Sacramento: Sister Kate scores for Hollendorfer in California Governor's Cup

Sister Kate, one of four Jerry Hollendorfer-trained runners in a field of five fillies and mares, took the lead shortly after the break and was never headed in the $75,250 California Governor’s Cup Handicap on Saturday at the California State Fair in Sacramento.

Ruby Pumps, the lone non-Hollendorfer runner in the race, broke sharply and took the early lead, but Sister Kate ($8.40), under William Angongeorgi III, moved to the front before going past the finish line the first time in the 1 1/16-mile race.

She was 1 1/2 lengths in front after a 23.56-second opening quarter and was cruising easily, leading by one-half length through a 48.03 opening half. Sister Kate, who was caught by Ruby Pumps in a turf race in their previous start, ran a strong 23.94 third quarter to take command of the race and continued to stretch her margin, winning by 3 3/4 lengths in 1:42.53.

Favored stablemate Via Villaggio was second 1 3/4 lengths in front of Ruby Pumps, who held on by a nose to be third in her stakes debut. It was the first dirt race for Ruby Pumps, who had finished either first or second in her first 10 career starts.

Sister Kate, a Cal-bred Benchmark mare owned by her breeder Mary H. Caldwell, earned $45,050 for her second career stakes victory. She won the Santa Lucia at Santa Anita in April. Her career earnings are now $257,686 with 6 victories in 17 starts.