Streamside in peak form coming into Oakland Stakes

It’s safe to say that Streamside holds a special place in trainer Sergio Ledezma’s heart. “He was my first stakes winner,” Ledezma said.

If the 5-year-old gelded son of E Dubai can win Saturday’s $50,000-added Oakland Stakes at six furlongs at Golden Gate Fields, it also will be safe to say that he is Northern California’s best sprinter.

After a disappointing sixth-place finish against allowance rivals May 4, Streamside has won four straight, including the $75,560 Oak Tree Sprint at Pleasanton, while earning Beyer Speed Figures in the 90s each time.

“He just came around,” said Ledezma, whose patient handling allowed that maturation process to take place. The gelding is still fast but doesn’t need the lead to win and actually sat nicely off a hot pace before pulling away last time.

If Streamside can win his fifth straight, there should be no arguments that he is Northern California’s top sprinter.

While he’s a logical favorite with his current winning streak and eight wins in 16 starts over the track, he’s meeting eight interesting rivals. A Toast to You, who ran third in the Albany Stakes on the turf here in June, is making his debut on Golden Gate’s Tapeta main track.

Each of Streamside’s seven other rivals is a multiple winner over the surface, including the stakes winner Life Is a Joy, making his first start here since beginning his career with two straight wins last year; the stakes winner Ourwestcoastghost, who won that May 4 race; and Outside Nashville, a stakes winner here at 2.

KEY CONTENDERS

Streamside (Last 3 Beyers: 96-93-91)

◗ He’s sharp and at the top of his game. This speedster even showed a new style, sitting off the pace last time out before clearing in the stretch while coming off an eight-week layoff.

Marino’s Wild Cat (Last 3 Beyers: 98-84-86)

◗ This speedball dominated on the lead, pulling clear after being pressed early in the six-furlong, $100,250 Harris Farm Stakes at Fresno, where he earned a 98 Beyer. His rail draw makes the strategy obvious, as he’ll gun for the lead in attempting to win for the fourth time in seven starts here. Rider Silvio Ruiz is 4 for 4 on him and has never been headed.

Mandala (Last 3 Beyers: 90-90-82)

◗ This likely value play guns for his third straight win as he makes his stakes debut. He’s willing to sit off the pace, and though he’s likely to be farther back than usual given the speed in this field, his closing kick could prove very effective. He’ll be severely tested as each of his rivals is at least stakes-placed, and seven are stakes winners.