe Badilla Jr. aboard, Dicey Secret drifted out slightly during the race and finished second, qualifying for the final with the sixth-fastest time.

Winning the first trial under jockey Alex Baldillez was Coast Express, who had the second-fastest time for Friday’s final. Coast Express, a proven stakes performer, finished second in the Governor’s Cup Derby and Pomona Handicap and fourth in the Town Policy Handicap this year.

The 10 finalists: Past Due Revenue, 19.88 seconds; Coast Express, 19.95; Duardo, 20.05; First Down Hussey, 20.06; Meddlin Mistress, 20.11; Dicey Secret, 20.17; Perfectly, 20.24; Special Azure, 20.25; Skirt Chasin Alibi, 20.25, and Intricate Tender Val, 20.31.

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Magnificent Effort, fastest qualifier for the PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity, followed up his impressive trial performance with a victory in the finals of the $281,000 futurity last Friday night.

Heavily favored Red Hot Rhythm, who won the Kindergarten Futurity earlier this season, broke through the gates, then was bumped repeatedly at the start and wound up 10th.

“After he broke through the gates, he lost his concentration,” jockey Ralph Seville said. “When the gates opened he just wasn’t ready.”

Trained by Blane Schvaneveldt, Magnificent Effort took the opportunity to post a half-length victory over Dashing Millie, winning the richest race of the meet thus far.

Owned by Robert Jensen of West Jordan, Utah, Magnificent Effort will take the rest of the year off.

Los Alamitos Notes

Two jockeys were involved in a spill in the seventh race Saturday night. Robert Marrs was thrown when his horse, Mostyn’s Rose, broke down in the 4 1/2-furlong thoroughbred race. Call Me Splendid stumbled over Mostyn’s Rose, throwing Dusty Stimpson. Both jockeys were taken to Los Alamitos Medical Center for X-rays and were released later that night with minor injuries.

The Connie Hall-trained Pies Royal Request won his first local race in the $12,000 Easy Jet Overnight Handicap on Saturday night. The gelding had previously tied for the most consecutive victories by a quarter horse, winning 14 races in a row through July 9 in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. . . . Jockey Justin Vitek, one of the leading apprentice riders at Del Mar in 1994, is now riding at Los Alamitos. Vitek is expected to ride mostly thoroughbreds and some Arabians.