Hollendorfer has classy pair in Bull Dog
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer sends out the multiple stakes winners G. G. Ryder and Outside Nashville against four other 3-year-olds and up in the $50,000 Bull Dog Handicap on Sunday, closing day of the Big Fresno Fair.
Also in the 1 1/8-mile dirt race are Downtown C.T., Eagle Screams, Beast of Bourbon, and Atomic Rule.
G. G. Ryder reigned supreme this spring at Golden Gate Fields, winning both of the graded stakes for older runners there this year, the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile on turf and the Grade 3 All American on Tapeta. But he’s lost his last three starts, all in stakes, including a fourth in his lone dirt start in the Oak Tree Handicap at Pleasanton. G. G. Ryder enters off a second-place finish in the Rolling Green Handicap on the Golden Gate turf Sept. 7.
Outside Nashville ran third in the Rolling Green last out. Outside Nashville beat Eagle Screams to win the Joseph T. Grace Handicap on the Santa Rosa turf in August. He has never won on dirt, though he has a second and a third in four starts on the surface.
Southern California-based Alfredo Marquez claimed Downtown C.T. for $32,000 two starts back Sept. 2 at Del Mar. A 6-year-old Crafty C.T. gelding, Downtown C.T. won this race last year. His two victories on dirt are the most in the field, and he is the lone entrant to have won at the distance.
Eagle Screams is the only runner other than Downtown C.T. to have run at Fresno, finishing second in an allowance race there in 2012. He has two seconds and two fourths in his last four starts, all in stakes, including a fourth in the Rolling Green.
Beast of Bourbon was second in an optional claimer on turf at Golden Gate in his last start. He is the only member of the field other than Downtown C.T. with a dirt victory. Atomic Rule will make his stakes debut.
Key Contenders
G. G. Ryder (Last 3 Beyers: 93-87-92)
◗ He ran evenly in the Oak Tree Handicap, finishing two lengths behind the winner, Blues Blaster.
◗ He wound up on the lead on turf last time but is likely to get his preferred stalking trip in the Bull Dog.
Outside Nashville (Last 3 Beyers: 90-95-92)
◗ He’ll be near the rear of the pack early and should get a clean trip in a compact field. He tends to wear down rivals rather than running past them.
Eagle Screams (Last 3 Beyers: 85-92-95)
◗ He beat the Hollendorfer duo on dirt in the Oak Tree Handicap. He should be forwardly placed and could offer the best value among the contenders.