Force, Dixie Pistol face test in Bull Dog Handicap

John Martin will likely saddle the favorite with Force, while Rhoda March will saddle a likely longshot, Dixie Pistol, in Sunday’s $50,000-added Bull Dog Handicap at the Big Fresno Fair.

Martin and March are both confident their charges will appreciate the 1 1/8-mile distance. They want to see just how good their runners are.

“He’s a better turf horse,” Martin said of the 4-year-old Force, who just won the Golden Gate Fields Rolling Green Handicap on the turf as the favorite.

“Turf is our first choice, but I feel like he’s getting better. I think he likes the Northern California company.”

Force has won three of four Northern California starts, winning his NoCal debut on the main track at Golden Gate before running third in his only dirt start at Pleasanton. He’s won his past two starts, both on the turf, at Golden Gate.

“He’s working well, and we’re expecting good things,” Martin said. “Hopefully, he’ll keep things going.”

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March would like to win, but a strong effort by Dixie Pistol would satisfy her.

She claimed Dixie Pistol for $6,250 on April 7 for her assistant trainer Jesus Ramos, Candelario Barragan, and Victorio Hernandez. Dixie Pistol comes into his stakes debut off two turf victories – a claiming win at Santa Rosa and a first-level allowance win at Golden Gate Fields.

“He spotted the horse,” she said, crediting Ramos with the 3-year-old ridgling’s improvement. “He gallops him and felt he saw some things he could do to help him. All credit goes to him.”

Though he’s won his past two starts in front-running style, March said Dixie Pistol doesn’t need the lead and has enough endurance that she considered entering him in the Humboldt County Marathon.

March knows this is a big step up, but says, “He’s versatile and just a nice horse. We keep on stepping up and haven’t hit the ceiling yet.”

Bull Dog Handicap, Race 7

Key Contenders

Force, by Raven’s Pass
Last 3 Beyers: 95-91-88

◗ Has improved his Beyer in his past six starts.

◗ High-percentage barn does well with rider.

G. G. Ryder, by Chhaya Dance
Last 3 Beyers: 84-90-87

◗ Front-running win here in 2015; stalking second last year.

◗ Remains major force in NoCal stakes.

◗ Reunited with rider who won here with him.

Point Piper, by Giant’s Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 84-81-84

◗ Been running in graded stakes company.

◗ Solid works in past two months.

◗ He’ll also be aided by solid pace here.