Jones Reaches Milestone

Los Alamitos begins another week of racing tonight and trainer Paul Jones continues his march toward 2,000 victories. Jones, 35, became the youngest trainer to win 1,000 quarter horse races at Los Alamitos and only the third to reach that plateau when Daves Best Man won the third race a week ago. Only Blane Schvaneveldt, the all-time leader with 3,575 victories, and John Cooper have won more than Jones. Jones, who is well on his way to another training title in 2001 with 111 quarter horse victories, has nearly doubled the total of his closest pursuer in the standings. A fixture at Los Alamitos for about 12 years, Jones set a record for quarter horse victories in a season with 155 in 1998. Last Thursday at Los Alamitos also marked the return of leading jockey Joe Badilla, sidelined since July 6 after being injured in a spill at Ruidoso Downs.

Race of the day: Tamara Princess, the full-sister of 2000 champion older filly-mare Riboletta, is the 8-5 morning line choice as she tries for her second victory in as many starts. Like Riboletta, she is owned by Aaron and Marie Jones and trained by Eduardo Inda. Tamara Princess broke her maiden first time out at Hollywood Park, winning a sprint against Double Cat, a half-sister of 2000 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner War Chant. Mike Smith, who is quietly having a solid meet at Del Mar, will ride Tamara Princess in the one-mile allowance, which goes as the sixth race. Her main competition among 10 opponents figures to come from 2-1 second choice Trackofthecat and Premiere Event, who was second in her first start of the year after an extended layoff.

Who’s hot: Smith. Among the top 10 riders at the meet through the first four weeks, nobody is winning at a higher percentage than him. Before Wednesday, he had won with 17 of 84 mounts. Only Gary Stevens (11 for 55) was also batting .200 through the first 24 days.

Who’s not: Chris McCarron. One of the most surprising statistics of the Del Mar season is that the Hall of Fame rider had only three victories in the first four weeks.

Exotically speaking: An early Pick Three using Con Spirito and Excess’s Best in the first, singling Charm Alone in the second and using Red Hot Rocket, Sullivans Travels and Midnite Slew in the third.