Big weekend coming up

Six stakes races – three for Thoroughbreds – will be featured during Oak Tree at Pleasanton’s final weekend, two this Saturday and four Sunday.

Thirteen runners, including impressive debut winner Ibelievewewillwin, were nominated to Saturday’s $50,000-added Juan Gonzalez Memorial for 2-year-old fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs. Jeff Bonde has nominated four runners, including Santa Anita winner Later My Love and local winner Marquee Cat.

The $10,000 Jack Robinson for Quarter Horses is also scheduled for Saturday.

Sunday’s $50,000-added Oak Tree Sprint has 10 nominees, including defending champion Streamside; St. Prado, a winner off a 23-month layoff last Friday; and the multiple graded stakes winner Chips All In.

Sunday’s $50,000-added Everett Nevin Futurity for 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs also has four Bonde nominees, including Northern California winner He’s a Tiger and Santa Anita winner Later My Love.

There also are two stakes for Arabians on Sunday: the $34,000 H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak for fillies and mares and the $47,800 Sheik Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Arabian Cup, the second leg of the Emerald Arabian Triple Jewel.

Rodman enjoying meet

Dave Rodman, the voice of the Preakness and Pimlico, is enjoying his time calling races at the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meet. He’ll also call the State Fair meet in Sacramento, which begins a three-week run next week.

“It’s so much fun,” he said of the “cool atmosphere of the fairs.”

Rodman said he likes the feedback from fans at his daily racing seminars and calling races from the open announcer’s stand, where he doesn’t need a headset to hear his calls or fan reaction.

He’s even enjoying the challenge of calling Quarter Horse races, mules, and Arabians.

“You just kinda get into their rhythm,” he said.

Moger elected to TOC board

Northern California trainer Ed Moger Jr. was re-elected as the highest vote getter in recent balloting for the Thoroughbred Owners of California board of directors.

Northern California owner Allen Aldrich was the lone non-incumbent elected to the board. His term began Wednesday. Aldrich was a part-owner of Eclipse Award winner She’s a Tiger and is probably the only person in the history of the Eclipse Awards to mention the Humboldt County Fair in his Eclipse acceptance speech.

“I’ve been in the business 37 years and am still excited by it,” said Aldrich. “It’s an opportunity to give back.”