The talented Cathy's Crunches, riding a three-race win steak in Northern California stakes for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, heads the field in the $100,000 California Oaks as the new year kicks off at Golden Gate Fields Jan. 1.
The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies on the Tapeta main track attracted just five. It goes as the third race of the program with a 1:45 p.m. PST probable start.
The stakes is first leg of the new “Black-Eyed Susan 2.2” bonus program that will reward any filly that can win the California Oaks, Santa Anita Oaks, Gulfstream Park Oaks, and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico Race Course with a $2.2 million jackpot ($2 million for the owners, $200,000 for the trainer).
The “Black-Eyed Susan 2.2” bonus was created by Golden Gate Fields’ parent company, MI Developments, which also owns Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, and Pimlico.
To be ridden by Chad Schvaneveldt under top weight of 122 pounds, Cathy’s Crunches is a Florida-bred filly by West Acre that has won five of her seven career starts for Hollendorfer and co-owner Mark DeDomenico.
Cathy’s Crunches defeated fellow fillies in the six-furlong Golden Gate Debutante by 5 1/2 lengths Nov. 6 and in the one-mile Corte Madera Stakes by a half-length Dec. 4. Sandwiched between those two wins was an impressive 2 1/4-length victory over male rivals in the six-furlong Golden Nugget Stakes Nov. 20.
Schvaneveldt rode Cathy’s Crunches to each of the stakes wins. Cathy’s Crunches has earned $153,520 in her seven races. In her most recent start in the Corte Madera, Cathy's Crunches was blocked in the stretch while rallying from fifth and just managed to get up. Game to Run and Lilacs and Lace, who dead-heated for second behind Cathy’s Crunches that day, also return here.
Sister Glady Oh La, coming off consecutive wins for trainer Steve Sherman, and Seismic Speed, fifth for Hollendorfer in the Corte Madera, complete the field.
The California Oaks highlights a five-day holiday week of racing at Golden Gate Fields that began Dec. 29 and continues through Jan. 2. Post time is 12:45 p.m. each day.
Golden Gate Fields will present “Dollar Day” programs on the weekend with general parking, general admission, programs, beers, hot dogs, and sodas costing just a buck apiece.
$100,000 California Oaks (Race 3, 1:45 p.m.), 3-Year-Old Fillies, 1 1/16 Miles (Synthetic)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Game to Run (CA), J Couton, 116, W Delia
2. Seismic Speed (KY), L Mawing, 116, J Hollendorfer
3. Cathy's Crunches (FL), C P Schvaneveldt, 122, J Hollendorfer
4. Lilacs and Lace (KY), R A Baze, 116, D Offield
5. Sister Glady Oh La (KY), H R Romero, 116, S M Sherman
Cathy's Crunches has won 3 in a row.
Vassar Photography