Bold Chieftain grabs first win of year in Governor's

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Bold Chieftain ($3.40) scored his first victory of the year as he continued to close in on the million-dollar mark in earnings, capturing the $80,000 Governor's Handicap at the California State Fair on Monday.

Bold Chieftain's 12th career victory earned him $46,000 to lift his career earnings to $963,411 in 30 starts for owner-breeders Ernest Langbein, Kenneth Robinson, Dwaine Hall, and trainer Bill Morey Jr.

Bold Chieftain stalked pacesetting Our Partner, taking the lead on his own after passing the half-mile pole. He withstood mild challenges from Autism Awareness and Captain Roy and pulled away down the stretch.

He beat Autism Awareness by five lengths, covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.43. Captain Roy was third, another length back.

Russell Baze rode the 6-year-old Chief Seattle horse. Baze finished the day with three straight victories to claim the jockey title by one win over Hector Romero and Catalino Martinez.