LOS ALAMITOS : Ashby’s Triple Highlights Weekend

Trainer Lynn Ashby had the kind of weekend most trainers only dream about when she won three stakes races at Los Alamitos in two days, including the $166,875 Drinkers of the Wind Futurity.

Ashby, the country’s leading Arabian trainer, spent most of the year at Delaware Park before traveling to Los Alamitos for the lucrative Arabian stakes this fall.

Last Friday night, Ashby saddled Patriot Missle, who won the California Derby, and Charley Horse, who scored an upset victory in the Drinkers of the Wind Futurity. Saturday, Ashby sent out Easter IA to win the California Oaks and Electyra, who finished second in the $151,940 Daughters of the Desert Futurity.

At odds of 20-1, Charley Horse upset favored Southern Storm to win the Drinkers of the Wind Futurity, the country’s richest Arabian futurity.

“He didn’t know he wasn’t supposed to win,” said Jacqueline Brauninger, who owns Charley Horse with her husband, Buzz. “He didn’t know he was 20-1.”

While Charley Horse benefited from a clean trip in the six-furlong futurity, favored Southern Storm ran into trouble and, despite a huge late run, could not catch the winner.

“[Jockey] Tommy [Zamora] and I said we had to make the lead,” Ashby said. “That’s the only way [Charley Horse] will run. He doesn’t like to come from out of it. Horse after horse took a run at him. He’d hear the horses coming up on him and he’d take off again.

“We didn’t get in any traffic problems. He just had a good trip. The race set up perfect for Charley. He was the best horse . . . because of racing luck.”

Charley Horse earned $59,608 of the purse after stopping the six-furlong timer in 1:21. The win was the second for Charley Horse, who broke his maiden at Delaware Park before finishing fourth behind TC Tomdooley in his futurity trial.

Earlier on Friday night’s card, Ashby captured the $30,000 California Derby with Patriot Missle, who is also owned by the Brauningers. Patriot Missle scored an easy 10 1/2-length victory, destroying his competition and showing Los Alamitos patrons why he is one of the nation’s best Arabians.

“We were very nervous coming into this race,” Ashby said, referring to Patriot Missle’s battle with a bacterial infection before being shipped to Los Alamitos less than a week before the race. “He’d been off for six weeks, and we wanted to see how strong he’d come back.”

Patriot Missle is preparing for the Arabian Cup Championship night on Nov. 11 at Los Alamitos. If the 4-year-old colt can win the $50,000 California Arabian Cup International that night, he will be the first horse in history to capture the Arabian Triple Cup, earning a $100,000 bonus.

Los Alamitos notes

After posting the fastest qualifying time for the $151,940 Daughters of the Desert Futurity, Cash Onthe Spot won the final last Saturday night. Jockey Gary Boag rode Cash Onthe Spot to the victory, her fourth in six career outings. . . . Magna Terra Smoky, Arabian racing’s all-time leading money earner, added to his record by winning the $10,450 Pioneer Stake Friday. The 9-year-old gelding accomplished the feat carrying the high weight of 127 pounds and spotting the field from nine to 15 pounds. Owned and trained by Barbara Jagoda, Magna Terra Smoky has earned $281,555 and won 44 races. . . . This weekend’s featured event is Saturday’s Breeders Classics Championship night, when eight quarter horse stakes races will be held on one night, including the Breeders Championship Classic. . . . Edward Allred’s Keeps posted the fastest qualifying time for the $200,000 Golden State Futurity after winning the first of three trials Friday night. Ten 2-year-olds will line up for the final on Nov. 10, including stakes winners Red Hot Rhythm, Splash Bac and Mega Storm.