LOS ALAMITOS, CA—NOVEMBER 6, 2021—Owned by the partnership of Bland Family Investments, Robyn Gordon and S-Quarter K LLC, Just A Dasha Hero surprised a strong group of 3-year-olds to win the $25,000 Town Policy Handicap as the longshot shot on the board at 25-1 odds on Saturday at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Erasmo Gasca for trainer Jose Flores, Just A Dasha Hero took the lead at the midway point of the 400-yard race and flew home from there, crossing the wire a half-length ahead of Bobby Simmons and Johnny Trotter's Tuckk. Gentry Farms' College Scandal, who entered this race after winning the PCQHRA Breeders Derby, finished third.

It was Just A Dasha Hero's night, as the Washington-bred gelding by Valiant Hero was picking up second win in his seventh career start. The S-Quarter K LLC-bred runner had some good efforts during his 2-year-old season last year but came into this race after making just one start in 2021. His freshman season included a second-place finish to Apollitical Patty in the trials to the John Deere California Juvenile Challenge and daylight victory when breaking his maiden on July 5.

In his sophomore debut, Just A Dasha Hero encountered a lot of early trouble when finishing out of the money in a trial to the Los Alamitos Super Derby. Just having that start in his pocket was enough to catapult Just A Dasha Hero to an impressive win in the Town Policy.

"This was a race that I wasn't expecting," Gasca with a huge smile. "We've been waiting on this horse for a long time. He surprised in a great way. I'm thankful for the connections to have given me this opportunity."

The Town Policy is one of Gasca's biggest career victories. His other career highlight include winning the Grade 3 Independence Day Handicap with Rite Quick in 2019.

As the owners of 2015 World Champion Heza Dasha Fire and AQHA champion 2-year-old gelding Ima Fearless Hero, S-Quarter K LLC. has enjoyed a slew of huge moments at Los Alamitos over the years. Having stakes winning moments like Just A Dasha Hero's breakthrough performance are made even more memorable when they can be shared with partners.

"We have a nice partnership of this horse," said Don Meneely of S-Quarter K. "We have Kimmie and Trey Bland from Kennewick (Washington), up in our hometown and Robyn Gordon, who has multiple partnerships with other people, but we are fortunate enough to have her on this one. We have to give a lot of credit to trainer Jose Flores. We just had a lot of belief in this horse. There's a lot of reasons to say, 'quit on the horse, quit running the horse,' but the mare is a tremendous mare and he's believed on the horse the whole time. He said the horse just needs some experience. He got a good (post) in the eighth hole where he had a chance to run and break on his own. He broke good, he had clean air and he showed that he's got some talent. We're just super excited."

In town for the Town Policy, the Bland were watching Just A Dasha Hero run for the first time.

"I knew in my heart that he was going to win," Kimmie Bland said.

"We have four (sons) that are in (the partnership) with us and I just wish they would have been here," Trey Bland added.

Gordon also partners with the Meneelys on (GII) PCQHRA Breeders Futurity finalist Dasha Good Reason and is part of a partnership group that campaigns talented 2-year-olds Majority Interest and Griffindore.

Just A Dasha Hero is a full brother to the millionaire Ima Fearless Hero, who won the 2015 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. Just A Dasha Hero covered the distance in :19.767 and earned $13,750 for the win.

Flores also saddled the runner-up Tuckk, who was ridden by Cruz Mendez. The Tres Seis gelding has started six times at Los Alamitos and has finished third or better in all his starts. He earned $5,625 for running second. College Scandal earned $3,125 for running third.

Roving Kind, Karl Strauss, Everlong, Go To Girl and From Above completed the field.

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