'Chime' returning to race at 7

ALBANY, Calif. - Chime After Chime, a stakes-placed 7-year-old mare, will make her comeback in Wednesday's feature race at Golden Gate Fields.

Chime After Chime, third behind Tuzla and Isle de France in the 1999 Royal Heroine at Hollywood Park, and second, beaten a head by Dream of Gifts in the 2000 Lady Morovich at the Bay Meadows Fair, has not raced since finishing last in the Queen O Green Handicap at Turf Paradise on Nov. 26, 2000.

"She was supposed to be bred. We sent her to Kentucky, but she couldn't get in foal," trainer A.L. Diaz said. "We wanted to have a nice baby from her."

Owners John and Julia DeMeo decided to bring their homebred back to the races. She has seven victories, five seconds, and a third in 27 lifetime starts while earning $210,258.

"She's 100 percent heart," Diaz said. "So far, she's doing pretty good. I think the conditions are good for her here."

Chime After Chime drew the outside post as nine fillies will compete in a 1 1/16-mile $40,000 optional claiming turf race. Chime After Chime is entered for the $40,000 claiming tag.

Diaz continues to make his own comeback after having a stroke Sept. 6.

"So far, things are OK," Diaz said. "It's going slow. I go in for therapy two times a week."

But he's also at his barn at Bay Meadows every day, and that, in itself, may be the best therapy of all for Diaz.

"It gets your mind off things," he said.

for Golden Gate entries.

Subscribers: to purchase past performances for Golden Gate.

Non-subscribers: to purchase past performances for Golden Gate.