Trainer Profile: Craig Dollase

In the years that followed, Dollase has, like his father, become a fixture on the Southern California circuit. No longer does he stand in the shadow of his father. Victories with horses such as Reraise have led to other major achievements for him around the country. His best include Swept Overboard, who won the Grade 1 Ancient Title and Grade 1 Met Mile; Elloluv, who won the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet and Grade 1 Ashland; Rare Charmer; Accomplice; El Cielo; Road to Slew; Futural; Momentum; Saint Afleet; Abby Girl; and Saint's Honor.

Dollase's reliability and consistency has become a hallmark and made him a favorite among horseplayers who bet on Southern California races.

Dollase began working with his father as a groom in his teens, working his way up to assistant by his early 20's. He took out his license in July 1995, but remained with his father. The first horse he sent out on his own, however, on Dec. 23, 1995, was Brush Storm, who won by six lengths at Hollywood Park.

Dollase went out on his own two years later, when the elder Dollase signed on to be the private trainer for The Thoroughbred Corporation.

Solid numbers in many categories have helped make Craig Dollase popular among horseplayers.

He's a 16-percent winner on dirt, 18 percent on turf. He's 16 percent in sprints, 17 percent in routes. It's the same in terms of class: 20 percent maiden claiming, 18 percent straight maiden, 18 percent claiming, and 17 percent allowance.

He's also shown the ability to adapt and make the proper change. He's 2 for his last 8 (25 percent) when removing blinkers. He's 19 percent going sprint to route, 16 percent going route to sprint. He's also a strong 24 percent when he moves a horse from dirt to turf. The sample is small, but he's shown he knows when to add Lasix - he's 2 for his last 3 (67 percent) with that move.

There is one anomaly that sticks out. The move from straight maiden to maiden claiming is widely considered one of the most significant class moves in the game, and many a trainer has strong numbers with such a move. Oddly, it's the opposite for Dollase - he's 0 for his last 9 making that move.

Dollase will again try to grab the spotlight on racing's biggest day. He sends out potential Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies favorite Cash Included after she looked great winning the Grade 2 Oak Leaf at Oak Tree at Santa Anita a few weeks ago.

It's no surprise much of his family is rooted in racing. His sister, Aimee, is a licensed trainer, and his wife, Nancy, is the daughter of the late trainer Sal Carbajal.