Super claim Trojan Clubhouse goes for eighth straight win
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For an $8,000 claim nearly two years ago, Trojan Clubhouse has taken trainer Reid France and his family on quite an adventure.
Trojan Clubhouse has won seven consecutive starts since January 2022 at Golden Gate Fields and will be favored to extend the streak in an allowance race at a mile in Saturday’s fifth race.
The 5-year-old California-bred mare will be easy to find early. She is expected to set the pace, a running style utilized throughout the streak.
“We’ll try to give her a good warmup,” France said on Friday. “She can jump on the bit and push herself to the front.”
Owned by France and his sister Shauna, who races as GOAT Racing Stable, Trojan Clubhouse is part of a field of six. The winning streak includes a $12,500 claimer for non-winners of two, three starter allowances and three allowance races.
Reid France said Trojan Clubhouse’s second win of the streak, in a starter allowance at a mile in February 2022, provided notice that the mare was on the upswing.
“I thought she’d be okay,” he said. “I thought based on numbers and her form she could win a couple of races. I certainly didn’t see her having the kind off success she’s had.
“It’s been a bit of a surprise.”
Trojan Clubhouse has won 8 of 13 starts and earned $136,590. She has won $135,460 since being claimed by France in April 2021 in her second start. She won a $5,000 claimer for maidens in her third start for France in December 2021, and finished third in her debut against winners in January 2022 before the winning streak began.
In Saturday’s race, Trojan Clubhouse starts from post 5. She could face early pressure from Madeira Wine, who won an optional claimer from the front on Jan. 7, but failed to make the lead in a similar race on Jan. 27 and was never a factor.
Reid France said Trojan Clubhouse may be able to handle an early challenge.
“She did get pressed a little bit last time and I thought she responded well,” he said. “It gives me a little hope she can rate a little bit.
“Obviously, it’s a tough race and she’ll need to put in a good effort. We’re hopeful that with what she’s shown before she’ll run well. You keep your fingers crossed.”
Trojan Clubhouse will be ridden by Evin Roman, who was aboard the mare for the fifth win of the streak in an allowance race last May. Assael Espinoza has ridden Trojan Clubhouse in her last two wins but is riding Signorina Merisi, another leading candidate. Tiz an Edventure, the mount of Frank Alvarado, is a danger from off the pace.
Through Thursday, Espinoza led all riders at the Golden Gate Fields winter-spring meeting with 44 wins, 14 more than Alexander Chavez and Armando Ayuso who are tied for second.
Espinoza and Chavez are not riding on Sunday. Espinoza is serving a one-day suspension for excessive use of the whip in a race on March 11. Chavez begins a five-day suspension on Sunday for causing interference in a race on March 11. Chavez’s suspension runs through March 31.
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