Alert Bay delivers as favorite in Rolling Green

The favored Alert Bay ($4.80) got a perfect stalking trip behind G. G. Ryder, then outran that one in the lane to score in the $63,605 Rolling Green Stakes on turf at Golden Gate Fields on Monday.

Alert Bay, a 4-year-old City Zip gelding, won five straight stakes races last fall and winter before going to the sidelines for 5 1/2 months due to body soreness. He was coming off a strong third in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile on dirt, but trainer Blaine Wright and owner Peter Redekop wanted to return the California-bred to the turf.

Ricardo Gonzalez, aboard G. G. Ryder, and Alert Bay’s jockey, Russell Baze, expected Eagle Screams to set or contest the pace, but Catalino Martinez was content to sit in a stalking position early.

Gonzalez found himself on the lead, but G. G. Ryder, who had won four of five starts over the Lakeside turf course, relaxed nicely, putting up even fractions in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Gonzalez said he thought he was going to “open up” at the top of the stretch, but Alert Bay proved too much. Alert Bay came in a bit on G. G. Ryder, but Baze quickly straightened him out and pulled clear for a 2 1/4-length victory, with the outcome never in doubt down the lane. The winning time was 1:42.23.

G. G. Ryder deafeated stablemate Outside Nashville for second by 1 1/4 lengths.

“There was never a doubt,” said Baze. “This horse was running really well beneath me the whole way. He’s a very nice colt with a very nice turn of foot when you ask him.”

“So far, this year hasn’t gone like we wanted,” Wright said after Alert Bay’s first win in four starts since his return. “He ran fantastic today, so maybe we can get another streak going.”

Wright said Alert Bay will be pointed to the California Flag at 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill at Santa Anita on Oct. 12 to keep him on the turf and in California-bred races.

Alert Bay earned $39,300 for his ninth victory in 18 starts. His career earnings are $834,495.