For Immediate Release

POMONA, Calif., Sept. 26--Patrick Valenzuela, fresh from a Hawaiian vacation,

returned to the races at Fairplex Park on Thursday and piloted Manhattan

Express to an easy 7 1/4-length victory in the 33rd running of the $49,500

Gateway to Glory Stakes for 2-year-olds.

Valenzuela, leading rider at the recent Del Mar meet, rated Manhattan Express

in fourth place until the field approached the 5/16 pole in the 1 1/16-mile

race, then took command. Manhattan Express opened up to win ridden out,

breaking his maiden in the process.

"Going around the turn he picked it up really nice," Valenzuela said of the

$17,000 New York-bred son of Coment Shine, who was purchased at the Barretts

May sale. "He ran a very big race. He handled the bullring fine and A.C.

(trainer A.C. Avila) told me the horse had a helluva shot (to win)." Avila

saddled three winners on the day.

Jimmy O, the 8-5 favorite ridden by Matt Garcia, ran gamely to finish second

after battling for the lead throughout. Hair Jordan, a 22-1 shot, rallied for

third, one length behind Jimmy O. Pine For Java, Charmer Baron, Aye Chihuahua

and Slab Granite completed the order of finish. Kissin Paster was scratched.

Manhattan Express covered the distance on a fast track in 1:44.08 under 114

pounds and paid $6 to win. He earned $27,500 for owner Melvin Ross.

There were four winning tickets on Thursday's Pick Six payoff of $78,350.80,

created by a two-day carryover.

Warren's Whistle will seek a place in Los Angeles County Fair racing history

Friday when she attempts to become a four-time stakes winner at Fairplex in

the 46th edition of the $100,000 Las Madrinas Handicap.

The 4-year-old gray filly, trained by Mel Stute, the track's career leader in

overall victories with 171 and stakes victories with 42, won the Black Swan

Stakes at 2, the Pio Pico Stakes at 3 last year, and repeated in the Pio Pico

at 4 this year on Sept. 20. He's A Saros, Loukahl and Prospect For Four are

the current four-time stakes winners at the Pomona oval. The record is six

shared by Dawn Lark, Gundaghia and Rob Bob.

The field for the 1 1/16-mile Las Madrinas for fillies and mares, 3-years-old

and up, in post position order: Spunky Gal, Tyler Baze, 118, 5-1; Revillew

Slew, Isaias Enriquez, 114, 8-1; Warren's Whistle, Martin Pedroza, 118, 7-2;

Covincing, David Flores, 114, 9-2; Lookn Mighty Fine, Matt Garcia, 113, 6-1;

Skywriting, Scott Stevens, 116, 3-1; De Goddaughter, Chance Rollins, 117,

12-1; Mimi's Cafe, Pat Valenzuela, 115, 15-1; Hazen, Iggy Puglisi, 113, 20-1;

and Land Tax, Goncalino Almeida, 112, 8-1. Revillew Slew and Land Tax are

coupled as an entry.

First post time through closing day, Sunday, is 12:30 p.m.

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