Izzy Rules goes wire to wire in Gonzalez

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Izzy Rules ($5.60), who won her debut here on July 2, made a quick turnaround and scored a wire-to-wire victory in the Juan Gonzalez Memorial Stakes at the Alameda County Fair on Saturday.

The victory left trainer Jeff Bonde 3 for 3 in stakes at his hometown fair.

Izzy Rules, second choice in the field of five 2-year-old fillies, broke sharply, opening an immediate lead, and was never headed in the 5 1/2-furlong race. She blitzed the field with an opening quarter of 21.56 and half of 44.97, winning the race by one length over Got an Itch in 1:04.81. Ringing Bernie was third with heavily favored Washington Bridge fourth.

With $134,000 bet to show on Washington Bridge, show prices were $24.80 for Izzy Rules, $53.20 for Got an Itch, and $46.20 for Ringing Bernie.

"That was our one chance," said Bonde of Izzy Rules taking control of the race early. "The start definitely ended up being the key."

Izzy Rules shrugged off an early bump as she bounded to the lead, while Washington Bridge was bumped and bothered, falling back early and turning in a dull effort.

Izzy Rules, a daughter of Peace Rules owned by George Schmitt - who was celebrating his 67th birthday - and his wife, Mary Clare, earned $31,000 to lift her career earnings to $41,900.