A Ransom Is ‘Champions Favorite

At 2-1, A Ransom is favored to win Sunday night’s Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos, just as his sire, First Down Dash, did in 1987.

First Down Dash was later voted quarter horse world champion, and A Ransom, who’s undefeated in four starts this year, could add to the family’s title reputation.

A Ransom, who’ll be ridden by Carlos Bautista for trainer Connie Hall in the $400,000, 440-yard race, won two of six starts in 1998 as a 2-year-old. He was gelded at the end of that year and has won nine of 13 races since then.

Deelish, beaten by a head against A Ransom in the Los Alamitos Championship on Oct. 7, is also in the 10-horse field. They’ll break from the gate this way: A Delightful Dasher, A Ransom, Deelish, Willie Wanta Dash, Separatist, Jakes Jockmo, Corona Kool, Runaway Wil, Chicks First Policy and Hes My Dasher. Jacky Martin, who rode SLM Big Daddy to consecutive Champions of Champions wins in 1997-98, rides Chicks First Policy, who’s 9-2 on the morning line.

Ten 2-year-olds are entered for tonight’s $1.2-million Los Alamitos Million Futurity, which is a 400-yard race. Dashing Knud, the 4-5 favorite, has won seven in a row and was the fastest qualifier. Next at 6-1 is Corona Cocktail, who has finished third twice when running against Dashing Knud during his streak.