Wildwood Flower rolls to victory

ALBANY, Calif. - Unbeaten Wildwood Flower ($3.60) scored her first stakes victory as she ran her record to 3 for 3, winning the $65,350 Piedmont Stakes by five lengths at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

Wildwood Flower was third down the backstretch, and moved closer to early pacesetter Hot Weekend and Siberian Shamrock on the turn. Under jockey Kevin Radke, she quickly established command into the stretch and pulled away for the victory over Siberian Shamrock in the four-horse field of 2-year-old fillies. She was timed in 1:09.48 for six furlongs over a fast track.

"She is some kind of runner," Radke said. "The thing I really like about her is that she's so versatile. She'll let you place her wherever you want."

Winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said he would continue to take his time to develop Wildwood Flower.

"She's doing everything we're asking of her," he said. "If you come to the paddock and act professionally, then run professionally, you have to have high hopes."

Hollendorfer, who has trained two Kentucky Oaks winners in Lite Light and Pike Place Dancer, said Wildwood Flower "looks like she has a chance to be a good filly."

Chance Rollins, who rode runner-up Siberian Shamrock, is a believer.

"She's the real deal," he said. "My filly ran hard. When I asked her, she kicked. She just couldn't kick as hard as the other filly."

Wildwood Flower has now earned $67,100 for owner-breeder John Gunther.

Her stablemate Heavenly Humor was scratched after coming down with a 103-degree fever.