Bay Meadows: Gonetorule reigns

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Gonetorule ($4.80) sat behind a brisk pace duel between her stablemate Hippogator and A B Noodle and pulled away in the stretch to win the $58,175 Santa Clara Handicap.

A B Noodle set the pace with Hippogator just outside her in the one-mile race. A B Noodle began to pull clear of her pace rival midway around the second turn, but Gonetorule was just beginning to get into gear from the inside.

She made a strong move to pull alongside of A B Noodle and quickly took control, winning by four lengths in 1:34.94.

"I didn't intend quite that pace, but I did want Hippogator closer than she was last time," winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.

Gonetorule earned $30,950 for her fourth victory in seven starts to boost her career earnings to $92,710. It was the first stakes victory for the 4-year-old filly, purchased by Hollendorfer from the John Franks estate.

"She had a good record," said Hollendorfer, who still trains a number of horses for the Franks operation. "I know a lot of these horses. I've done a lot of business with Mr. Franks."