Golden State Series—Bertrando Stakes
FAMILY FIRST
DESMOND DOSS WINS FIRST STAKES IN BERTRANDO
© BENOIT PHOTOS
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BY TRACY GANTZ
ick Alexander had a particular reason for claiming Malley Girl, the dam of $100,000 Bertrando Stakes winner Desmond Doss, for $62,500 in 2006. Alexander was pretty much responsible for the flly’s family.
Nick Alexander’s Desmond Doss, a handsome gray homebred son of Grazen, defeats
“Te line has been in our family for a Tom’s Surprise in the Bertrando Stakes at Los Alamitos long, long time,” Alexander said. Alexander bought Reckless Rose, Des- horse ran second in the Tiznow Stakes came out of the gate,” said the trainer. mond Doss’ third dam, for $10,500 as a and third in the Sensational Star Stakes. “But Valdivia covered him up like you’re yearling in 1986 from Tree Rings Ranch But he put it all together for trainer Steve supposed to do.” at auction. Reckless Rose’s foals include Miyadi and jockey Abel Cedillo in the Desmond Doss then gave up even Alexander homebred Sunday’s Child, June 26 Bertrando at Los Alamitos going more ground, running fourth of the Desmond Doss’ second dam. a mile. fve runners as the feld headed into “I went through a really down year, and Desmond Doss broke alertly from the the fnal turn. But as it turned out, I got discouraged and I sold of her mom rail and quickly took the lead, then re- that allowed Cedillo to rally the horse and her,” said Alexander. linquished it to Scary Fast Smile into the outside of rivals deep in the turn. Once Tus, Blooming Hills bred Malley Girl, frst turn. Tom’s Surprise and jockey Jose Desmond Doss had a clear path in the a daughter of Malek and winner of the Valdivia Jr. hustled up on the rail, which stretch, he wore down Tom’s Surprise to 2005 Cover Gal Stakes. put Desmond Doss third between horses score by a half-length in 1:36.80, with “Tey put her in for $62,500, and I going down the backside. Luvluv third. claimed her,” said Alexander. “I’ve always Miyadi said after the race that he “We had to wait on the turn,” said Celoved the family. Desmond Doss has a thought Desmond Doss would be posi- dillo. “He’s a steady, steady type horse, couple of siblings that were useful horses tioned where Tom’s Surprise was early. and once he got out for the stretch run, he and stakes-placed, but the mare had never “I think that was the plan when he went after the leader and got him.” produced a stakes winner before. Desmond Doss is equally adI was happy that we fnally got ept on dirt or turf. there.” “I’d like to keep him on To the cover of Alexander’s dirt, but the next level on good California sire Grazen, dirt against open company Malley Girl has produced stakesis tougher, especially at Del placed Grazenette and Shy CarMar,” said Miyadi. melita. She also has six-fgure A strapping gray, Desmond earners Gracias and Hazardous Doss was winning his ffth race when bred to other stallions. in 15 starts. At frst it looked like Des“He’s a warrior,” said Alexanmond Doss, also by Grazen, der. “He’s a beautiful, beautiful might be another stakes-placed horse, a big, strong, gorgeous runner for Malley Girl. Earlier Trainer Steve Miyadi, left, joins Nick Alexander, with trophy, horse. He’s always been a pretty this year, the 5-year-old entire and jockey Abel Cedillo in the Los Alamitos winner’s circle easy horse to be around.” 28
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