Talverna captures Piedmont Stakes

ALBANY, Calif. - Talverna ($7.40), co-favored with Global Treaty, got a dream stalking trip behind a hot pace, opened in the lane and held off Seam Seeker late to win the $57,125 Piedmont Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday.

Global Treaty, Dancin Olivia and Lake Como battled three across the track, going the first quarter in 21.35 seconds. Global Treaty began to edge clear through a 44.53 half-mile.

But Talverna was gearing up with a four-wide move and wore down Global Treaty entering the lane. She began to open on Global Treaty as Seam Seeker moved off the rail for a clear path. She finished strongly, but Talverna won the six-furlong race by a head in 1:10.18. Aloha Mangos Kitty was third, another 1+ lengths (one one-quarter) back.

"I had a great trip. It unfolded like we talked about in the paddock. When I asked she gave it to me. You don't like to be that wide, but you don't want to get stopped when you've got momentum," winning jockey Chad Schvaneveldt said.

"This filly was still eligible for the first (allowance) condition, but she's been running well. We tried her in a route (the Carmel Handicap) last time, and the first two from that race ran one-two in Cal Cup," winning trainer Art Sherman said.

A homebred for Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss, Talverna, who was third in the Carmel, earned $28,250 and now has career earnings of $59,688 with three wins in five starts.