Kanderel notches first stakes victory in Alcatraz

Benefiting from an ideal trip, Kanderel closed from fourth on the turn to win his first stakes in Saturday’s $75,900 Alcatraz Stakes for 3-year-olds at Golden Gate Fields.

Ridden by leading rider Juan Hernandez, Kanderel ($4.60) took the lead from pacesetter Bettor Trip Nick in the stretch and held off a late challenge from 13-1 Ajourneytofreedom to win by a head.

Kanderel ran a mile on turf in 1:36.80 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 81.

Indian Peak was withdrawn early Saturday in favor of a scheduled start in the $150,000 Snow Chief Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds at Santa Anita on June 20, trainer Quinn Howey said in a text message.

Bettor Trip Nick, a two-time stakes winner on the synthetic main track at Golden Gate Fields last fall, had his turf debut in the Alcatraz.

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Bettor Trip Nick set an early pace of 23.64 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.90 seconds for a half-mile. Bettor Trip Nick led by a half-length with a furlong remaining, but could not sustain the advantage.

Kanderel has won 2 of 6 starts and earned $79,622 for owners and breeders Alain and Gerard Wertheimer and trainer Richard Mandella.

A colt by Candy Ride, Kanderel won his debut in a one-mile maiden special weight race on turf at Santa Anita last September, but struggled in four subsequent starts. His best result in that span was a fourth in an allowance race with an $80,000 claiming option at a mile on turf in his 2020 debut at Santa Anita on March 20.

The Alcatraz Stakes was Kanderel’s first start at Golden Gate Fields.