The $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby (gr. II) July 5, and the $200,000 Great Lady M Stakes (gr. II) July 12 will highlight a stakes schedule worth more than $1.1 million during the inaugural summer Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos Race Course July 3-13.
The track's summer meet will run eight days and will be held on a Thursday through Sunday basis. The stakes action gets underway on opening day July 3, with the running of the $100,000 Bertrando Stakes at one mile for 3-year-olds and up for California-bred or California-sired horses. The Bertrando is a Golden State Series eligible event. On Independence Day, July 4, the featured race will be the $75,000 American Flag Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward at 1 1/16 miles.
The meet's richest race will be July 5 with the running of the $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles. California Chrome, winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), is among the nominated horses to the Los Alamitos Derby. The race was previously run as the $150,000 Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park at 1 1/8 miles. The stakes action on opening weekend will be completed by the $75,000 Cypress Stakes for 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.
The closing second weekend will be highlighted by the Great Lady M Stakes for fillies and mares over 6 1/2 furlongs July 12. The race was previously run as the A Gleam Handicap at seven furlongs at Hollywood Park. Closing day July 13 will feature a pair of $100,000 stakes for 2-year-olds at six furlongs. The open event is named the Willard L. Proctor Memorial Stakes while fillies will compete in the Cinderella Stakes. Both races were previously contested at 5 1/2 furlongs at Hollywood Park.
2014 LOS ALAMITOS SUMMER THOROUGHBRED STAKES SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, JULY 3 (Opening Day)
$100,000 Bertrando Stakes (Golden State series eligible event), 3-Year-Olds and Up, California Bred or California Sires, One Mile
FRIDAY, JULY 4
$75,000 American Flag Stakes, 3-Year-Olds and Up, 1 1/16 Miles
SATURDAY, JULY 5
$500,000 Los Alamitos Derby (gr. II), 3-Year-Olds, 1 1/8 Miles
SUNDAY, JULY 6
$75,000 Cypress Stakes, 3-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies & Mares, 1 1/16 Miles
SATURDAY, JULY 12
$200,000 Great Lady M Stakes (gr. II), 3-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies & Mares, 6 1/2 Furlongs
SUNDAY, JULY 13 (Closing Day)
$100,000 Cinderella Stakes, 2-Year-Old Fillies, Six Furlongs
$100,000 Willard L. Proctor Memorial Stakes, 2-Year-Olds, Six Furlongs