Go Go gets 125; that's OK with Stute

DEL MAR, Calif. - Colts race in the Triple Crown carrying 126 pounds as 3-year-olds, but have a racing secretary put 119 on them a year later for a handicap and the trainer moans as though Lasix was just banned. Warren Stute, the trainer of the brilliant filly Go Go, has watched the weight pile up on Go Go, to a career-high 125 pounds for Sunday's Grade 3 $150,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar. But Stute has a refreshing attitude toward the assignment, one born of sensibility, and more than 60 years on the racetrack.

"Bill Molter, who used to train Round Table, used to say you shouldn't worry about carrying high weight," the 79-year-old Stute said Friday morning, "because if you are carrying high weight, it means you're the best."

Go Go is the best female sprinter on the West Coast. She has won seven times in her last eight starts, the lone loss in that streak coming when she lost by a bob of the head against the now retired La Feminn. In the 6 1/2-furlong Rancho Bernardo, Go Go has to concede anywhere from six to 16 pounds to her five rivals, the best of whom is Kalookan Queen, who was defeated twice by Go Go earlier this year at Hollywood Park.

Since then, Go Go has been freshened for the Rancho Bernardo, while Kalookan Queen tuned up with a victory here four weeks ago in the restricted Fantastic Girl Stakes.

Go Go has yet to win at Del Mar, but was second and third in two starts here last summer. Her regular rider, Eddie Delahoussaye, carries a whip, but never reaches back to hit her, because she will sulk under those circumstances.

Per usual, Stute said he planned on giving Go Go a three-furlong blowout the day before the race, on Saturday. "She's a bleeder. I don't want to run a short horse," he said.

Go Go is owned by by Alan Thomas, his wife, Paula, and their son, Roger.

The Rancho Bernardo, which goes as the third race, is one of two stakes on the Pacific Classic undercard. The other is the $75,000 Finlandia Cup Handicap, a one-mile turf race for

3-year-old fillies who decided to duck Saturday's Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks. Gabriellina Giof, second to Reine de Romance in the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap on July 29, carries top weight of 120 pounds as she seeks her fifth win in nine starts.