Hollendorfer sends top 2 in feature
A strong field of 10 older allowance horses will run in Sunday's featured eighth race at Golden Gate Fields, a 1 1/16-mile allowance on the Lakeside turf course. Heading the cast in the headliner is the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained entry of Alert and Ready and Ninebanks.
Both of the Hollendorfer horses are coming off good races and the entry should be a strong betting favorite. Ninebanks has won two races this season and has two seconds for earnings of more than $57,000. Last out, a very strong allowance feature at Bay Meadows on Sept. 10, Ninebanks held the lead into deep stretch before weakening late to wind up fourth.
Ninebanks won his previous start at Bay Meadows, rallying from well back for a three-length triumph over Surprise Halo in an allowance. Ninebanks was claimed for $50,000 in his previous start at Del Mar. He just missed in that expensive claiming race.
Alert and Ready moves into Sunday's feature off a winning effort over a band of $25,000 claimers on the turf at Bay Meadows. Alert and Ready was making only the second start of his 2001 campaign and responded with a very good effort. He was fourth in his only other start this year.
Cantil, a winner over the turf course in January, has had one sprint start in his comeback and should be ready for a strong effort. Cantil held gamely here in his January race, a $50,000 claimer, and should improve off his sprint return.
Capt. Fly Hook, trained by Gloria Buckridge, has been racing strongly on the turf and can surprise here at a nice price. Last out, Capt. Fly Hook rallied far wide in a good allowance race at Bay Meadows and finished fourth behind Storm Signal. In his previous start, he closed from far back in a first-level allowance feature to prove a neck best for his third career victory.
Worthy Deed comes off three straight strong efforts and appears to be in top form for trainer Rene Mescua. A 4-year-old son of Go for Gin, Worth Deed wired a field of allowance horses last out at Bay Meadows. Worthy Deed also captured his previous try over the turf here but was placed second for drifting out in the late stages.