Cause to Believe captures Mill Valley Stakes

ALBANY, Calif. - Cause to Believe ($6.80) unleashed another powerful stretch kick to win the $50,600 Mill Valley Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

The victory was his third straight stakes victory.

Barber, making only his second career start, cut out fast fractions while pressured early by Black Jack Joe. He opened into the lane, but Cause to Believe, rallying five wide off the turn, was third coming into the stretch and ran his final furlong in 12.03 seconds, moving from third to a one-length victory over Barber. The winning time was 1:09.22 in the six-furlong stakes for 2-year-olds.

Five of the 10 runners entered the race with higher Beyers than Cause to Believe prompting winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer to say, "Beyers are important. I look. Everybody does. Sometimes horses just do what they need to.

"I can't fault the way he's performed for me. This horse is developing just fine."

Winning jockey Russell Baze was confident as the colt moved up nicely on the turn.

"When I was that close turning for home, I was thinking, 'You guys are in trouble because I know this guy can finish.' "

Cause to Believe, a $30,000 Ocala purchase in March, increased his career earnings to $126,825 with his fourth win in six starts. He finished second in his other two starts, including the $75,000 Malcolm Anderson at Golden Gate Fields in June.

Stakes-winning Don Jaun Con broke down leaving the gate and was pulled up immediately. Trainer William E. Morey said the gelding's injury was yet to be diagnosed.