Jockey Creager Reaches the Finish Line

John Creager, who ranks fourth among jockeys at Los Alamitos with 2,108 victories, has decided to retire.

A member of the local colony for 25 years, Creager, 51, will become a trainer at Ed Allred’s Rolling A Ranch in Atascadero.

Creager, who is seventh among Los Alamitos jockeys with 86 stakes victories, has ridden such stars as Down With Debt, Sgt Pepper Feature, Griswold, Chicks Beduino, Florentine, Ah Sigh, Prissy Fein and Jodys Glory.

Creager, who was born in Odgen, Utah, says the most memorable moment he had as a rider was when he and Sgt Pepper Feature beat Denim N Diamonds in the 1982 Champion of Champions.

“The buildup to that showdown was a lot of fun,” he said. “Sgt Pepper Feature was unique in that he could break behind the best horses and still win. Not too many racehorses are able to do that consistently at the top level.

“I’ve been lucky. People have been good to me and I rode a lot of great horses over the years. It’ll be fun to work with the babies at the ranch because that’s what I’ve done all of my life. I’m looking forward to the experience.”

The picks: 1. Its Sinful. 2. Recite. 3. La Bamba Chick. 4. Vagabondia. 5. Hope I Fly. 6. Slamat. 7. Moved. 8. Ken Mars Secret. 9. Boeagle. 10. Solar Dash. 11. One Big Love.

Four! Use Its Sinful and Dreams To Fill in the first, Recite and the entry of Tetris-Knowntoman in the second, Tiene Mucho Blanco, Lee Special Lee and La Bamba Chick in the third and Vagabondia and Sunshine Belle in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: First Royal Beduino should improve second time out in the fifth for trainer Blane Schvaneveldt. Harney drops out of a tougher spot to go in the 10th.

Post Time: 6:30 p.m.

On the Net: For entries and results from Los Alamitos, visit: www.latimes.com/horseracing/