Tuesday, April 3, 2001
Updated: December 17, 11:24 AM ET
Tiny First Effort wins Southern California Derby
By Jennifer Hancock
Quarter Racing Journal
Henry Brown's heavily favored Tiny First Effort did not disappoint her backers as she defeated Royal Quick
Diamond by a head to win Friday's $154,350 Southern California Derby (G1). Trained by Donna McArthur and ridden by Sam Thompson,
Tiny First Effort covered the 400 yards in :19.84 on a track that was listed as good following afternoon rain showers.
"Tiny was running hard, but the track was a little slick," Thompson said. " She was able to outfinish the gray horse (Royal Quick Diamond),
and I had a lot of horse left."
After running second in Dashing Knud's Los Alamitos Million Futurity (G1) last year, the filly's sophomore campaign now includes three
graded stakes victories. In addition to her first Grade 1 victory, her record also includes wins in the Vandy's Flash Handicap (G3) and the
Bayer Legend California Challenge (G3). In 14 starts, the daughter of First Down Dash and Tinys Effort has banked $406,427, and her
7-5-0 record includes the three aforementioned stakes wins and two stakes placings. In her seven starts this year, the Donna McArthur
trainee has crossed the wire first or second in all but one -- A Ransom's First Down Dash Handicap (G3).
Tinys Effort, a stakes placed daughter of Special Effort, has produced five starters from eight foals. Her runners, which include three
stakes winners, have earned $1,075,442. Tinys First Down is one of 144 stakes winners sired by First Down Dash, which stands at
Vessels Stallion Farm in Bonsall, California. The 17-year-old stallion's runners have earned $38,424,571.
Bred by Brown, the filly was sold to Pat Sorrels as a yearling, and Sorrels campaigned her as a 2-year-old before selling her back to
Brown earlier this year.
"I was really excited when I bought her back because I knew she would have a big 3-year-old year," Brown said. "We're definitely thinking
about the Charger Bar Handicap (January 19 at Los Alamitos) now. We hope to race her two or three more times before we breed her."
There was a little pressure on Tiny First Effort going into the race. Her full sister, Tiny First Down, won the stakes last year, and her owners
were counting on her for -- appliances?
"I called Donna, and I told her that Mimi needed a new dishwasher and if I didn't win this race then I wasn't going to able to buy her one,"
said a smiling Brown. "I didn't want to have to wash any dishes so I'm glad that Tiny First Effort won."
Royal Quick Diamond, who is trained by Blane Schvaneveldt for Ali, Ashley and Beverly Bourguet, finished second to Tiny First Effort for
the third time since the trials to the California Challenge on September 7. Although finishing his season winless, the Royal Quick Dash
gelding earned $26,240 for his effort, which was enough to push his career earnings past the $100,000 mark to $108,327.
Schvaneveldt also saddled Corona Cocktail, who crossed the wire third. La Primera Del Ano Derby (G2) winner More Heart, Valors Gold,
All American Jewel, Summertime Quickie, Somersets Dream and Bridlewood completed the field.
