Editore repeats in Berkeley Handicap

ALBANY, Calif. – Jockey Brice Blanc got just what he needed in the stretch as he guided favored Editore ($8.20) to a repeat victory in the $101,125 Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

Blanc got Editore home first in a three-way photo over Camino Del Paraiso and Flamboyant, winning the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:42.94. The margins were a neck and a nose.

The top three are familiar rivals. Flamboyant edged Editore by a neck to with the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile on the turf here in March. Camino Del Paraiso was third to Editore in last year's Berkeley.

Editore, a 6-year-old Redattore gelding, was making his first start since running fifth in the Rolling Green on the grass here on Sept. 3.

"It's taken him a little while to get back in form," said Blanc, who was encouraged by the gelding's final work in preparation for the Berkeley.

"We got a perfect trip. He broke okay. A couple horses went and shuffled him back a little, but we were able to save ground because of that. We were in good shape at the three-eighths pole, and when I nudged him, he responded really nicely."

Jockey Ricardo Gonzalez also got a good trip aboard Camino Del Paraiso.

"He was dragging me around, and I thought they'd need to have their running shoes on to beat him," said Gonzalez, who loomed up nicely three wide into the lane, taking command of the race.

He led by a length at the eighth pole.

But Editore was coming and so was Flamboyant, who became a millionaire with his San Francisco Mile victory.

The challenge was just what Editore needed, keeping him alert as he dug in to defeat his rivals.

"He gives 110 percent," said Blanc. "And he likes this surface."

Flamboyant was the only member of the trio with a less than perfect trip, getting knocked sideways out of the gate by Fawree.

Owned by Bonne Chance Farm and breeder Stud R D I, LLC and trained by Paulo Lobo, Editore earned $60,000 for his fifth career victory in 21 starts. He has earned $287,905 in his career.