By Dennis Miller
PLEASANTON, Calif. (July 3, 2016) — For any jockey to win a stakes race, there needs to be a certain amount of calmness during the ride.
Sunday in the $100,000 Everett Nevin Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds in the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meet during the Alameda County Fair, jockey Julien Couton was about as cool as the other side of the pillow in guiding Llobo — a graduate of the Northern California Yearling Sale — to the win.
Llobo is by Tribal Rule, out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Serena’s Echo, was bred by Cole Ranch, is owned by Robert Jones or Lloyd Mason and is trained by Mason. The $34,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has won both career starts with earnings of $73,520.
Trained by Lloyd Mason and assistant trainer Faith Taylor, Llobo was in a power-packed field of seven 2-year-old horses going 5 ½ furlongs in the richest stakes race during the 12-day Oak Tree meet.
With speed all inside of him, Couton kept Llobo just off the pace and outside instead of forcing the horse to battle for the lead and more advantageous spot on the inside.
“I didn’t worry coming around,” said Couton. “I felt like I was in a good spot. He’s 100 percent professional and he’s got a good mind for a 2-year-old.”
In his only other start, Llobo rolled along through a straight maiden race on just June 12 at Golden Gate Fields, starting 5th and working his way through to win by almost two lengths.
Sunday, Couton and Llobo hung around second place heading into the turn and then started to take control as they hit the top of the lane.
“He really extended,” said Couton. “He has the ability to put you where you need to be. We just keep going and when I didn’t see anyone else, I knew we were good.”
The winning margin was two-lengths over Tchula Sunset, a $17,500 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale, and another length over Rinse and Repeat. Rinse and Repeat is from the connections of owner Paul Reddam, trainer Doug O’Neill and jockey Mario Gutierrez. If the names sound familiar it’s because the trio combined to win the Kentucky Derby with Nyquist this year.
The ownership group of Llobo said the Cavonnier Stakes at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa on August 14th is the target for his next start.