Cause to Believe wins Bay Meadows Juvenile

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Heavily favored Cause to Believe ($2.80) stalked maiden Crafty Ang and pulled away in the stretch to win the $68,200 Comcast Bay Meadows Juvenile Stakes at Bay Meadows on Saturday.

Crafty Ang had an open lead early as Cause to Believe sat between Debonair Red and Awesome Jared in the second flight. Crafty Ang opened his lead to three lengths at the quarter pole, but Cause to Believe made a strong move to take over in the stretch, opening a 2 1/2-length advantage at the end of the one-mile race, winning in 1:37.50. M.J. Pkay was third another eight lengths back.

"He showed a new dimension today, running between horses and sitting a little closer than he usually does," winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. "I thought he was well composed. The horse is showing new dimensions. He can do just about anything. I'm going to shop around and find the best spot for him."

Winning jockey Russell Baze was a little concerned when Crafty Ang opened a bit at the quarter pole.

"I was knuckling him to stay in contact with the leader, and he wasn't responding," Baze said. "But once I reached back and hit him, he came with a nice run. He really accelerated."

Cause to Believe earned $36,250 for his third win in five starts and now has career earnings of $98,725.