CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2019) –Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Oliver won Saturday’s $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes for California-breds at Los Alamitos.
Oliver is by Papa Clem, out of the Premiership mare Snobby Princess, was bred by Thomas Bachman, is owned by William Peeples and trained by Doug O’Neill.
“I am very proud of him,” said assistant trainer Leandro Mora. “I talked to Doug this morning and he asked me which one of our horses I liked on the card today and I told him I liked Oliver. I like the way this horse is improving, so I felt confident. He’s just matured a lot as he’s gotten older.’’
The $30,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has won two in a row – he romped to a five-length score in an optional claimer at six furlongs last month at Del Mar. He has four wins in 13 starts and earnings of $228,076.
The 3-1 second choice in the field of eight horses bred or sired in California, Oliver returned $8.80, $5.60 and $3.80 while completing the mile in 1:35.32.
Tule Fog, a 22-1 shot, was second, five lengths better than 8-1 shot Queen Bee to You. The runner-up and third place finishers had been 1-2 earlier this year in the Bertrando Stakes in their last appearance at Los Alamitos with Queen Bee to You finishing a nose in front of Tule Fog that day (June 29).
Tule Fog paid $15.60 and $7.60 while Queen Bee to You’s show price was $3.60.
Completing the order of finish were 8-5 favorite Cruel Intention, California Journey, Fire When Ready, Smokey Image and Shades of Victory, who was 80-1 when he won the 2018 Johnston.