Hoping fast drills translate to a win

A June 28 workout at Pleasanton convinced trainer Monty Meier to enter two runners in Saturday s $50,000 Cavonnier Juvenile Stakes at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif. Meier entered Beyond Tempting, a $25,000 maiden claiming winner in his debut, and the unraced King Kelly in the six-furlong stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds.

Nine runners entered the race, including Time for Atonement, who won his debut in straight maiden company at Pleasanton.

Beyond Tempting and King Kelly worked from the gate with the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained Time for Atonement at Pleasanton on June 28. All three were given a time of 1:00.80 for five furlongs.

My two worked with Hollendorfer s horse, the 145-pound Meier said. I was on King Kelly, and my exercise rider, who goes about 150, was on Beyond Tempting. Russell Baze was on Time for Atonement.

King Kelly stumbled leaving the gate and probably was six or seven lengths behind Russell, but they finished evenly, and Beyond Tempting was just behind them.

King Kelly s last work was a 1:11.60 six-furlong drill, which earned him a start in a stakes in his debut.

That six-furlong work helped make my decision, Meier said. He got a little tired, but he was carrying 145 pounds. He gets in at 114 Saturday, which will make a big difference.

Beyond Tempting battled head-and-head on the lead through very fast fractions in his debut, putting away his pace rival before winning by a neck.

He s very game, and he s very fast, Meier said. That win picked his head up, and he came back and worked very well.

Time for Atonement was second all the way before putting his head in front in his July 3 debut win.

Time for Atonement could go off the favorite for the Baze-Hollendorfer duo, but his rail draw could make it difficult for him.

If his June 28 work is any indication, King Kelly seems capable of sitting early and making a strong run late, which should be a good style in this spot.

They ve been workmates all spring, Meier said of his runners. I feel they re coming up to this race as good as they should be.

Minesweeper, a straight maiden winner in his June 13 debut at Golden Gate Fields, and Mr. Rocket and Emeralds Boy, who both won bottom-level maiden claimers, also come into Saturday s race off a victory.

Rounding out the field are Oonga Boonga, second in his debut; Skipshot, who has lost to Our Minesweeper and Time for Atonement; and the debuting Sandton.