Jockey Abel Cedillo.
Jockey Abel Cedillo capped a four-victory Saturday with a gate-to-wire score aboard favored Risk and Reward in the $54,116 feature at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, Calif.
The quadruple by Cedillo, 32, clinched his second local riding title. The Guatemalan-born jockey, who led the 2020 Los Angeles County Fair Winter meet, has 15 victories through the first eight days, six more than closest pursuer Kyle Frey, who has only five scheduled mounts Sunday, the final day of the LACF season.
Making his first start beyond seven furlongs, Risk and Reward, a 3-year-old Frosted colt out of the Indian Charlie mare Shayjolie, took charge early and improved his position from there, eventually prevailing by five lengths over 2-1 second choice Margot’s Boy. He completed the mile in 1:35:02 and paid $5.60, $3.20, and $2.40 as the 9-5 choice.
Owned by breeder Speedway Stables LLC and trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Risk and Reward is now 2-for-4 with earnings of $75,200. He broke his maiden July 25 at Del Mar, upsetting well-regarded stablemate – and next out graduate – Bobby Bo before showing speed and tiring in his first race vs. winners 27 days later.
Margot’s Boy, who was seeking his first win since May 23, 2020, finished 13 lengths clear of 5-2 third choice Willy the Cobbler. The runner-up returned $3.20 and $2.60 while the show price on Willy the Cobbler was $2.40.
Cedillo’s other victories Saturday came with Full of Luck in the first, Borkan in the second, and Sauls Call in the sixth.
Sauls Call was one of three wins for trainer Steve Miyadi, doubling his total for the meet and moving him into a tie with Peter Miller for the top spot. Miyadi also tallied with the aforementioned Full of Luck and debuter Tizlightning, who was an impressive winner of the seventh.
Miller is scheduled to run four Sunday – I’m the Boss of Me in the second, Taming the Tigress in the sixth, Gates of Heaven in the ninth, and Sir Flatter in the 10th while Miyadi’s representatives are Aristeia in the fifth and first time starters Mary Margaret and Mo Connelly in the eighth.
Racing resumes Sunday. Post time for the start of the 10-race program is 1 p.m.
The main event is the $75,000 Royal Owl Stakes for California bred 2-year-olds at 5 ½ furlongs. Rock N Rye is the even-money favorite on Ed Burgart’s morning line. The Royal Owl will go as the seventh race and has a scheduled post time of 4:03 p.m.
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