Runaway Ghost leads flagfall to finish in Golden Nugget Stakes
Odds-on favorite Runaway Ghost had no trouble getting the lead and was never challenged as he romped in the $55,675 Golden Nugget at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.
Jockey Aaron Gryder let Runaway Ghost roll to the lead on his own in the six-furlong race for 2-year-olds. He had a half-length lead through a 22.54-second opening quarter, led by 3 1/2 lengths after a 44.98 half mile, by six at the eighth pole, and by 7 1/2 at the wire. Runaway Ghost covered the six furlongs in 1:09.71 and paid $3.80 to win.
By Ghostzapper, Runaway Ghost was making his first start since breaking his maiden on June 10 at Santa Anita. The Joe Peacock homebred had a five-furlong gate bullet and six-furlong bullet in his final two works before the race for trainer Michael Machowsky.
La Waun was second at each call and under the wire, but was disqualified for drifting in down the backstretch, causing Soul of Discretion and second choice Intimidate to steady badly and fall out of the race.
Generally Lucky was moved up to second and Go Bobby Go to third in a race where there was little change in position.
Runaway Ghost earned $30,350 for his second victory and now has earnings of $73,550.