Californiagoldrush out after injury in American Oaks

ARCADIA, Calif. – The top turf filly Californiagoldrush sustained a knee injury while finishing seventh as the favorite in the Grade 1 American Oaks on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita and will be sidelined for an indefinite period, trainer Neil Drysdale said Tuesday morning.

Californiagoldrush entered the American Oaks as the 2-1 choice after winning three of her first four starts including the Grade 2 Sands Point in the fall at Belmont Park. Her workouts into the 1 1/4-mile American Oaks suggested another top performance, with expectations she could emerge as a major player in the winter filly-mare turf division.

Instead, Californiagoldrush is out of action. “She suffered a knee injury, and her status is to be determined at a later date,” Drysdale said. He was not specific, pending further examination.

Owned and bred by Alice Bamford, Californiagoldrush is a newly turned 4-year-old by Cape Blanco, produced by Grade 3 winner Qaraaba. The American Oaks was the fifth start of her career, and the first time she finished off the board.

Drysdale said a decision regarding the future of Californiagoldrush will be made “in a couple weeks.” If the knee injury turns out to be relatively minor, she could race again later this year. Californiagoldrush has won three races and $322,345 from five starts.