Fast Start Helps Mini Rock Win
Mini Rock lived up to her billing, winning the $161,700 La Primera Del Ano Derby at Los Alamitos on Saturday night. The 4-5 favorite won the 400-yard race in 19.62 seconds, earning her fifth victory in 11 career starts.
The race was over after the break with Mini Rock breaking quickly and remaining unrattled despite the prerace nerves of Sister TA in the adjacent gate.
“It was fortunate to have her break well,” winning jockey Joe Badilla said. “She ran a very fast time and ran a good race.”
The victory gives trainer Blane Schvaneveldt a record 350 career stakes victories at Los Alamitos, and his fourth La Primera Del Ano Derby victory. Schvaneveldt won in 1981, 1986 and 1988.
“I came here in 1968 and never thought I’d win 350 races,” Schvaneveldt said. “I started training for Jay Parsons [owner of Mini Rock] in 1971 and I’ve been training for the Parsons ever since.”
Mini Rock’s first-place finish was worth $67,914.
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