Turf-favoring Chant for Gold restarts career

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - It is very clear to trainer Clifford Sise that Chant for Gold is best on turf.

"He cannot stand up on the dirt," Sise said.

The colt's race record supports Sise's theory. With a first and a third on turf, and a seventh on the main track, Chant for Gold has tipped off where he runs best.

Friday, will try for his second career win in a $49,000 allowance race at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Hollywood Park.

The race marks the resumption of a career interrupted last September when the colt emerged from a win in a one-mile maiden race on turf at Del Mar with ankle problems, according to Sise.

As for Friday, Sise worries that Chant for Gold, 3, might need a start.

"We'll get a race into him, but he wants to go longer," he said.

Sise is hoping that Chant for Gold can develop into a promising turf prospect by midsummer, when stakes for 3-year-olds on that surface are more lucrative, especially during the Del Mar meeting.

Chant for Gold's bloodlines might work to his advantage on turf. He is by War Chant, the winner of the 2000 Breeders' Cup Mile on turf, and is out of Double Sunrise, making him a half-brother to champion sprinter Kona Gold.

"He's Kona Gold's little brother, but the War Chant comes out in him," Sise said.

Sise is also worried that a forecast of rain on Thursday could affect Friday's race.

If the race is run on turf, the main horses Chant for Gold must beat are Bahamian Magic, Cinematic, and Remo.

beat maidens in a turf sprint in England last year and was fourth in two one-mile races at Santa Anita this year. Trained by Carla Gaines, Bahamian Magic needs a quick pace to help his rally.

has not started since finishing second in an optional claimer at Del Mar last August. He was seventh in a division of the Oceanside Stakes last July.

Remo won a maiden race on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on April 8, his 12th career start.

The race marks the California debut of Chaseur, who finished fourth in an allowance race on turf at Fair Grounds on Feb. 12. This will be the colt's first start for trainer Gary Mandella.

If the race is moved to the dirt, Remo may benefit most.