Clean trip may be all Sanfran needs

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Although there are only five horses in the field, any of them could win Sunday's Bay Meadows feature, a one-mile first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds.

Stakes winner Indian Weaver, Sanfran, and Dino Camino - all of whom sustained extreme trouble in the same race last time out - come back for another try going a mile in race 2. Recent maiden winner Sir Charge and Dynawhite also bring good credentials into the race.

The one to beat may be Dynawhite, but Sanfran, who is owned in part by track announcer Tony Calo, also has a chance. Calo was part of a partnership group that claimed the 3-year-old Sanfran for $16,000 from a Jan. 21 turf victory at Golden Gate Fields.

"We've been impressed by his ability to lay back and finish so strong," Calo said.

was originally trained by Richard Mandella in Southern California but was shipped north and entered in a bottom-level maiden claiming sprint for his career debut.

He didn't race well, but he won his next start when stretched out. He stepped up and moved to the turf and won again in his third career start.

Put into allowance company by trainer Mark Rheinford in his first start off the claim, Sanfran was an unlucky second, losing to King Mobay by a neck.

Point Luck set the pace in the race and took a sharp right-hand turn when entering the stretch. That left the rail wide open for King Mobay, while Point Luck rammed into Sanfran and forced Dino Camino and Indian Weaver to steady sharply.

It took a moment for Sanfran to recover, but he made up ground after regaining his momentum.

"The last time he really showed heart. He got knocked sideways and seemed to get the air knocked out of him," Calo said. Calo admits he's worried about the rain that has fallen this weekend.

"He was jumping puddles at Golden Gate in his debut so we hope he handles a wet track better this time," Calo said. "But we do know he's better around two turns."

If the track is wet, it's an advantage for Dynawhite, who scored an 18-length maiden victory in the slop. He pressed the pace before tiring in the muddy Turf Paradise Derby in his last start.

Sir Charge has turned in two good efforts sprinting, showing improved speed last time despite running on a good track. He will be the one to catch, and his breeding indicates he should handle the extra distance.