Pleasanton: Bonde has three for Everett Nevin

PLEASANTON, Calif. – Trainer Jeff Bonde has three entrants in Sunday’s $50,000-added Everett Nevin Alameda County Futurity for 2-year-olds on the closing day of the Alameda County Fair.

Two of Bonde’s runners will be making their second starts, and one is making his debut.

The first-timer is Backstreet Boss, whom Bonde purchased for $28,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale in April. Described by his trainer as a “nice horse,” Backstreet Boss has 10 works over the Pleasanton track, including an impressive 46.80 half-mile bullet drill on June 7.

“They need to show you something,” Bonde said about deciding whether to use a stakes for a horse’s debut.

Bonde will also send out Tahoe Flash, who made his debut in the Lost in the Fog Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on June 16. He broke all right after drawing the rail but never got in contention.

“He got slaughtered leaving the gate,” said Bonde, who is convinced Tahoe Flash, a homebred Flashy Bull colt, is better than he showed and deserves another chance.

Tahoe Flash recorded a 36-second, three-furlong bullet work on June 28 at Golden Gate Fields.

The Bonde runner who seemingly has the best shot in the race is My Jealous, who scored an impressive victory over the track on June 24.

Under Billy Lewis, he quickly established himself as the pacesetter, leading by 1 1/2 lengths after a 22.14-second opening quarter and was six in front at the quarter pole, covering the opening half in 45.42. He ended up winning the five-furlong race by 4 1/4 lengths in 58.48 seconds under no pressure.

“And he kinda got left at the gate,” said Bonde of the visibly impressive win.

People are skeptical of easy maiden wins. Bonde is, too.

“You want to analyze how they did it,” Bonde said, but he liked the way My Jealous – a Halo’s Image colt and a $22,000 buy at the same sale where he purchased Backstreet Boss – established himself and still ran well and fast despite the lack of challengers.

But “who did he beat?” wondered Bonde.

The same can be asked of Danz With K J, who rallied nicely to score a game victory in a $32,000 maiden claimer on June 1 at Golden Gate Fields.

Anytime Magic, who also won his debut, passed the “how-they-did-it” question by dueling for the lead and pulling clear late. He also passed the “who-did-he-beat” question because his victory came in the Lost in the Fog stakes over Native Treasure, who ran well in winning his debut.