Pepper Crown goes for local title in Berkeley
For the past two years, a major November stakes at Golden Gate Fields has seen the coronation of Northern California’s top handicap horse.
In 2012, Hudson Landing won the San Francisco Mile earlier in the year and clinched the local handicap crown by winning the All American in November. Last year, Summer Hit won the All American – which had been moved to Memorial Day – and locked up the title by winning the Berkeley in November.
Sunday’s running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Berkeley could result in another coronation if Pepper Crown wins the 1 1/16-mile main-track race. He scored a $94.20 upset over Summer Hit in the San Francisco Mile and also won the Rolling Green, both on the Golden Gate turf.
Also in Sunday’s field of nine are Stryker Phd, fifth in this race last year but a winner of three straight stakes at Emerald Downs over the summer, including the Grade 3 Longacres Mile; Baccelo, a South American Grade 1 winner; and European Group 3 winner Polytechnicien.
KEY CONTENDERS
PEPPER CROWN (Last 3 Beyers: 85-75-89)
◗ Although he scored back-to-back allowance victories on the main track in February, he is much better on turf.
STRYKER PHD (Last 3 Beyers: 93-97-91)
◗ Since moving to Larry Ross’s barn this year, he’s improved. He ran second in the Budweiser, Mt. Rainier, and Longacres Mile last year. This year, he won all three with his late-charging style.
◗ He ran second in the Big Bear Stakes at Santa Anita following a nine-week layoff in his last start.
◗ He has a deep-closing style.
MARINO’S WILD CAT (Last 3 Beyers: 92-98-84)
◗ He is coming off a sprint-stakes victory at Fresno and a runner-up effort in a Golden Gate sprint stakes.
◗ This is his first try around two turns, and his sire, Marino Marini, was basically a sprinter.
◗ The presence of the speedy Bob Baffert-trained Everton could compromise his chances up front.
POLYTECHNICIEN (Past 3 Beyers: 88-87-87)
◗ The 8-year-old has won all three of his races since moving north to trainer Gil Matos. He won for $25,000 here in August, for $40,000 at Santa Anita in October, and an optional-claiming race here in November, all on turf.
◗ Matos said Polytechnicien is happy, healthy, and sound.