Marwood takes Pleasanton feature

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Marwood ($8.60), the lesser regarded of two entries from trainer Jerry Hollendorfer set the second track record in two days Monday at the Alameda County Fair, winning the $50,595 Alameda County Fillies and Mares Handicap while running 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.04.

Marwood, a 4-year-old filly coming off a pair of seconds in turf stakes, defeated Guidebook by 3 1/4 lengths. Her time beat the old track record of 1:40.34 set by Aunt Sophie in winning this race last year.

"She's my favorite horse in Jerry's barn," winning rider Ron Warren Jr. said. "She keeps impressing me. She'll do whatever you want, but this is her best effort. She keeps improving every day."

Marty's Zee set the pace with Marwood and Guidebook sitting a length off her. Marwood sliced to the lead along the rail midway around the turn and increased her advantage from there.

Hollendorfer also saddled 11-10 favorite Gonetorule, who finished sixth.

"I thought she could be Marwood today, but it was Marwood's day," Hollendorfer said. "Whenever you get outside and don't have speed, you have to try to find a way to win. Marwood saved ground and has some speed. I told Ron not to let the other one get away to an easy lead."

Marwood, who may be pointed to a stakes at Santa Rosa, earned $27,585 for her first stakes victory, increasing her lifetime earnings to $122,240 with four wins and two seconds in eight starts.