Golden Gate Fields: Gold Rush gives derby hopefuls first real test

Six 2-year-olds begin their derby quests Saturday in the $75,000 Gold Rush at one mile at Golden Gate Fields. Those who run well could advance to January’s California Derby or February’s Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby, and perhaps even farther.

The one-mile distance will be the first two-turn race for four of the runners. Only Rockford, who won at a mile on the turf in his second start, and Argyle Cut, second to Rockford before winning a maiden race at one mile on the turf in his next start, have been a distance of ground.

The race has only one stakes winner, Exit Stage Left, who won the six-furlong Golden Nugget last month as the even-money favorite here in his debut. Unusual Americaine, second in the Golden Nugget, and Pete’s Slew, fourth in the Golden Nugget after winning his first two starts, also return.

Mr. Discipline, who recorded a front-running victory in his debut, rounds out the field.

Exit Stage Left, a $100,000 Barretts purchase by Mark DeDomenico and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, looms the likely favorite. He finished gamely after checking midway around the turn in the Golden Nugget. Russell Baze rode Exit Stage Left in that race and will be back aboard on Saturday.

Rockford makes his first start since his Sept. 13 maiden victory, which came by a half-length over Argyle Cut.

“He’s a good-looking, long-striding runner who always finishes well in his works,” said trainer Bill Patterson of Rockford, a gelded son of Rock Hard Ten.

Patterson said Rockford “exceeded expectations” in his only other start, rallying from next-to-last to be fourth, beaten two lengths by future stakes winner Life Is a Joy, in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race.

“Two-year-old maiden races going short are the toughest races here,” said Patterson. “You usually have some high-priced yearling purchases to run against. It’s always nice to see you ran well against someone who went on to do something.”

Patterson is not overly concerned about the layoff.

“Mentally, he comes in as sharp as he can be, and, if he loses, we won’t say it’s because he hasn’t raced in three months,” Patterson said. “We want to see if he takes a step forward. We hope he runs well enough to confirm our expectations.”

Unusual Americaine finished very strongly after checking inside the quarter pole in the Golden Nugget. Pete’s Slew was part of a contentious pace in that race, and grabbed the lead in the lane before settling for fourth, beaten one length.