Gold Rush at stiff test for Allaboutaction
It’s been five weeks since Allaboutaction’s scintillating debut, and on Saturday important questions about his class and ability to handle a distance will be answered in the $75,000 Gold Rush for 2-year-olds going a mile at Golden Gate Fields.
A Candy Ride gelding, Allaboutaction took a nice stalking spot three wide in his debut and pulled away to win the six-furlong dash by nine lengths on Halloween at Golden Gate.
Leading jockey Russell Baze watched him from the sidelines while serving a suspension, but he’d worked Allaboutaction and knew he was a good one.
He has worked four times since his debut, including a six-furlong bullet, and Baze said, “I’d be surprised if he didn’t run really good.”
Baze rides Allaboutaction, a $200,000 yearling purchase by Mark Dedomenico, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, and George Todaro.
Allaboutaction has five rivals in the Gold Rush. Gold Rush Dancer is the lone member of the field who has run a route, winning the Gottstein Futurity at 1 1/16 miles at Emerald Downs this fall. He also has run second and third twice in stakes, including a third in the Golden Nugget here Nov. 7.
Algenon has two seconds and a third in stakes races, losing to the undefeated Smokey Image twice as well as to Code Warrior in the Golden Nugget. A filly, Code Warrior won the Golden Gate Debutante here last Saturday.
Rounding out the field are Marqula, fourth in each of his two stakes appearances, Mana Strike, and the maiden Mad Bum.
$75,000 GOLD RUSH (Race 5)
Key contenders
ALLABOUTACTION (Beyer:74)
◗ Highly regarded gelding lived up to advance billing in his debut, and his breeding suggests he’ll be even better routing.
◗ He is out of a dam who was graded stakes placed at 2 and a multiple stakes winner.
◗ With his debut under his belt and four works since, he should be well conditioned enough to get the mile.
◗ He sat in second early in his debut, but may go for the lead from the rail Saturday.
GOLD RUSH DANCER (Last 3 Beyers: 61-71-70)
◗ He seemed to relish two turns in the Gottstein, pulling away to win by 5 1/2 lengths. Was no threat in the Golden Nugget, but he has a solid five-furlong bullet work since.
◗ Blinkers are being added to his equipment.
ALGENON (Last 3 Beyers: 74-61-80)
◗ He bobbled at the break but took the early lead in the Golden Nugget.
◗ He’s by Aragorn, a multiple Grade 1 winner who was second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, so he should handle the distance.