Richard’s Boy ready to rebound in Golden Bear

Southern California-based trainer Peter Miller sends the stakes winner Richard’s Boy north to the California State Fair in Sacramento to run in Saturday’s $50,000-added Golden Bear for 3-year-olds.

Richard’s Boy is coming off the worst race of his career, having finished last after setting the pace in the $200,000 Snow Chief at Santa Anita. But that race was at 1 1/8 miles on turf, and the Golden Bear is at six furlongs on the main track. Richard’s Boy has four wins sprinting, including a score in the $92,000 Desert Code on Santa Anita’s downhill turf course. He also finished third in the $200,000 Echo Eddie on the main track there.

His primary rivals Saturday are My Friend Emma, who held on to win a maiden race at Pleasanton in his second start, and Mr. Jay D, a private purchase by Jerry Hollendorfer who was an odds-on winner in his Golden Gate Fields debut.

Rounding out the field are Krsto Skye, Holdthismiss, and El Huerfano.

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GOLDEN BEAR (Race 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Richard’s Boy (Last 3 Beyers: 32-83-86)

◗ Speedster sat back early for the first time in winning the Desert Code, but he is plenty quick enough to take the lead in this race.

◗ He’s earned $188,000, more than the rest of the field combined.

◗ Since his last start, he has some five-furlong works and a strong six-furlong drill, and he looms the one to beat under the hot-riding Ricardo Gonzalez.

My Friend Emma (Beyers: 83-69)

◗ The runner-up in his debut, he opened a big lead in start No. 2 at his home track of Pleasanton. He raced a bit greenly in the lane but held gamely in a fast race. He has a five-furlong bullet work since then.

◗ He’ll have to finish better here in his third start to be a legitimate contender.

Mr. Jay D (Last 3 Beyers: 74-86-79)

◗ He made his first two starts at Tampa Bay Downs, won his first start for Hollendorfer in a Santa Anita starter allowance, and then beat allowance foes at Golden Gate. He was no factor in a tough Santa Anita allowance field last time.