Juveniles eyeing stakes at Pleasanton

Seventeen 2-year-old fillies have been nominated for Saturday’s Juan Gonzalez Memorial Stakes at the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meet, while 16 2-year-olds, including four of the fillies, have been nominated for the Everett Nevin Stakes on Sunday’s closing-day card.

Nine of the fillies and 10 of the Nevin nominees are coming off wins, although none of the nominees in either race has placed in a stakes.

Racing secretary Tom Doutrich is pleased with the way the meet has been going.

“The numbers are good, but we’re not getting much from down south,” he said. “With the purse structure, local guys are engaging.”

With Oak Tree boosting stakes purses, Doutrich has been able to increase some categories, including the important first allowance level. He is hopeful that the meet’s success will carry over to next year.