G.G. Ryder scores front-running win in Bull Dog Handicap

G.G. Ryder defeated stablemate Outside Nashville in the $62,505 Bull Dog Handicap at the Big Fresno Fair on Sunday after getting a heady ride from regular jockey Ricardo Gonzalez.

The 1 1/8-mile race had plenty of speed, but Gonzalez, who broke from the outside post 6, put G.G. Ryder($5.60) on the lead immediately just outside Eagle Screams.

The two raced head-and-head through fractions of 23.40 46.85 seconds through the opening half-mile, but Eagle Screams, who wound up pinned on the rail, began to fade on the second turn.

G.G. Ryder, who had relaxed nicely despite being on the lead, continued his steady pace as Downtown C.T., who had scored a front-running victory in this race last year, moved up at the quarter pole.

But Downtown C.T. also began to fade as the field turned into the stretch, and Outside Nashville and Atomic Rule, who had trailed the rest of the field down the backstretch, moved into contention.

While they made up some ground, they did not seriously threaten as G.G. Ryder beat his stablemate by one length in 1:48.63 with Atomic Rule another 1 3/4 lengths back. Eagle Screams, who had been last in the stretch, managed to pass tired horses to finish fourth, another nine lengths back.

G.G. Ryder, owned by trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and George Todaro, earned $39,700 while picking up his third stakes victory of the year and first win on dirt. The 4-year-old G.G. Ryder has 11 wins in 23 starts with career earnings of $434,714.