Exceeding excels in California Turf Sprint

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Exceeding ($27.20) won his third straight start since a 21-month layoff for a suspensory problem, scoring a wire-to-wire victory in the California Turf Sprint Championship Handicap at Bay Meadows on Saturday.

Making his first turf start, the son of In Excess broke well and outdueled Greenie for the early lead. He opened in the stretch as Greenie faded and was opening on runner-up Bonfante and stablemate McManus in the lane. He won the five-furlong turf race by two lengths in 56.84 seconds.

Bonfante, the second choice who was virtually eliminated by a poor start, was a nose in front of McManus, who finished a nose in front of favored Areyoutalkintome.

"He broke good, and as soon as he got the lead inside (Greenie), he pricked his ears and was cruising around there," winning jockey Chance Rollins said. "He loved the turf. He might have bobbled once, but he just skipped over it."

Winning trainer John Martin, who may consider the Cal Cup Mile next, said, "I really did expect him to run well. Most all In Excess offspring run well on grass. The only thing I questioned was how much talent he had and if he could be competitive with a couple horses coming up from Los Angeles."

Exceeding earned $55,000 to increase his career earnings to $197,898 with his fifth victory in 11 career starts.