Green Team captures Oakland Handicap

ALBANY, Calif. - Green Team ($17.40) sprinted to a quick lead and was never challenged as he defeated a solid field to win the $58,850 Oakland Handicap at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

A multiple stakes winner since being claimed for $32,000 in July 2003, Green Team took the lead from inside Bluesthestandard down the backstretch. He won the six-furlong race by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:07.77 as they ran one-two all the way. Onebadshark, who ran third all the way, was another two lengths back.

"Jeff said to stay close and move before the six horse (Bluesthestandard) moved," trainer Jeff Bonde's assistant Tommy Nelson said after the race.

Green Team, who won the California Sprint Championship in wire-to-wire style against a paceless field, opened on some proven speedsters with a 21.64 opening quarter and half mile in 43.72.

"He's feeling great. He was kicking in the paddock, and look at how shiny his coat is," Nelson said. "He was on his game today."

Green Team's 10th career victory was worth $36,350 and lifted his career earnings to $620,827 for Bonde and Ferro Family Trust, who have seen the 5-year-old gelding earn $419,665 for them.