Santa Rosa: Ain't No Other has edge in Jess Jackson Owners Handicap

Ain’t No Other could have an advantage as eight sprinters compete in the $50,000-added Jess Jackson Owners Handicap at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa on Saturday.

The five-furlong turf stakes, run as the 10th race, is different than most stakes because owners and trainers name their horses’s weight for the race – which is the lowest weight their rider could make.

Steve Miyadi named Juan Hernandez aboard the 3-year-old multiple stakes winner Ain’t No Other, who gets in with only 110 pounds. Hernandez is 4 for 4 with Ain’t No Other, a Tommy Town Thoroughbreds gelding who won the Harry Henson on the turf at Hollywood Park and the Livermore Valley Wines at Pleasanton in his last start.

Ain’t No Other carried 123 pounds in the Livermore Valley Wines against fellow 3-year-olds. The Jess Jackson is his first start against older.

Jeff Bonde sends out Sierra Spirit at 116 pounds with Frank Alvarado to ride. Sierra Spirit is carrying four pounds less than he did in his last race, a 5 1/2-length victory in an optional claiming sprint at Plesanton. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 100 in that race, the fastest 3-year-old sprint at the Pleasanton meeting.

“I don’t believe weight makes that much difference,” said Bonde.

Sierra Spirit, by In Excess, makes his turf debut.

Six of the eight runners had the lead at the first call in their last start, and a seventh was on the lead two back.

Ain’t No Other drew post 3, with the Steve Sherman-trained duo of Jim’s No Preacher and Goggles McCoy drawn inside him.

Jim’s No Preacher, a 3-year-old who has won all three of his starts, makes his first start since Jan. 29. He will give eight pounds to Ain’t No Other and will get Russell Baze in the saddle.

Goggles McCoy, who began his career last year with four straight wire-to-wire victories, will carry 114 with Abel Cedello.

Sherman isn’t sure what to expect from either runner, neither of whom has run on turf.

“I don’t have high expectations,” he said.

He will use the race as a measuring stick for Jim’s No Preacher and will try new tactics with Goggles McCoy.

“We’re going to try something new, take him off the pace and see if he’ll pass horses,” Sherman said. “He’s been doing it in the morning.”

In the companion feature, which goes as the third race on the card, undefeated stakes winner City Route goes for her fourth straight victory in the $50,000-added Wine Country Debutante.

Only four other 2-year-old fillies signed up for the six-furlong race.