Sueno scores in Gold Rush

Sueno ($14), whose first two starts had come in high-priced Southern California maiden claimers, pulled away in the lane to win his stakes debut in the $75,900 Gold Rush on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.

The Atreides colt was a well-beaten third in his debut at Del Mar on Aug. 15 when running for a $62,500 claiming tag before scoring by 4 3/4 lengths for an $80,000 tag in his second start on Aug. 31. He had trained steadily for the Gold Rush, which was his third start, including a pair of six-furlong works.

He got a good trip under Abel Cedillo sitting in midpack early in the field of nine 2-year-olds as Mad Luther was rushed to the lead from the rail.

He was in good position, three wide as he edged up down the backstretch, as Mad Luther maintained the lead a length in front of favored Tivan through at 47.22-second half-mile.

Mad Luther began to tire and Tivan took the lead at the quarter pole, but Sueno was moving strongly outside the favorite as the field rounded the turn and headed into the stretch.

Sueno pushed past Tivan as they straightened for home, opened a one-length lead at the eighth pole, and was never seriously challenged through the lane.

The Creep, third early but shuffled back on the second turn, found new life and tried to challenge through the lane but wound up second, beaten 1 1/2 lengths behind Sueno, who clocked 1:38.28 in winning the mile race. Mayor Cobb, a stablemate of Mad Luther, rallied for third, hanging a bit late as he finished a half-length behind The Creep.

Tivan was fourth, another two lengths back, with Mad Luther last after being eased.

Owned by Silverton Hill LLC and trained by Keith Desormeaux, Sueno, a $61,000 September Keeneland purchase, earned $45,000 to increase his earnings to $70,440.