Odds-on choice Backbackbackgone earned the third stakes win of his five-race career when he held off a willing Free Action for a one-length victory in the $75,000 Golden Bear Stakes for 3-year-olds at Golden Gate Fields on New Year's Day.
Racing with blinkers for the first time, jockey Russell Baze eased Backbackbackgone to the outside of pacesetting Revoluta in the stretch, taking control of the six-furlong event past the eighth pole. They won in a drive over the closing Free Action, who closed from last in the field of five to claim the runner-up spot by 1 1/4 lengths over Revoluta. The final time was 1:11.01 over Golden Gate's Tapeta racing surface.
"He's a nice colt," said Baze. "He has a nice way of moving."
Trained by Peter Miller, Backbackbackgone won the first three starts of his career, including listed stakes at Oak Tree and Hollywood Park. The Florida-bred son of Put It Back backfired in his most recent effort, however, fading to finish fifth of six in the Hollywood Prevue (gr. III) Nov. 23. Now four-for-five in his brief career, Backbackbackgone banked $45,000 for the win and has earned $159,440 for owners Gerson Racing, Charleville Stables and John Rogitz.
Miller said Backbackbackgone will make his next start in the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Dash at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 24. The Sunshine Millions Dash is a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds bred in California or Florida.
Revoluta, sent off as the 13-10 second choice in just his second start for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, set quick splits of :22.15 and :45.37 while being tracked by Backbackbackgone. The winner was boxed in rounding the bend but found room at the top of the lane as Nina's Benchmark gave way on the outside. Backbackbackgone drew away from Revoluta past mid-stretch and had enough left to hold Free Action safe in the late stages.
The winner paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.10. Free Action, making his stakes debut after winning the first two starts of his career for trainer Bud Klokstad, returned $5.80 and $2.60. Revoluta was $2.20 to show.
Louie Rogers and David McKathan bred Backbackbackgone, who was purchased for $65,000 at the Ocala Breeders Sale in March. The chestnut colt is out of Pat's Sister, by Defrere.
