One more chance on a track they love

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Roger Hansen and Billy Morey may be the happiest trainers at Bay Meadows on closing day Sunday.

It's not that they're happy that racing begins Wednesday on the new Tapeta surface at Golden Gate Fields. They're happy because each sends out two runners for one last shot over the Bay Meadows main track in a six-furlong $50,000 optional claimer.

Hansen sends out the entry of Tribesman and Restless Youth. Morey sends out Thoughtuknew and Only One Way. The stakes-placed 3-year-old Candy's Bro and Real Temptation round out the field.

"I'm happy the race filled," Morey said. "It's perfect timing."

Thoughtuknew made his second start off an 11-month layoff here on Oct. 12, winning by a nose under conditions similar to Sunday's race while recording a 93 Beyer Speed Figure. The horse he beat by a nose that day was stablemate Only One Way, and the Hansen-trained Restless Youth ran third.

Tribesman steps up to the second allowance level after a three-length victory in an Oct. 6 first-level allowance race.

Both Morey entrants have run well at Bay Meadows. Thoughtuknew has 3 wins and 1 second in 4 starts here. Only One Way has run fourth and second in his two starts here since Morey claimed him Aug. 10 at Del Mar.

Tribesman and Restless Youth also like the Bay Meadows main track. Tribesman is 2 for 3 here with his two highest Beyers. Restless Youth has run third in each of his three starts here.

"I'm glad to be running here," Hansen said. "Horses don't all like it here, but these two do. You don't know what will happen once they get to Golden Gate, although they all seem to like it thus far."

Candy's Bro and Real Temptation don't mind Bay Meadows either. Real Temptation has 2 wins in 4 starts here, while Candy's Bro is 1 for 2.

Thoughtuknew set sizzling fractions last time and will be the one to catch, drawn outside principal speed rivals Tribesman and Candy's Bro. Only One Way and Restless Youth are stalkers who could benefit from a pace duel, while Real Temptation will likely be last down the backstretch.

Thoughtuknew will be making his third start off a layoff, often a horse's best effort, although Morey doesn't think it will make much difference.

"On a lot of horses, I'd say yes, but this horse ran his race last time," Morey said. "I think he was as tight as he'll be today. I just hope he repeats."