Four look for stakes breakthrough
Only four fillies and mares were entered in Saturday’s $50,000-added California Governor’s Cup Handicap at the state fair in Sacramento. The four have one thing in common – each is looking for her first stakes victory. And one, Tizakay, is looking for her first victory.
Handfull, who has won 5 of 6 starts this year, might be the sharpest runner in the field. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Handfull won the March Madness Handicap on turf at Santa Anita for her fourth straight win, but she faded to eighth in the Golden Poppy at Golden Gate Fields in her next start. She came back to win at Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile distance in a $62,000 optional claimer on the Golden Gate turf in her most recent start.
Her stablemate Cast in Silver was part of the exacta in her first six starts before failing to threaten in her stakes debut last month in the six-furlong Desert Stormer at Santa Anita.
Princess Bertrando, a 3-year-old, ran third as a maiden in last year’s Juan Gonzalez Memorial Stakes at Pleasanton and later second in the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies. She rallied for second against older in the $100,000 Oak Tree Distaff at Pleasanton two weeks ago.
The 3-year-old Tizakay has made four starts, all on turf, with her best result a second-place finish two starts back.
KEY CONTENDERS
Handfull (Last 3 Beyers: 80-67-80)
◗ She has won 4 of 7 starts at this distance on the main track as well as three more on turf.
◗ She draws the rail, which plays well given her speed.
◗ She’s a full sister of multiple stakes winner Weewinnin.
◗ Russell Baze rides her rather than Cast in Silver, whom he has ridden in all six of her Northern California starts.
Princess Bertrando (Last 3 Beyers: 70-82-60)
◗ She ran second to the heavily favored Tribal Gal in her first race against older females two weeks ago at Pleasanton.
◗ She’s never run this distance, but she did win at a mile on turf two back.
◗ The two-week turnaround is the primary concern.
Cast in Silver (Last 3 Beyers: 63-83-74)
◗ She has tried two turns only once, finishing second in her second career start.
◗ She has speed but might stalk stablemate Handfull.