Hollendorfer has 3 in wide-open Grace

SANTA ROSA, Calif. Although the race lacks the headliner name it had in recent years, when it carried a $100,000 purse, Saturdays field for the $50,000 Joseph Grace Handicap is a good one for the betting public.

There is plenty of depth in the field, which includes last years second- and third-place finishers, Eager Pharisien and Saratogas Magic. All seven runners in the 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up are based in Northern California.

Saratogas Magic, one of three runners from the Jerry Hollendorfer barn, comes into race off a solid win in the Alamedan Handicap at Pleasanton. That race came on dirt, and Saratogas Magic should be sharp and ready to roll for the Grace on what may be his better surface.

Putmeinyourwill, also trained by Hollendorfer, fell a neck short of Saratogas Magic at Pleasanton. He should enjoy a good stalking trip in the Grace.

Our Partner rounds out the Hollendorfer trio. He scored a pair of allowance victories earlier this year, but will be hard-pressed to get his first stakes victory.

Pass the Heat was the narrow second choice in the Alamedan when fifth behind Saratogas Magic and Putmeinyourwill. Although his lone stakes victory was on the dirt, he is a son of Unusual Heat, and like many of that sires offspring prefers the turf. He won on this course last year.

Yacht Spotter is a neck away from four consecutive victories. He won a first-condition allowance level and an optional claimer in his last two, going wire to wire both times. Hell contest Saratogas Magic for the lead and has the advantage of being drawn outside him. He defeated Saratogas Magic in his last start.

Eager Pharisien hasnt won since January 2006. He hasnt raced in six weeks, and wound up preparation with a solid mile workout on the main track here.

Cover Magic scored back-to-back turf victories earlier this year.