Pleasanton: Sherman Bartlebort wires field in Everett Nevin Futurity

PLEASANTON, Calif. – Rapidly improving Sherman Bartlebort broke sharply from the rail and was never headed as he scored an easy victory in the $62,010 Everett Nevin Alameda County Futurity on Saturday at the Alameda County Fair.

Sherman Bartlebort, a gelding by Tannersmyman, ran second in his debut and graduated in his second start. On Saturday, he took the lead immediately in the 5½-furlong stakes race for 2-year-olds. He was a length in front of Sold Short, who defeated him in his debut, Yard Bully, and Gael Mania, who were trying to keep up, while running a 21.75-second opening quarter.

Even-money favorite Galax and Yard Bully were 1½ lengths behind Sherman Bartlebort at the quarter pole, when he put on an explosive burst to build his lead to four lengths.

Sherman Bartlebort ($9.80), a $6,500 yearling purchase, defeated Galax by 2¼ lengths while winning in 1:03.31. Galax edged Mighty Monsoon by a nose for second.

“I just wanted to start to go and see how it worked out,” said winning jockey Francisco Duran. “He was very comfortable on the lead, which made it very easy to finish.

“I heard them coming the last sixteenth, but I knew I had a lot left in the tank.”

Owned by James Eaton, Peter Finch, trainer R.B. Hess, and David Perea, Sherman Bartlebort earned $40,850 to increase his bankroll to $69,970.