From Los Alamitos Publicity
CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 25, 2024) — Heading into the first turn of the $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes Saturday at Los Alamitos, jockey Edwin Maldonado had a good feeling the race was going to end well for him.
The all-time leader with 142 daytime thoroughbred wins, Maldonado was aboard Man O Rose, the 11-10 favorite in the one-mile race for California breds and it was the first venture beyond 6 ½ furlongs for the 4-year-old.
“He broke great and had his ears forward going into the first turn,’’ said Maldonado.
Providing owner-breeders Bruce and Beverly Zeitz and trainer Jeff Mullins with several options moving forward, Man On Rose dominated his six opponents, ultimately prevailing by eight lengths.
The win was the fifth in seven 2024 starts and his seventh in 12 lifetime appearances and the $42,000 payday pushed his earnings to $319,840.
Out of the Good Journey mare Kathleen Rose, Man O Rose completed eight furlongs in 1:35.52 and paid $4.20, $3 and $2.60.
Mullins said he had been waiting for the opportunity to stretch Man O Rose out and had considered doing it earlier this year in the Bertrando Stakes, which was run June 22 during the Los Angeles County Fair meet.
“We were told The Chosen Vron was going to run in the race, but then he ended up not running,’’ said Mullins. “We would have probably been in the Bertrando, but we were trying to avoid The Chosen Vron at the time.
“(Maldonado) said he threw his ears forward around the first turn and that’s a sign that he’s in cruise control. Once he makes the lead and he’s got his ears forward it’s going to take a pretty nice horse to get by him.
“We have a lot of options with him now and don’t forget he can run on the grass as well.’’
The gelding, who has won five of his last six races, is 3-for-7 on turf and was second in two of his defeats.
Dont Fight the Fed, the 7-1 fourth choice, completed the exacta, finishing two lengths in front of 7-2 third choice Coalinga Road. Dont Fight the Fed returned $5.60 and $3.80 while the show price on Coalinga Road was $3.
Cowboy Mike, the 7-2 second choice, Shortman, El Rey Dorado and Fast Draw Munnings completed the order of finish. Rhino was scratched.
Racing resumes Sunday at Los Alamitos. Post time is 1 p.m.