A young prospect and a veteran who will soon be retired were winners for owners and breeders Larry and Marianne Williams and trainer Steve Specht at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday. The 2-year-old gelding Wild Jewels won his second consecutive stakes and for the fourth time in his career in the $75,450 Gold Rush Stakes at a mile in the day’s fifth race. In the ninth and final race, the 10-year-old gelding Ward ‘n Jerry won what may have been his final start in a $12,500 claimer at a mile. “That’s a new thing to put in the record book,” Specht said on Sunday morning, reflecting on the age gap between the winners. “The old man winning makes me happier than winning the stakes.” Wild Jewels was 2-5, while Ward ‘n Jerry was 4-1. The milestone of winning with horses ages 2 and 10 is nearly impossible to do. There just are not that many 10-year-olds in training. It caused Specht to remember another racing oddity in his career. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. “I dead-heated with myself once,” he said. Ward ‘n Jerry, who has won 10 of 39 starts in a career that began in 2015, has raced for the Williamses throughout his career. He was trained by Mike Puype from 2015 until the summer of 2021, when he was announced as retired. Ward ‘n Jerry was out through 2022 and resumed racing in January. He won for the second time this year on Saturday. Golden Gate Fields, as well as Santa Anita, is owned by 1/ST Racing. The tracks have a rule allowing horses to race through their 10-year-old seasons. The current Golden Gate meeting continues through Dec. 10. The track’s winter-spring meeting begins on Dec. 26 and continues on Dec. 29-31 before the end of the year. Since all northern hemisphere Thoroughbreds are recognized as having birthdays on Jan. 1, there is a narrow window of time for Ward ‘n Jerry to have another start this month before he is termed out of eligibility. “If there’s a shot to run one more time, I will,” said Specht, who turns 74 on Dec. 30. “I won’t run him cheap. “He does everything right and he’s good to be around. He can run. He’s got a little age on him and he’s not as fast.” If he does not race again, Ward ‘n Jerry will leave the track on a two-race winning streak, having won a $10,000 claimer on Oct. 30. The age-limit rule frustrates Specht. “It would be one thing if he’s run some bad races,” Specht said. “He’s 10. Okay, you’re out of here, pal. But he’s passed every vet test. “To think they’ll kick him out of here after he’s won his last two … and then you see something that’s a maiden ($8,000 claimer) that’s been beaten double-digit lengths and they can stay?” Ward ‘n Jerry has earned $522,785. Aside from his longevity, the highlight of Ward ‘n Jerry’s career has been a win in the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Santa Anita when trained by Puype. When his career does end, Specht said the Williamses and their racing manager, Dan Kiser, have found a home for the gelding. Ward ‘n Jerry’s 12-year-old half-brother is the three-time stakes winner Tamarando, the sire of Wild Jewels. Wild Jewels has earned $148,810 in his six-race career. In the Gold Rush Stakes, Wild Jewels stalked the pace, took the lead in the stretch, was passed briefly by Classy City and fought past that rival to win by a half-length under jockey Catalino Martinez. “He got there,” Specht said. “He was fighting the rider the whole way.” Specht said he may look for race options in Southern California in early 2024 for Wild Jewels. By then, Ward ‘n Jerry will be retired. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.