Toomuchisnotenough tries to claim second straight stakes win in Bear Fan

When looking at the possibilities for claim of the year in Northern California, Toomuchisnotenough could top the list,especially if she can win the $75,000 Bear Fan on Sunday at Golden Gate Fields.

The Bear Fan (race 7), a six-furlong race for California-bred fillies and mares, attracted a field of seven.

The 5-year-old Toomuchisnotenough was claimed for $25,000 by trainer Jack Steiner for owners Dan O’Neill and Randy Mariott on Feb. 21 in her first start in 371 days. She ran second in the Camilla Urso in her first start off the claim before winning three straight, including the California Governor’s Cup at Sacramento in her most recent race.

Spending a year on the sidelines and dropping into a claimer is not a big selling point for a runner. But Steiner and the owners decided that Toomuchisnotenough was worth the risk.

“We had to go on a gut feeling,” said Steiner. “We claimed her sight unseen.”

Steiner said he “never did ask” former trainer Billy Morey about the reason for the layoff and added, “I’ve never had a problem with her.”

Steiner is not ashamed to admit that there was luck involved in the claim, but as the late baseball executive Branch Rickey once pointed out, “Luck is the residue of design.”

“We pay attention to detail,” said Steiner. “She’s a good horse, and we have to make the right decision where to run. Her best race was the one at Sacramento, but there was nothing coming up after that, so we just backed off her.”

Toomuchisnotenough has worked 10 times since September, and Steiner passed on a Nov. 12 prep race won by Sunday’s rival Fast and Foxy because she was training so well.

Bear Fan, Race 7

Key Contenders

Toomuchisnotenough, by Trapper

Last 3 Beyers: 88-84-79

◗ She loves Golden Gate Fields. In 13 starts at the track, she has a 7-2-1 record.

◗ A stalker, she will have a good pace to run at here with the speedy Fast and Foxy and Plane Lucky in the field.

Fast and Foxy, by Thisnearlywasmine

Last 3 Beyers: 82-63-79

◗ Speedster looked good in a front-running win last month in her first start since May. The comeback race should have her geared up for another strong effort, but beware: Her barn is 0 for 12 the past two years in the second start off similar layoffs.

◗ She also has a superb record at Golden Gate of 11-5-6 in 29 starts.

Desert Steel, by Desert Code

Last 3 Beyers: 90-86-87

◗ Turf specialist based at Santa Anita makes her first start at Golden Gate and her first going six furlongs. Most of her races have been at five furlongs or at 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill at Santa Anita.

◗ She won the only time she raced on a synthetic surface, on Polytrack at Del Mar in 2014.

◗ She finished second behind Enola Gray in the California Distaff Handicap coming down the hill at Santa Anita in her most recent start.