Delia tests his impressive first-out winners in Juan Gonzalez Memorial

Trainer Bill Delia sends out two runners in Saturday’s $50,000 Juan Gonzalez Memorial at the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meeting at the Alameda County Fair. Delia was confident that both runners, Runninsmygame and Blazing Spice, would run well and wasn’t surprised when they each won their debuts.

He comes into Saturday’s 5 1/2-furlong stakes equally confident, but he said, “Which one is best? I have no idea, but the others better come to run if they want to beat them.”

Delia liked the fillies going into their debuts and liked their winning efforts.

“They were both good-looking and built well. They always worked well,” Delia said. “Both showed a lot of promise, and both galloped out strong.”

As time has gone on, Delia has been even more impressed by their efforts. Both beat Go to the Alter, who graduated by four lengths in a powerful start here June 26. Also hitting the board against the Delia runners was Grantmeawish, who was nominated but did not enter Saturday’s race.

“Absolutely,” Delia said when asked if recent results have made him feel even better about his runners. “Both of those wins were very impressive, and the ones they beat came back and ran very well.”

Delia liked Runninsmygame, a Patricia Ford homebred, from the beginning.

“She was a full sister to the other Game Plan we had [Game to Run],” he said. “She got hurt but was stakes-placed. She always trained aggressively and wanted to beat others.”

Blazing Spice scared Delia in her debut.

“My heart sunk when she didn’t break well,” he said. “She only had one beat early, but she made a big move, and she dug in down the lane. Runninsmygame was impressive, but Blazing Spice ran just as well, if not better.”

Delia said having talented runners who run as well in their debuts as his two fillies did is something trainers dream about. But he also knows Saturday’s race will be much tougher.

“The others have improved, but my fillies could improve off their debuts as well,” he said. “Neither has run on dirt, but I’m hoping they’re going to run better.”

As Go to the Alter showed, she is much improved, and Do the Danse also was a game winner in her debut over the track. Eight of the 10 runners are coming off wins, and a ninth won her debut.

◗ Earlier on the Saturday card, Sammy V, who won last year’s Grade 3 Sheikh Zayaed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Arabian Cup, will defend his title in the $47,845 race at six furlongs. Ayers, coming off an 11-length win at the meet, could provide the biggest challenge.