Top trainer saddling 3 of the 6
ALBANY, Calif. - It's not unusual for northern California's leading trainer Jerry Hollendorfer to dominate a race.
He sends out half of the six-horse field in Saturday's Grade 3, $150,000 Golden Gate Fields Handicap, and each of the three runners have a legitimate shot to win. Each can handle the main track as well as, if not better than, turf, the surface on which the race is scheduled. There is a chance the race will come off the turf. Hollendorfer's three rivals, all coming north for the race, seem to have superior turf form.
, owned by Hollendorfer, looms the likely favorite in the 1 1/8-mile race, coming off a victory in the San Quentin on the main track here on March 4.
Adreamisborn, a multiple graded-stakes winner, figures to be sitting well off the pace, but his strong finishes make him awfully tough.
and Symphony Sid are owned by Sid and Jenny Craig.
also has shown speed.
If the race stays on the turf - because of bad weather only one race has been run during the meeting on grass - the course is likely to be yielding or soft. Symphony Sid has the ability to run well on softer courses, having won on a yielding course and a good course.
"Any time you have a fast horse, you have a chance to win," Hollendorfer said. "Symphony Sid is a fast horse and should be able to get position early."
Of Hollendorfer's three entrants, Ace Blue might be the one that would benefit most by a switch to the main track.
The winner of the Grade 2 Mervyn LeRoy last year at Hollywood Park, Ace Blue has started once on the turf. Ace Blue will take a stalking position.
"The Craigs want to see him run on the turf," Hollendorfer said. "They're looking at the $400,000 San Francisco Breeders' Cup Mile, and want to see if he handles the turf well."
For Hollendorfer, the fact the running styles of his three entrants are all different eases any concern about running two for the Craigs and one in his name.
"I don't like to see two horses with the same style hooked up, but each one of these has his own style," he said.
Capitano, who won the Rolling Green on this course last year, comes in off a win in the Turf Paradise Handicap. He will sit back with Adreamisborn early. Like the Hollendorfer runners, Capitano won't be adversely affected by a switch to the dirt. Cosmonaut rounds out the field.