Bronze Star, G. G. Ryder give Hollendorfer one-two punch in Bull Dog

If the old handicapping axiom that pace makes the race holds true in Sunday’s $50,000-added Bull Dog Handicap at the Big Fresno Fair, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer should be sitting in the catbird seat.

Hollendorfer entered defending champion G. G. Ryder and Bronze Star in the closing-day feature, run at 1 1/8 miles on dirt. Bronze Star appears to be the lone speed in the field of seven older horses, and if he tires, G. G. Ryder should be along to pick up the pieces.

Hollendorfer likes the way the race plots out on paper.

“These two complement each other,” he said.

G. G. Ryder is looking for his first win since last year’s wire-to-wire Bull Dog win. G. G. Ryder has hooked some tough rivals this year, and his best race has been a fifth-place finish in the Grade 3 San Francisco mile on turf at Golden Gate Fields in April.

Hollendorfer gave him a three-month freshener after an 11th-place finish in the Grade 3 All American at Golden Gate Fields on May 30.

“It was just a little this and that, and we gave him time off,” said Hollendorfer.

In his Sept. 10 comeback, G. G. Ryder turned in a decent effort at Golden Gate when asked to sprint – which is not his game. He closed some for fifth in a field that included sprint-stakes winners Star Student and My Friend Emma.

He’s worked steadily since then and should get his preferred stalking trip in the Bull Dog.

Bronze Star went wire to wire in the Oak Tree Handicap and comes off a second in the Rolling Green on the Golden Gate turf Sept. 5.

Bull Dog Handicap (race 9)

Key Contenders

Bronze Star, by Tapit

Last 3 Beyers: 91-84-88

◗ He set the pace in the Rolling Green, only to be caught late by Twentytwentyvision, who went on to lose by only a half-length in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita.

◗ He’s at his best on dirt and has a steady work pattern since his last start.

G. G. Ryder, by Chhaya Dance

Last 3 Beyers: 85-82-96

◗ He’s run only twice on dirt, but one of those times was his victory in this race last year.

Terrys Tom Cat, by Bluegrass Cat

Last 3 Beyers: 87-92-90

◗ Trainer Tim McCanna lost him for $32,000 at Del Mar in July, then claimed him back for $40,000 in his next start.

◗ He finished fourth in an optional claimer Sept. 18 on turf at Golden Gate in his most recent start.

◗ A closer, he has made four starts on dirt, with his best efforts a pair of second-place finishes.