Seinne wins Tanforan

ALBANY, Calif. - Seinne ($7) dropped over to the rail to get a ground-saving trip, then made a bold move outside to get clear in the stretch as he roared to victory in the $100,000 Tanforan Handicap at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

"What a sweet horse to ride. He's so professional it's unbelievable," said winning rider Ron Warren Jr. after the 1 1/4-length victory over favored Sligo Bay in the 1 1/16-mile turf race. Winning time was 1:42.00, the fastest of the year over the course.

Surprise Halo, breaking from the rail, took the lead with Cappucino Kid just outside him in second. Seinne was last early but was always within striking distance.

Seinne began to move up on the second turn and had too much momentum for Sligo Bay, who was stuck along the rail behind Surprise Halo. After getting past the temporary rail blocking the chute, Sligo Bay moved inside Surprise Halo but was no match for the winner.

"I was told to save as much ground as possible and keep him covered up," Warren said. "I just pointed him to a little gap. He got there quicker than I wanted so I had to steer him out even further."

Sligo Bay's rider Frank Alvarado said, "I was inside all the way with no place to go."

Sligo Bay's trainer Beau Greely wasn't too disappointed after his horse's two-race win streak was snapped.

"This really isn't his distance, but he closed well. This was a good race," said Greely, who plans to run Sligo Bay in the Santa Anita Handicap on March 1.

The victory was the seventh in 23 starts for Seinne, who earned $55,000 to lift his career earnings to $420,033 for owner Nelson Bunker Hunt.