Larry Stark’s Jess A Cowboy scored his second career victory in the Blane Schvaneveldt Handicap after running beautifully from along the rail on the way to a 1 ½ length victory on Friday night at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Oscar Andrade Jr. for trainer Matt Fales, Jess A Cowboy covered the 400 yards in :19.834 to add this victory to his 2017 win back when he was 5-years-old. The now 7-year-old gelding joins Sheza Bad Habit and PF Flyar as the only two-time winners in the 13-year history of the Schvaneveldt.

“Everybody knows that Blane Schvaneveldt is the Michael Jordan of Quarter Horse racing,” Fales said. “He’s a legend. I’m just proud to be winning his race. This horse is pure class. He’s 7-years-old now, but I got a young rider on him. I think that equals it out. Old horse, young rider. This horse is class, just like his owner. I’m just very thankful to have this horse.”

Fales, who also saddled Jess A Cowboy to victory in the 2017 Schvaneveldt, called on 18-year-old rider Andrade Jr. in a stakes race at Arizona Downs back in June. The result was a close second and the pair remained together to win the $25,000 Schvaneveldt. Jess A Cowboy earned $13,750 for the win to take his career earnings to $236,897. The Arizona-bred gelding by Dejon has won 12 of 38 career starts. He’s hit the board in 28 of those outings. For Fales, his working relationship with owner Larry Stark goes back quite a few years.

“We go back about five years,” Fales said. “He’s always kept horses in the family. When his (former) trainer Raul Hernandez retired, I took over his horses and it’s been nothing but a blessing since.”

K & R Allred Ranch, LLC’s Arizona Favorite earned $5,625 for running second for jockey Erasmo Gasca and trainer Hector Magallanes. McColee Land & Livestock LLC’s Sassy On Fire finished third for trainer Mike Robbins and jockey Jesus Valenzuela. Duck Dash N Go, Apollitical Judge, Mick Lovin, and Locomotion Girl completed the field. CM Boom Shakalaka was scratched.

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