2025 Los Alamitos Derby (G3) – Race Preview & Analysis
Date: June 28, 2025
Track: Los Alamitos Race Course
Race: Race 8
Distance: 1 1/8 Miles (Dirt)
Purse: $100,000
Eligibility: 3-Year-Olds
Post Time: 4:37 PM PT
Contenders Breakdown
1. It’s a Factor
Pedigree: The Factor – Liberty Kitten
Trainer: Antonio C. Garcia
Jockey: Armando Ayuso
Morning Line Odds: 20-1
Analysis: Veteran of 13 starts with just one win. The Factor adds speed, but this gelding has struggled at the allowance level. Faces a major class test here.
2. Tiz Secure
Pedigree: Maximum Security – Tough Tiz’s Sis
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke
Morning Line Odds: 7-2
Analysis: Lightly raced colt with upside. Finished third in a Churchill allowance last out. Maximum Security adds grit and stamina. Baffert excels in this race—must respect.
3. Rank
Pedigree: Honor A. P. – Fabulous Babe
Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
Morning Line Odds: 9-2
Analysis: Still a maiden after 13 starts but has placed in stakes company. Finished third in the Affirmed Stakes behind Nevada Beach. Could hit the board again.
4. Varney
Pedigree: Vekoma – Summer of Fun
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Hector Berrios
Morning Line Odds: 5-2
Analysis: Broke his maiden in dominant fashion at Pimlico going 1 1/16 miles. Vekoma adds speed and class. Baffert-trained and improving—major win contender.
5. Nevada Beach
Pedigree: Omaha Beach – Morrow Cove
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Morning Line Odds: 1-1 (Favorite)
Analysis: Won debut, then finished second in the G3 Affirmed Stakes. Omaha Beach is a rising sire of dirt routers. Tactical speed and top connections make him the one to beat.
Top Picks:
Win Contender: Nevada Beach – proven stakes form, Baffert-Hernandez combo
Main Rival: Varney – dominant maiden win, improving colt
Value Play: Tiz Secure – lightly raced, upside potential
Exacta Box: Nevada Beach, Varney, Tiz Secure
Trifecta Add-On: Rank – consistent underneath finisher
