Silver Assault must answer distance question in Gold Rush

It’s five months from the first Saturday in December to the first Saturday in May, and the $75,000 Gold Rush at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday will provide a hint about where eight 2-year-olds may be come Kentucky Derby time.

Will any of them be in Kentucky? Will some be running in allowance races or stakes races? Or will some be competing in the claiming ranks?

Saturday’s result in the one-mile Tapeta race may provide some clues.

The field includes two runners who have placed in stakes, but seven of the eight have only a maiden victory, and two of those graduated in high-priced Southern California claiming races.

The two stakes-placed runners – Silver Assault and Aqua Frio – met Nov. 12 in the Golden Nugget at six furlongs here. Silver Assault ran second to Right Hand Man, and Aqua Frio ran third.

After winning his debut, Silver Assault ran third in the Santa Anita Juvenile and the Speakeasy at Santa Anita before his runner-up effort in the Golden Nugget. He’s making his route debut in the Gold Rush.

Aqua Frio began his career with a pair of seconds in Santa Anita maiden races and then ran second in the Cavonnier Juvenile at Santa Rosa. He graduated at one mile on the turf in his fourth start before running second in the Oak Tree Juvenile, going one mile and 70 yards, at Pleasanton.

He then defeated Saturday opponent Manila Mischief in a six-furlong optional claimer here before his even third in the Golden Nugget.

Gold Rush entrants Colonel Samsen, More Power to Him, and Vibe graduated in routes.

Gold Rush Stakes (race 7)

Key Contenders

Silver Assault, by Maclean’s Music

Last 3 Beyers: 70-72-69

◗ This is his first start around two turns.

◗ He’s lost only to stakes winners California Diamond, Right Hand Man, and Green With Eddie.

◗ His sire never went two turns, having won his only start by 7 1/4 lengths in 1:07.44 for six furlongs. His unraced dam produced Holy Candy, who placed in a Grade 3 route stakes.

Aqua Frio, by Uncle Mo

Last 3 Beyers: 68-69-64

◗ He’s never finished off the board in seven starts. He has a win and a second in his two tries around two turns.

More Power to Him, by Slew’s Tiznow

Last 3 Beyers: 70-47-70

◗ He just graduated at 1 1/16 miles in his third start and his first going two turns.

◗ He may be the value play in the field.