Expect a better race second out

ALBANY, Calif. - Trainer Armando Lage is hopeful experience pays off for You Is What You Is in the fifth race at Golden Gate on Friday, a four-furlong maiden race for 2-year-olds. You Is What You Is ran second in his April 29 debut.

Although Lage was confident when You Is What You Is made his debut, he said having a race makes a big difference with younger runners.

"A horse with one race under his belt has an advantage," he said. "It's not so much how much they improve because of the fitness they get from a race. It's they know how to behave better going to the paddock and being in the post parade."

Lage was surprised when You Is What You Is was third, trailing the leader by four lengths, early in his debut.

"I was quite surprised," he said. "He'd shown speed in the morning, and before he ran I thought he'd be on the lead. It turned out pretty good. I was really happy when he dropped his head and closed so strongly."

Also in the field is Imaginary Sailor, a half-brother to Cause to Believe, who won the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby and California Derby last year before running 13th in the Kentucky Derby.

Jeff Bonde is sending out a pair of interesting first-timers in the fifth race, Sierra Sunset and Orientate Me. Shadow King, third behind You Is What You Is, is also entered.

In the first race, a $20,000 claimer at one mile on the turf, Lage will send out Kaiser Road, who freaked in a 5 1/2-length victory in a $12,500 turf claimer two starts back before running fifth in allowance company last time.

Kaiser Road, 2 for 2 over the turf here, is a free-running horse who likes to go at his own pace, but he doesn't need the lead.

"He likes to do things on his own," Lage said. "You don't rate him. You let him go."

Lage, who claimed Kaiser Road for $8,000, thinks the 5-year-old gelding is at the right level. Kaiser Road has won 9 of 36 starts.

The field includes Spunky Harry, who has run well without recording a win on turf, and the entry of Eastern Sand, a graded winner in his lone start over the course, and Gold Creek Dancer.