Tivan has the hot trainer in his corner for Gold Rush Stakes

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is on a stakes roll.

His trainees Flying Scotsman and Battle of Midway won graded stakes Sunday at Del Mar, and his undefeated Tivan could be poised to keep the stakes victories coming in Saturday’s $75,000 Gold Rush at Golden Gate Fields.

The one-mile race for 2-year-olds is the next step on the trail to the California Derby and Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate and, after that, who knows where.

Tivan is a perfect 2 for 2 in his career, having won his 5 1/2-furlong debut Oct. 21 at Golden Gate Fields at $33.80 and the Golden Nugget at six furlongs on Nov. 10.

The Gold Rush is another step in the progression of Tivan, a KMN Racing homebred, as he makes his debut around two turns. He ran professionally in his two starts, sitting back early and finishing strongly.

“We always liked him, although he never worked that fast,” Hollendorfer said. “He’s got a good turn of foot turning for home.”

That turn of foot in the stretch suggests that running two turns should present no problems for Tivan.

Rally Cat might be Tivan’s most talented rival. He finished second at Emerald Downs in his debut and was a front-running maiden winner Nov. 4 at Golden Gate. Three in the field – Mad Luther, The Creep, and Mayor Cobb – have won at Saturday’s one-mile distance, and Rey Coliman was second at a mile on the Golden Gate turf. Spin Lightning finished fifth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, won by presumed juvenile champion Game Winner.

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KEY CONTENDERS

$75,000 Gold Rush Stakes (7th race)

Tivan, by Indian Evening

Beyers: 74-63

◗ Although his sire and dam both won stakes at 2, they were primarily sprinters.

◗ He’s had two maintenance drills in the three weeks since his last race.

Rally Cat, by Take Charge Indy

Beyers: 68-61

◗ Probably the one to catch in his route debut.

◗ His sire was a Grade 1 winner going 1 1/8 miles.

◗ He had two months off between his first and second races and might have gained fitness in the maiden win.

Spin Lightning, by Hard Spun

Beyers: 64-63-66

◗ He comes off a fifth in the Zuma Beach on the turf Oct. 8 at Santa Anita and has worked six times since.

◗ His sire was the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic.