Late-running Oiseau de Guerre set up to win fourth straight in Oakland Stakes

Saturday’s $50,000 Oakland Stakes could be the race of the meet at the Golden Gate Fields fall meeting. The six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up attracted seven runners, including Oiseau de Guerre, who has won three straight, and several of the quickest sprinters on the grounds.

Baja Sur, Quick and Silver, Sigur Ros, My Friend Emma, and perhaps Indian Zip all are interested in getting the lead, while late-running Oiseau de Guerre will be looking to rally from well off the pace.

Oiseau de Guerre is based at Santa Anita with Michael McCarthy, but his three-race win streak has been built at Golden Gate. All three victories came in six-furlong allowance sprints on the Tapeta, and in all three Oiseau de Guerre sat back early and came home with a rush. With a seeming overload of speed in the Oakland, Oiseau de Guerre should have every chance to make it four straight.

Trainer Blaine Wright saddles the 3-year-old Baja Sur, who had led every step of his first four races, all at Emerald Downs, including three stakes victories. Baja Sur showed he wasn’t just a horse for the Emerald course on Oct. 5 in the restricted Harris Farms Stakes at Fresno, his first try against older. Baja Sur led early, then stalked My Friend Emma when he took over. Baja Sur wound up second behind Fashionably Fast, who was coming off two straight wins at Del Mar, outfinishing My Friend Emma.

Even though the loss knocked Baja Sur from the ranks of the unbeaten, Wright was encouraged by the way he responded despite being headed for the first time.

“We always felt he was a special horse, but you never know when you’re facing older,” said Wright.

Wright expects Baja Sur to be a pace factor again in the Oakland.

“You always hate to take speed away from a speed horse,” he said.

Sigur Ros has one way of going – all out early. The 5-year-old gelding has started only three times this year and has romped against claimers here in his past two starts. Last out, Sigur Ros won a $25,000 claimer by four lengths in 1:08.64 for six furlongs.

“He obviously likes this track and is going really good,” said trainer Andy Mathis. “He just won in eight and change, and he has confidence coming in. He’s picked up momentum, and we have nothing to lose.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Oiseau de Guerre, by War Front

Last 3 Beyers: 88-90-83

◗ He ran down Saturday rival Indian Zip in his last start and My Friend Emma two starts back.

◗ Has a Santa Anita bullet work since his last start

◗ Breaks from the rail under Julien Couton, who was aboard for his three straight wins.

Baja Sur, by Smiling Tiger

Last 3 Beyers: 89-86-87

◗ Runs on a synthetic surface for the first time, but has been training at Golden Gate since late September.