Fueled by Bourbon gets class relief in Jess Jackson Owners' Handicap
SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Fueled by Bourbon gets some class relief with a change of venue as the Southern California raider appears to be the one to beat in Saturday’s $50,000 Jess Jackson Owners’ Handicap at Santa Rosa. The five-furlong turf event drew a field of 10.
Owned by Bourbon Lane Stable and trained by Dan Blacker, Fueled by Bourbon returned after a seven-month layoff trying turf for the first time at Santa Anita on April 30 and was a smart winner. He came back to be second on the hillside course there June 13 but was awarded the win via disqualification. That earned him a start in the Oceanside Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar on July 16, but he was in tight going into the far turn and unable to threaten, finishing seventh. Russell Baze rides on Saturday.
Richard’s Boy, owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by Peter Miller, is another Southern California invader. He’s proven on turf as well, having won 2 of 3 grass starts, including the Desert Code on Santa Anita’s hillside course May 2. He most recently dueled before fading to be a well-beaten fourth in the Real Good Deal on the main track at Del Mar on Aug. 2.
Shudacudawudya, owned by Brett Mason and trained by Lloyd Mason, was out of action for more than 31 months before finishing a game second off that long layoff on turf here July 30.
KEY CONTENDERS
Fueled by Bourbon (Last 3 Beyers: 75-83-82)
◗ He figures to enjoy returning to a sprint. He showed high speed in his only two grass sprints.
◗ He has the right to be a good horse as he’s by Stroll, a Grade 1 winner on grass.
◗ He comes here off a couple of solid Del Mar works, indicating that there are no ill effects from that Oceanside run.
Richard’s Boy (Last 3 Beyers: 76-32-83)
◗ He is 2 for 3 on grass, the wins coming the two times he’s sprinted. His lone turf defeat came in the Snow Chief at Santa Anita when asked to go 1 1/8 miles, which is apparently out of his reach.
◗ He has loads of speed and figures to be prominent from the start. The fairly quick turnaround (13 days) after fading in his last start at Del Mar on Aug. 2 encourages.
Shudacudawudya (Last 3 Beyers: 75-85-88)
◗ He won this race in 2012.
◗ He has the tactical speed and versatility to give his rider options and certainly can improve with that last outing under his belt after the very long layoff.