A K Racer's strong kick, big Beyer reflect talent

ALBANY, Calif. - Trainer Jeff Bonde has developed several top 2-year-olds in recent years and is excited by his two entrants in Sunday's Golden Gate Fields closing-day feature, the $75,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes, at five furlongs.

"Both broke their maidens impressively," he said of A K Racer, a six-length winner in his May 25 debut at five furlongs, and Matt's Marauder, who won a two-furlong race by 2 1/4 lengths on May 1 at Bay Meadows.

Bonde's duo will face six rivals, including Conclusive, runner-up to Backbackbackgone in the Willard Proctor on May 25 at Hollywood Park.

One maiden is entered in the race, Maidens Justice, second in both starts and possessor of the second-best Beyer Speed Figure in the field, a 79 behind A K Racer's 84.

Seismometer, disqualified after finishing first on April 23, won his next start on May 22 at Hollywood, earning a 76 Beyer, three points higher than Conclusive's figure in the Proctor.

But Beyers mean little at this time of the year. Easy wins like A K Racer's can be deceptive because there's no telling what they beat.

"The difference between good ones, bad ones, and ordinary ones is how they finish," Bonde said. "A K Racer was very impressive and got a very big number. He's got good jump for a small horse, but I really liked the way he finished."

Matt's Marauder comes off a troubled seventh-place finish in the Proctor, where he was bumped early and shuffled back along the rail while ridden by David Flores.

"Matt's Marauder didn't get a good trip at Hollywood Park, and it was like David gave up on the middle of the turn," said Bonde. "But he came back and breezed all right."

Matt's Marauder has an easy half-mile maintenance work since his Hollywood Park misadventure.

A K Racer has a pair of half-mile works, including the second-best of 35 here on June 12.

Five of the eight runners come off wire-to-wire victories, but A K Racer may be the quickest. He gets top speed rider Roberto Gonzalez, Bonde's main man with top 2-year-olds.

Turbo Call, a stablemate of Conclusive, won his lone start at two furlongs while flashing excellent speed. He has worked steadily in three months since his debut, including a six-furlong breeze, but there is a difference running down a straightaway and running on a turn.

Conclusive did all right stalking in the Proctor, where he lost by four lengths but was still four in front of the third-place finisher. Maidens Justice, who broke slowly in his debut, got away from the gate better and stalked nicely last time and should be sitting in a good spot behind the leaders.