Morey has mare in for $50K

ALBANY, Calif. - What more can be expected from Kendrick's Patsy, who has won five straight turf races?

Trainer Billy Morey would like to see a sixth straight turf victory when he sends the 5-year-old mare out for the toughest test of her career Friday at Golden Gate Fields, when she will meet eight rivals in a second-level allowance with a $50,000 claiming option at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

Kendrick's Patsy and Gemstone Rush are the only two runners in for a claiming price.

Morey claimed Kendrick's Patsy for owner Kevin Kleczka for $25,000 on April 4. She recorded her second straight victory that day.

"Our whole plan was to put her in a first-condition allowance," Morey said. "It was our plan and it worked."

Kendrick's Patsy won a May 5 allowance race by a nose, catching Six Cents of Humor in the final stride. She then won May 20 for a $32,000 claiming price.

It was her fourth straight victory, all on the turf, and all as the favorite.

"It will be quite a test," Morey said of Friday's race. "She's never met this kind in her career. But if there's ever a time to take a chance, this is it.

Morey is coming back a bit quickly because he wants to keep Kendrick's Patsy on the turf. There will be no Northern California turf racing for the next month, until the fair circuit reaches Santa Rosa.

"You have to recognize when you're on a hot streak, and sometimes get in sooner," Morey said. "When they're good, you sometimes have to jump at opportunities."

Kendrick's Patsy will be meeting a Jerry Hollendorfer-trained entry of Rockella and Gemstone Rush. The 3-year-old Rockella won three straight before running second in the Golden Poppy in her last start, May 12. Gemstone Rush won a second-condition allowance race on March 1.

The field also includes Gentle Charmer, coming off a runner-up finish to Somethinaboutlaura in the May 13 Work the Crowd.

Logan Avenue Linda has hit the board in all three starts at this level, sandwiched around a placing last year in the Noe Valley. Snowdrop has run third in two tries at the level this year, while Key Rose was second to Kendrick's Patsy's stablemate Christmas Stocking at this level in her last start, on May 12.