Retama Park track report

Counterfeit Gold and Hosanna Hit will head the large fields expected Saturday night for two of Retama Park's richest stakes, the $100,000 El Joven and the $100,000 La Senorita. The races are for 2-year-olds at one mile on turf, with the El Joven for colts and geldings and the La Senorita for fillies. The races will be part of the second richest card of the meet, behind Texas Hall of Fame Day on Oct. 1.

Counterfeit Gold, who won the $50,000 Prairie Gold Juvenile at Prairie Meadows on July 3, has shipped to Retama for the El Joven. He will be making his turf debut in the race, but has worked on the grass for his trainer, Willie Padilla.

As of Wednesday morning, Counterfeit Gold was one of eight considered firm for the El Joven; several others are under consideration for the race, said Kelly Cathey, stakes coordinator for Retama. Others considered probable, according to Cathey, include Sheri's Rubiano, winner of the allowance prep for the El Joven for trainer Paul Murphy; C Jake, who won his maiden over eventual multiple stakes winner Premier Dance; Western Runaway, an impressive maiden winner at Lone Star Park who was shipping in to Retama on Wednesday for trainer Amos Laborde; and maiden winners Mad Money, Lertxundi, Desert Wheat, and Wave the Tax.

Almost Certain and Guacamole are possible.

Hosanna Hit, winner of the $70,000 Silver Spur Breeders' Cup for trainer C.R. Trout in her last start July 16, was expected to ship from her Remington Park base to Retama for the La Senorita on Thursday, said Cathey. Also due in Thursday was the Remington-based Sauternes, who is stakes placed for trainer Bret Calhoun.

Others considered probable are Jb's Golden Regret, who is stakes placed; Alotofability and Ana Taylor, both trained by Jim Hudson; Cancel the Wedding and Devil and Angel, both trained by Tommie Morgan; Lady Cosmo, an impressive turf winner for leading trainer John Locke; and Alliepop, who is trained by Steve Asmussen.

One other possible starter is Gold Beacon, winner of the Manor Downs Thoroughbred Futurity.