Mugaritz always in command in Bull Dog Handicap

Making his first start since March 8, Mugaritz ($8) controlled the pace and was never seriously challenged as he scored his fourth straight victory in capturing the $53,600 Bull Dog Handicap at the Big Fresno Fair on Sunday.

Ricardo Gonzalez broke Mugaritz sharply from the No. 1 post and led every step of the way in the 1 1/8-mile race.

Mugaritz turned in a metronome-like effort with even fractions of 24.34, 49.18, 1:14.18, and 1:38.06 as he defeated More Power to Him by 6 1/2 lengths in 1:50.53. Rocky Tough, who rallied from the back of the pack, was third, losing a photo to More Power to Him.

“It was a great effort,” said winning trainer Jonathan Wong.

The 3-year-old Koa, coming off two straight sprint wins, sat second behind Mugaritz most of the way, the winner simply cruising until pulling away when asked entering the stretch.

“We had no others pressuring him, so it was perfect,” said Wong.

Wong was originally pointing to running in the Nov. 2 Joseph T. Grace on the turf at Golden Gate Fields, but owner Alejandro Mercado wanted to run in the Bull Dog, even though Mugaritz was 0 for 2 on dirt.

“We've always had high hopes for the horse,” said Wong, who saw the 4-year-old Dialed In gelding run second in the California Derby and fourth after leading in the lane in the El Camino Real Derby as a 3-year-old.

“I wasn't sure how he'd handle dirt.”

Wong said he'd “let the horse tell me” when he should make his next start.

Mugaritz earned $30,300 for his first stakes win and now has earned $136.625 with six wins in 11 starts.