G.G. Ryder gets perfect trip to take Alcatraz

Odds-on favorite G. G. Ryder settled into a perfect stalking position in a speed-filled race and pulled away through the lane to record his first stakes victory, capturing the $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday.

The victory was his fifth in six starts since being privately purchased in January by leading trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and Dr. George Todaro.

Four of the five runners in the field of 3-year-olds had won races on the lead, but jockey Russell Baze was able to get G. G. Ryder ($3.40) to sit off the honest pace of Latitudefortytwo. G. G. Ryder was second, but went past the tiring Latitudefortytwo into the lane and opened a lead in the stretch.

It appeared G.G. Ryder might be challenged by recent maiden winner Pazmeifucan, but he was able to inch away through the lane of the one-mile turf race, beating Pazmeifucan by 13/4 lengths in 1:36.98.

Flagman edged Pete’s Slew, who hit the gate and hopped at the start, in a photo for third, three lengths behind Pazmeifucan. Latitudefortytwo faded to last.

The victory was G. G. Ryder’s third straight at one mile after running third in his first try at the distance.

“He’s a colt that is just going to go a little quick,” said Baze. “He’s kind of a bulldog. If you try to take him back too much, he’ll fight you. That’s probably what cost him the first time I rode him long.

“He likes to be left alone, but when you chirp to him, he lays his ears back and goes. He just really levels out and tries. I like that about him.”

G. G. Rider earned $45,000 from the $75,000 purse and has now earned $131,230 with 5 wins in 8 starts.

Hollendorfer said he might look at races at Del Mar for G.G. Rider, a Cal-bred son of Chhaya Dance.