SAN MATEO, Calif. - Multiple stakes winner Cappuchino ($5.20) won his turf debut, going wire to wire to win the $56,988 Round Table Handicap at a mile Sunday at Bay Meadows.
Cappuchino was pressed early by the maiden Crown The King, put him away and then hold off the late charge of Mananan McLir to win by a head in a final time of 1:35.24. Blue Slew's Shoes rallied late for third, six lengths farther back.
"He ran a fast opening quarter (22.46) and was pressed pretty well," winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. "He ran a fast half (46.17) and three-quarters (1:10.43) and held on real well."
Hollendorfer, who has shipped 53 horses to Arlington Park in Chicago, said that Cappuchino might head to Chicago where he would compete in Arlington's 3-year-old turf series with stablemate U S S Tinosa.
"We have higher hopes for him later on," Hollendorfer said. "His half sister (Grade 1 winner Serra Lake) never developed until she was four. We think he'll be better when he's older."
Cappuchino has won five of 11 starts while earning $206,048.