I’mgonnabesomebody holds off challenge in Spear Memorial

I’mgonnabesomebody held off a sustained threat from 9-5 favorite Jimmy Blue Jeans to win the $65,000 Sam Spear Memorial Stakes on Monday at Golden Gate Fields.

Allowed to set a modest pace of 24.64 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 49.70 for a half-mile, I’mgonnabesomebody edged Jimmy Blue Jeans by three-quarters of a length in the race at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

Ridden by Santos Rivera, I’mgonnabesomebody ($9.60) was timed in 1:43.76 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.

Jimmy Blue Jeans, winner of the Snow Chief Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds at Santa Anita in June 2021, was well-placed throughout under jockey Assael Espinoza, tracking I’mgonnabesomebody.

On the turn, Espinoza moved Jimmy Blue Jeans alongside I’mgonnabesomebody but could not get past the winner.

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Me and Mr. C (5-2) finished third, followed by Harmon, Black Caspian, Huge Bigly, Govenor’s Party, American Farmer, and Our Silver Oak.

I’mgonnabesomebody, who began his career with a third-place finish in a $25,000 claimer for maidens in June 2021, had his fourth stakes appearance in the Sam Spear Memorial, a race named in honor of the late Bay Area radio host and racing publicist.

I’mgonnabesomebody was fifth in the restricted Wickerr Stakes on July 24 at Del Mar after a wide trip in his preceding start.

Trained and co-owned by Bill McLean, I’mgonnabesomebody races for the partnership of Nin Auyueng, Sharon Broetzman, Philip Crosby, Cheryl Hauck, Todd Miller, Elizabeth Moran, and Marilyn Taylor.

I’mgonnabesomebody is the first stakes winner for McLean since Respect the Hustle won the Oak Tree Juvenile at Pleasanton in 2017.

A 4-year-old gelding by Will Take Charge, I’mgonnabesomebody has won 5 of 11 starts and earned $109,780.