Hollendorfer has trio for All American Stakes
Northern California stakes fields don’t get much tougher than the 12 runners signed up for Monday’s $100,000, Grade 3 All American at Golden Gate Fields.
Last year’s one-two finishers in the race, G. G. Ryder and Outside Nashville, as well as Poshsky, who won last year’s Grade 3 Berkeley, will meet this year. They’ll be taking on three other stakes winners as well as two local track specialists.
In addition to G. G. Ryder, who has won four stakes, two graded, and Outside Nashville, who has five stakes wins, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is sending out Southern Freedom, winless in six stakes tries but 2 for 2 over Golden Gate’s Tapeta surface. The three Hollendorfer entrants are a combined 25-14-6-3 over the main track here.
Star Student, the 6-year-old mare Living The Life, and Tamarando are stakes winners here, with Tamarando’s victory coming in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby in 2014.
The locally based Docs Legacy and Eagle Screams, making his first start since being claimed Feb. 7 from a nose victory over Docs Legacy, add depth to the field.
G. G. Ryder set the pace before finishing fifth, beaten 2 1/4 lengths, in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile on turf April 30 in his first start in three months.
“He ran well,” said Hollendorfer, who expects improvement with that race under his belt.
G. G. Ryder has never finished off the board on the main track, and stablemate Outside Nashville has won six of 12 starts here, including three stakes.
“There’s not anything I can tell,” Hollendorfer said when asked to explain Outside Nashville’s success here.
Ditto with Southern Freedom. “He’s won three races on synthetics, so we want to give him a chance,” said Hollendorfer.
All American (race 6)
Key Contenders
G. G. Ryder, by Chhaya Dancer
Last 3 Beyers: 96-71-91
◗ Defending race winner has never run a bad race here and has had three maintenance drills since fading in the lane in the San Francisco Mile. Barn has a solid record in the second start after a layoff.
Docs Legacy, by Ad Valorem
Last 3 Beyers: 91-91-88
◗ Gelding loves the Tapeta, and few other runners have the quick turn of foot and ability to extend their stride like he does over the surface. He sits back early and does need some luck, but a clean trip would make him particularly dangerous at a big price.
Blue Tone, by Birdstone
Last 3 Beyers: 83-99-83
◗ One-mile specialist makes his debut here in the third start off a layoff. Bounced when sent to Texas after running second in the Santana Mile in his comeback. Has had two solid works since returning from Texas.