A money run for Green Team, Trapper
ALBANY, Calif. - Northern California horses ran one-three in Saturday's Cal Cup Sprint, and the trainers of those horses, Jeff Bonde and William E. Morey, were naturally pleased with their efforts.
The Bonde-trained Green Team won the race, running his fourth straight triple-digit Beyer since being claimed for $32,000 at the Solano County Fair. He finished two lengths in front of Summer Service, who was a half-length in front of the Morey-trained Trapper. The time for the six furlongs was 1:07.98.
"He came with his best race at the right time," said Bonde.
Green Team has won three of four starts for Bonde. His only loss in that stretch came by a neck to Trapper in the $100,000 California Sprint Championship Handicap at Bay Meadows, in his start before the Cal Cup.
Bonde can't explain Green Team's improvement. "He just seemed to blossom," said Bonde, who claimed Green Team to run at Del Mar, where the horse won twice.
Bonde said he discovered Green Team was anemic, and has been treating him for it.
The long-range goal for Green Team is the Sunshine Millions in January, but his next start could be in the $100,000 On Trust Handicap for Cal-breds at 7 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 13 at Hollywood Park.
As for Trapper, Morey claimed the 3-year-old for $32,000 from his debut April 3 at Bay Meadows.
"We're proud of him," Morey said after the Cal Cup Sprint. "You couldn't ask too much more of him. He was closing at them hard. I talked with people who have been watching races down there, and they thought he made up a lot of ground on a track where that doesn't happen very often."
Like Green Team, Trapper might run next in the On Trust, Morey said.
"It's pretty amazing, two $32,000 claims up here have turned into such good horses," Morey said.
Frisco Belle jogs at Turf Paradise
Trainer Greg Gilchrist shipped Frisco Belle to Turf Paradise, where she won the $35,000 Chandler Handicap on Saturday. Frisco Belle was a 1-5 favorite in the 7 1/2-furlong turf race, which was little more than a paid workout. Frisco Belle beat runner-up Himalayan by 3 1/2 lengths.
"She's supposed to beat that kind that way," said jockey Joe Castro. "We didn't learn anything. It was almost too easy."
Gilchrist said that he wanted the filly to get used to shipping because he is looking at a possible trip to Florida for her.
"Her record has kind of snuck up on me: 11 starts, 5 wins, 4 seconds," he said. "She's versatile and can run on turf or dirt. Now we have to find out if she can handle better horses."
Figueroa rides three winners
Jockey Omar Figueroa, sidelined since suffering a broken left wrist and hairline fracture of his collarbone in a spill on Sept. 21, rode his first winners since the accident when he won three races Sunday.
Figueroa had ridden three other mounts since the start of the Golden Gate Fields meeting last Wednesday.
He won Sunday's opener, guiding favored Bold N Old to a wire-to-wire victory in a $12,500 claimer at one mile. He then rode back-to-back winners in the fifth and sixth races, coming from well off the pace with both Legendary Star ($25.40) and The Law of Seattle ($35).
Evil Lady one to beat Thursday
Eight rivals will have the speedy Evil Lady to catch in Thursday's feature, a $25,000 claimer at six furlongs.
Trainer Kent Molinaro passed Sunday's Camilla Urso Handicap with Evil Lady to run her here.
Evil Lady has 7 wins and 3 seconds in 14 starts.
Shining Britely, who couldn't match Evil Lady's speed in a race on Oct. 10, came back to win her next start and will try Evil Lady again. Amazing Sue, who beat stronger at Bay Meadows in her last start, might threaten the top two with a stalking trip.