Showdown in claiming feature

ALBANY, Calif. - A pair of 2-year-old fillies, both on winning streaks, meet in a rematch in Friday's Golden Gate Fields feature.

The six-furlong race is only a $10,000 claimer, but it will match Gottahavemilk, who has won two straight by five and six lengths, against Kleven's Alibi, who has won three straight. Her first victory in the streak was by four lengths over Gottahavemilk.

Eight other fillies are entered, but only recent maiden winner Filly's Gone Wild seems to have much chance against the top pair. Gottahavemilk has won 3 of 9 starts with a second and third. Kleven's Alibi is 4 for 8 with a pair of seconds and a third.

Kleven's Alibi, claimed for $12,500 two starts back by trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, won her debut for Hollendorfer for a $16,000 claiming price. Although she has earned a check in each career start and has a Beyer Speed Figure advantage over her rivals, there are questions coming into Friday's race.

First, there is the question why she is dropping off a strong effort. Then there is concern about no listed workouts showing since her Nov. 18 victory. The lack of works is unusual for Hollendorfer, who is known for working his horses regularly.

On paper, Kleven's Alibi is the one to beat, but the odds may make Gottahavemilk a better bet.

She won her last two starts going wire-to-wire and seems the likely pacesetter here. She drops a notch here for trainer Steve Miyadi, who has shown great success with 2-year-olds and is adept at keeping his runners sharp. She shows a maintenance drill since her Dec. 1 victory here.

Six 2-year-old colts go one mile in the companion feature.

Seriousely Enough, who ran second in his first start against winners off a two-month layoff, looms the one to beat. Sky Guy, one of four horses to go down in a nasty spill in his last start, and Best Knight Ever, thrown way over his head in his last start, should provide the primary competition.

* Saturday's $50,000 Gold Rush Stakes looks as if it may attract six entrants: recent maiden winner Booming Along; Chinese Checkers, who has won two straight sprints; allowance winner Danny Dingle; stakes-placed Dino Camino and Dover Dere; and Krovitz, runner-up to Danny Dingle in his last start. The Gold Rush is at a mile for 2-year-olds.