VETERAN JOCKEY NIETO TO RIDE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT LOS ALAMITOS

          Jockey Paul Nieto, a winner of over 500 races in his career, will make his first riding appearance at Los Alamitos Race Course when he pilots a pair of horses in Friday’s racing program. First post is 6 p.m.      

          Nieto’s first mount will come in the fourth race aboard Bushido’s Way in a 1,000-yard race. His first Quarter Horse mount will come with the first-time starter Candy’s Martiny in the eighth race, a maiden event at 300-yards. The filly by Jess Good Candy is trained by Alberto Amparan, who will also saddled the Kentucky-bred Bushido’s Way.                        

          Nieto has won 412 Quarter Horse races in his career of about 20 years. He’s also won 128 Thoroughbred races. Two of his top Quarter Horse stakes wins came in the Oklahoma Futurity, winning the Grade 2 race abaord Paint Me Perry in 2014 and the 2011 $326,000 running aboast fastest qualifier Adolph Tres Knockout.         

Nieto also won the Grade 2 Heritage Place Derby aboard Brace For Bernal, and the restricted Grade 1 Namehimastreaker New Mexico Championship with Rime Chimes at 440 yards.         

          Amparan’s stable has now settled at Los Alamitos after arriving from New Mexico. The veteran trainer has won over 150 races in his career with around $2 million in lifetime earnings. The feature event on Friday is the fifth race, a $15,000 allowance at 1,000 yards. Coil To Strike and Eskimo Roses are among the horses to watch in this race based on their recent consistency at the Orange County track.

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