Hudson Landing looks to end drought in Grace Handicap

SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Two veteran stakes winners could have plenty to say about the outcome of Sunday’s $50,000-added Joseph T. Grace Handicap, a 1 1/16-mile turf feature at the Sonoma County Fair.

Black Spirit won three straight turf races at Golden Gate Fields this spring. Hudson Landing seeks his first victory since winning the Grade 3 All American at Golden Gate on Nov. 23, 2012.

“He’s gotta grind one out,” said Blaine Wright, who trains Hudson Landing.

Wright said he is a bit frustrated by the current 13-race losing streak but is not disappointed by the 7-year-old Maria’s Mon gelding’s efforts. He hit the board in five of eight starts last year and three of four this year.

“We were going to skip the race, but with the defection of Summer Hit, we decided to run,” Wright said. “The field is pretty even, but Black Spirit [a 7-year-old Black Minnaloushe gelding] is the horse to beat.

Grace Handicap (Race 9)

Key contenders

Black Spirit (Last 3 Beyers: 44-89-93)

* The gelding was a stakes winner in England before coming to America for 2014.

* He dominated rivals in three straight Golden Gate Fields turf victories while running near the front, and was a factor at the mile mark of the 1 3/4-mile San Juan Capistrano before giving way badly. He has three nice works at Golden Gate since.

Pepper Crown (Last 3 Beyers: 87-86-92)

* He scored a $94.20 upset in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile three back and only lost by a length to Black Spirit in his last start.

* He’s better on the turf and won his maiden over this course last year, then came back to win again on the course.

* Trainer has been giving him one-mile workouts, so he should be fit for the Grace on a turf course that is kind to runners coming from off the pace such as Pepper Crown.

Hudson Landing (Last 3 Beyers: 80-90-86)

* He finished third in both the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile and the Grade 3 All American before running seventh in a throw-out race June 15 at Longacres. He was sitting in a good spot but got stopped approaching the quarter pole and again at the eighth pole after regaining momentum.

* He may prefer turf and Golden Gate’s synthetic Tapeta surface over dirt.