Gabo's Macondo holds on to win Bull Dog

Gabo's Macondo ($10) gave trainer Jonathan Wong a sweep of the stakes races at the Big Fresno Fair by winning the $55,600 Bull Dog Handicap on closing day of the 2018 fair racing season Sunday.

The 5-year-old Cape Blanco gelding won his stakes debut, notching his fourth straight victory, including three for Wong, who claimed him for $20,000 on July 27 at Sacramento for Madden Racing, Deborah Keiletich, and Jeff Owen.

"He ran really good. I'm really proud of him," Wong said of the front-running victory. "I'm glad Abel [Cedillo] put him on the lead. There wasn't much speed, and it was a great ride."

Though Touched by Autism raced head-and-head with the leader to the second turn of the 1 1/8-mile race, Gabo's Macondo relaxed nicely for Cedillo through fractions of 23.54 seconds, 48.03, and 1:12.42.

Gabo's Macondo opened up a one-length lead at the quarter pole and held on as More Power to Him, who was eighth early, closed well to finish second, beaten a neck. The final time was 1:49.74. Kitten's Royal was third, with Touched by Autism fourth.

More Power to Him is 0 for 11 in stakes, but Sunday's runner-up effort was his fifth in stakes competition, where he's never failed to pick up a check.

Wong said he is considering nominating Gabo's Macondo to the Claiming Crown.

The victory was Gabo Macondo's seventh in 23 starts. His $30,800 first-place prize lifted his career earnings to $135,955.