The King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos ended on an exciting note as 2-year-old colt Shea Brennan pulled off a dramatic win. Making his first start around two turns, Shea Brennan edged out I’m a Bad Boy by a nose to claim the $102,000 prize. This victory also marked a successful day for jockey Antonio Fresu, who celebrated three wins during the meet’s final day.
A Milestone Victory for Shea Brennan
In this highly competitive race, Shea Brennan showed grit and determination to secure his second win in five starts. The chestnut colt, owned by Nick Alexander and trained by Phil D’Amato, has never finished worse than third in his career. He completed the one-mile race in 1:38.46, earning $60,000 and bringing his total winnings to $144,600.
Trainer Phil D’Amato praised Shea Brennan’s potential: “He’s got a lot of heart and determination. The two-turn distance really helped him today.”
A Strong Performance by I’m a Bad Boy
I’m a Bad Boy, who came into the race as the only horse with two wins among the competitors, finished half a length ahead of the race favorite, R Heisman. Despite falling short of the victory, I’m a Bad Boy earned $6 and $3.80 for place bettors.
R Heisman Falls Short of Expectations
R Heisman, trained by Peter Miller, was the 3-2 favorite and hoped to secure Miller’s third consecutive win in the King Glorious Stakes. However, R Heisman had to settle for third place, returning $2.40 for show bettors.
Other Contenders in the Field
The King Glorious Stakes featured a field of nine California-bred or sired juveniles. Whiskyginandbrandy, Got’m Cot’m, and Hardtobebetternow were among the competitors, but none could match the front runners’ late burst of speed.
A Winning Day for Antonio Fresu
Jockey Antonio Fresu, who rode Shea Brennan to victory, had an exceptional day with three wins at Los Alamitos. Fresu described Shea Brennan’s effort, noting the colt’s raw talent but acknowledged that he is “still learning” and “was playing around a little bit in the stretch.”
Why This Race Matters
The King Glorious Stakes is a showcase for promising young California-bred or sired horses. For Shea Brennan, this victory highlights his potential as a serious contender in future races. His ability to adjust to two turns and his fighting spirit in the stretch set him apart. With continued training and experience, he’s expected to develop into an even stronger competitor.
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