Tribesman, Sierra Sunset looking to fairs

The upcoming Alameda County Fair at Pleasanton will benefit from the comebacks of a pair of stakes winners last week. The Pleasanton meet opens July 1. It is the second meet on the California fair circuit, following Stockton, which opens next Thursday, June 18.

Trainer Roger Hansen brought ace sprinter Tribesman back to the races after an eight-month vacation with a victory in a six-furlong allowance race at Golden Gate Fields last Friday, and said the six-furlong Sam Whiting Handicap on July 18 at Pleasanton would be the horse's next likely start.

Trainer Jeff Bonde said that Sierra Sunset, ninth in Saturday's Grade 3 Ack Ack at Hollywood Park in his first start since March 15, 2008, would now be pointed to the Alamedan Handicap on July 5.

Hansen couldn't have been happier with Tribesman's easy victory. He set what for him were tepid fractions of 22.70, 45.79, and 57.54, and finished in 11.91, beating Pocosin's Game Boy by 1 1/2 lengths.

A Kjell Qvale homebred, Tribesman earned a 94 Beyer for the race, his 5-year-old debut.

"We sure were happy," Hansen said. "He's been way more relaxed in his morning workouts. I think he's getting more relaxed with age.

"Any time you get a race and not tear horses apart, it's better for them. He has to step it up next time, but he can."

As for Sierra Sunset, Bonde said he had a rough trip in the 7 1/2-furlong Ack Ack, "but he pulled up well."

Bonde said he was glad jockey Martin Garcia didn't push him hard late when the race was already over.

Siren Lure recovering

Tribesman's comeback was made easier by the defection of Siren Lure, who was scratched the morning of the race because of a problem with his right hind leg. Siren Lure's trainer, Steve Sherman, said the leg was scanned and showed no structural problems and that the 8-year-old was being treated for an infection. He said a small puncture was found in the gelding's leg after it was shaved prior to the scan.

Where next for High Resolve?

Another Northern California-based sprint star, High Resolve, made her first start in nearly two months on Sunday, running second in the Washington State Legislators Stakes at Emerald Downs.

High Resolve, trying to give trainer Greg Gilchrist a repeat win in the race after Victorina's victory last year, was up against it in several ways. The race was at 6 1/2 furlongs instead of her preferred six, and she drew inside speedball Claire Annette. High Resolve set a pressured pace of 21.20, 43.20, and 1:08.20. Gadget Queen wore her down and pulled away late to win by three lengths in 1:14.60.

"We set it up for another horse to take it," High Resolve's jockey, Russell Baze, said after the race.

Gilchrist said that High Resolve was fine after the race, but he was undecided where she would run next. Possibilities include the Grade 1 Princess Rooney at the July 11 Summit of Speed at Calder, or the July 25 Vacaville Handicap at Solano.

Big field possible for Lost in the Fog

Nineteen 2-year-olds were nominated to Saturday's $50,000 Lost in the Fog, the final stakes of the Golden Gate meeting, which closes on Sunday.

Erin's Cajun and Hetch, who finished one-two in their debuts, and the recent maiden winner Empire of the Sun are considered definite for the race. The winners Washington Bridge and Coo Cachoo and unraced Paddy's Prayer are considered likely.

Bonde said early in the week he was still trying to "separate out" his six nominees. He also has his eye on the July 4 Everett Nevin at Pleasanton, which is for California-breds. That is a likely spot for Cahill Country, third for Bonde as the favorite in his debut behind Erin's Cajun and Hetch, and the unraced Minsters Power. Bonde also nominated Appealing Resume, Heir to Money, Recession Buster, and Smiling Tiger to the Lost in the Fog.