'Trevor' tries to start new streak
PLEASANTON, Calif. - Seven stakes winners are in the field of eight in Saturday's $50,0000 Sam J. Whiting Handicap at the Alameda County Fair.
The six-furlong sprint traditionally attracts a strong field, and Saturday's renewal is no exception.
Grade 1 winner makes his comeback after a year on the sidelines, but he will be one of the longest shots on the board.
won last year's edition after a three-month layoff, and he returns off a similar freshener with a series of bullet drills to suggest he's ready.
The ones to beat could be Trickey Trevor and Bonfante, both of whom topped the 100 Beyer level with stakes wins in their last northern California start.
earned three straight 100-plus Beyers, culminating with a two-length victory in the San Carlos Handicap at Bay Meadows on March 26. He then went to Churchill Downs and set a very fast pace in the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Handicap on Kentucky Derby Day, finishing seventh.
Trickey Trevor had won six straight races before going to Churchill.
Bonfante comes off a career best, winning the Ken Maddy Sprint for Cal-breds at Golden Gate Fields on May 28.
"I'm just trying to keep him healthy and happy," said trainer Steve Specht.
Bonfante missed one work when he grabbed a quarter. He came back with a work on July 1 that Specht believes was faster than the listed 1:01.80.
Bonfante figures to sit just behind the leaders. "Not being too far back is important here," Specht said. "I wouldn't be surprised to see him third or fourth early."
Flying Supercon, My Captain, R. Baggio, and Kool Suggestion round out the field.
* Bettors wagered an average of $4.6 million a day on the 29-day Golden Gate Fields spring meeting, which ended June 19. Total handle from all sources came to $134,409,661.
Ontrack wagering at the Albany, Calif., track averaged $714,788 a day, and out-of-state betting averaged $1.9 million. Attendance averaged 2,956.
Because of changes to the northern California racing schedule, it is difficult to compare figures from the 2005 Golden Gate spring meet with those during the same period last year.