Bettor Trip Nick wires field in Golden Nugget Stakes

Bettor Trip Nick ($32.20) broke sharply and was never headed as he scored an upset victory in the $63,800 Golden Nugget Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

Five of the six entrants in the six-furlong race for 2-year-olds had shown early speed in previous races, but Bettor Trip Nick, one of two runners going off at double-digit odds, was the quickest after breaking on top under Catalino Martinez.

The Boat Trip gelding had a 1 1/2-length lead over No Longer Silent, one of the favorites, after 21.53-second opening quarter-mile, a margin he maintained through a half mile in 44.30.

Bettor Trip Nick seemed to be on cruise control before Martinez asked for a little more turning for home. His mount responded, spurting to a 3 1/2-length lead over favored Fore Left.

Doc Tommy, third at the eighth pole closed well, but Martinez had enough horse left to win by a half-length in 1:09.35. Fore Left, a multiple stakes winner, was third, beaten by three lengths.

Bettor Trip Nick, owned by trainer Bill Delia, Gary Oetman, and Ray Pagano, earned $39,300 for his first stakes victory and has now won $64,300. He has recorded three wins and a second in four starts, having re-rallied to take his debut for a $25,000 claiming tag and run second in a starter race before winning at the starter level in front-running style on Oct. 18.