A front-running winner of the one-mile Corte Madera Stakes last month, Lady of Fifty will attempt to stretch her speed a little farther in the $100,000 California Oaks at Golden Gate Fields Jan. 21.
Lady of Fifty is one of three for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in the 1 1/16-mile Oaks, which attracted seven 3-year-old fillies. Hollendorfer also entered Sweet Nothings, the runner-up in the Corte Madera, and recent maiden winner Milania.
The California Oaks, which is contested on the Tapeta main track, is set for a 4:15 p.m. PST post as the eighth race at Golden Gate.
Lady of Fifty, a Kentucky-bred daughter of After Market co-owned by Hollendorfer and his longtime partner George Todaro, has won three of four starts thus far. The roan/gray filly has consecutive stakes wins to her credit, taking the six-furlong Golden Gate Debutante in front-running style last November prior to the Corte Madera.
In the Corte Madera Dec. 3, Lady of Fifty staked slow fractions and dug in for a game half-length triumph over her stablemate Sweet Nothings.
The latter, a Kentucky-bred Street Cry filly owned by Hollendorfer and Halo Farms, was never far off the pace and rallied three wide to just miss. Sweet Nothings won once in seven tries during her 2-year-old campaign and went off at 10-1 odds in the Corte Madera, which was her most recent start.
Lady of Fifty, who drew post 4, has Russell Baze in the irons. She will carry 122 pounds while spotting each of her opponents six pounds. Sweet Nothings, on the rail, will have Aaron Gryder aboard.
Hollendorfer also starts Olympia Star's Milania, a Kentucky-bred Bernardini offspring who broke her maiden in her fourth start going 1 1/16 miles Nov. 17 on Cushion Track at Hollywood Park. She posted three straight runner-up finishes sprinting in Northern California prior to breaking through.
Southern California trainer James Cassidy ships in Your Special Day. The Kafwain filly was fourth in the Miesque Stakes (gr. IIIT) Nov. 25 on the grass at Hollywood and will make her first start since. She began her career with back-to-back wins on the Santa Anita main track last fall. This is her synthetic track debut.
$100,000 California Oaks (Race 8, 4:15 p.m.), 3-Year-Old Fillies, 1 1/16 Miles (All Weather)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Sweet Nothings (KY), A T Gryder, 116, Hollendorfer
2. Milania (KY), F T Alvarado, 116, J Hollendorfer
3. Run the Blues Away (KY), D G Lopez, 116, F Lucarelli
4. Lady of Fifty (KY), R A Baze, 122, J Hollendorfer
5. Distant Image (CA), A Gomez, 116, E Moger, Jr.
6. La Chispa (KY), A Sanguinetti, 116, K Nations
7. Your Special Day (KY), K John, 116, J M Cassidy
Lady of Fifty has won three of four starts, including the Corte Madera (shown).
Vassar Photography