Bold Chieftain exerts class in San Quentin

Millionaire Bold Chieftain scored his third straight stakes victory in the at Golden Gate Fields on Friday. The three-length win in the 1 1/16-mile stakes was his first win over the Golden Gate Tapeta surface.

Bold Chieftain was four wide on the first turn before being taking back a bit by jockey Russell Baze, who angled him in to save ground. He was in cruise control all the way, easily wearing down pacesetting Yacht Spotter and going on to victory over Cigar Man, with Pearl Fisher third another two lengths back in third.

Bold Chieftain finished in 1:43.81 and paid $3.

"He ran awfully good today," said Baze. "He was really sharp and wanting to run.

"My plan was to be laying second or third but a couple of them showed speed so I took and tucked him in behind them. I had a lot of horse and held my ground until it opened up."

Trainer Bill Morey Jr. liked the ease with which Bold Chieftain won.

"He ran pretty impressive today," said Morey. "He just blew by them. I have a hunch this race might not take too much out of him."

Bold Chieftain earned $39,000 for his 14th victory in 32 starts. He is owned by Dwaine Hall, Ernest Langbein Trust, Morey, and Kenneth Robinson.

Morey said the 6-year-old horse would be pointed to a Sunshine Millions race on Jan. 30, but might run first in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Handicap at Santa Anita on Jan. 9.