Free's review: Gold Rush draws weak fields at new home

The California Gold Rush took place at Santa Anita for the first time Saturday. Based on level of participation, it was a dud. Average field size for the five statebred stakes was 6.4 runners per race, a sad reflection on the California-bred racing program. Two of the five stakes winners were notable and the three others – not so much.

Fran's Valentine

Race 4 scratched down to only four statebred fillies and mares racing one mile on grass. The turf course had some “give” after .20 inches of rain, and the upset winner was the longest shot in the small field. Dancingtothestars ($13.60) rallied from last to win by 3 1/2 lengths under jockey Mario Gutierrez.

Tyler Baze, who rode disappointing runner-up Unusual Hottie, said trouble at the three-eighths explains her dull effort. Baze claimed foul against the winner for interference.

“[Gutierrez, on Dancingtothestars,] totally knocked my filly’s hind end out from under her, and it cost me the race,” Baze said. “[Unusual Hottie] went from dragging me to me having no horse in one stride, and she still outran the rest of them. I was going to win for fun today.”

Stewards disagreed with Baze and made no change. Dancingtothestars jockey Gutierrez explained afterward to Santa Anita publicity, “I don’t think I needed to do anything differently. I didn’t bother anybody. The grass is a little softer [due to rain] but not much. It’s great.”

Pace-presser Halo Dolly finished third; pacesetting favorite Unusual Way finished fourth. Both ran poorly. It was a nondescript race. Dancingtothestars earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.

Tiznow

Speed is always dangerous on the main track at Santa Anita, and Storm Fighter took it to them in race 5. He got loose on an easy lead and rolled to a frontrunning 3 1/4-length victory in the one-mile Tiznow, timed in 1:35.06. Storm Fighter earned a sharp 104 Beyer Speed Figure, loose on the lead.

Storm Fighter is lightly raced and was making just his third start of the year for trainer Bruce Headley, who waxed poetic with Santa Anita publicity after the race.

“When you give ’em the time, everything’s fine,” Headley said. “You let them grow up and fill out and run and get back to 100 percent before you run them again. He’s a big, strong horse, and he’s perfectly sound. Everything’s going fine, and tonight, I’ll have some wine. This is like pennies in a wishing well. Only time will tell.”

Storm Fighter was the “fastest” winner on the Gold Rush card, based on his speed figure. Who knows? Maybe he will find another small field devoid of speed and win again. But wins accomplished with soft, frontrunning trips should always be treated skeptically.

Odds-on favorite Rousing Sermon merely ran around the track and finished second. He does not possess a killer instinct and is always at the mercy of the pace. The race had five runners.

Spring Fever

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer was 1 for 35 in April at Santa Anita until comebacker Top Kisser ($21.80) scored a sharp win in the six-furlong stakes, race 7, for statebred fillies and mares. She won by 3 3/4 lengths in a quick 1:08.89, good for a 93 Beyer Speed Figure. It was a sharp win by the most impressive stakes winner of the day. She earned it, chasing a fast pace and kicking away.

The runner-up Marks Mine broke from the rail, dueled throughout, and was second best in a fine effort. The preferred choice of this handicapper, Our Pure Creation, was empty at the quarter pole and finished fifth as the favorite. She had no visible alibi.

Melair

Rovenna won the 1 1/16-mile route, race 9, for statebred 3-year-old fillies. It was not pretty. She out-gutted longshot Wonderful Lie in 1:43.86 and earned an 82 Beyer Speed Figure. It was not a good group of 3-year-old fillies. Rovenna might be better in a sprint.

Snow Chief

Tamarando was expected to win the 1 1/8-mile turf race for statebred 3-year-olds, race 10, but the Hollendorfer trainee completely misfired. He finished a flat fourth. Awesome Return rallied from fifth to win by three-quarters in 1:48.88. He earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure. It was another nondescript race.

Summary

It was a picturesque spring afternoon, and 8,204 fans attended the California Gold Rush program. But when only 32 runners show up for five stakes worth a combined $850,000, the program clearly needs help.

The main track has played “fair” the past four days of racing.

Horses to Watch

CHATTERING GAMBLER
Trainer: Ray Bell
Last race: April 26, race 2
Finish: Fifth
Beyer: 63

This first-time starter was void of speed, raced in traffic (did not have trouble), and finished evenly in a good debut. He might want to run long. Sired by Dixie Chatter, he is the first foal out of a dam (Gambler’s Justice) that was a route stakes winner.