Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer's dominance in stakes races at Bay Meadows continued Saturday when his improving filly Crozet scored a convincing victory in the $79,950 Bay Meadows Oaks.Crozet took the lead from 8-5 favorite Kurlicue in midstretch and went on to win the 1 1/16 miles turf race for 3-year-old fillies by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:43.83. Pacesetter Kurlicue took second by 4 1/2 lengths over Lost Bride.It was the third straight stakes victory for Hollendorfer, who has won six of the 11 stakes run at Bay Meadows' spring meeting. "We bought this horse because she was a half sister to Lindsay Jean (a stakes winner on turf and dirt)," said Hollendorfer of Crozet. "She's taken a while to mature but according to Art Sherman (who trained Lindsay Jean) she's ahead of Lindsay Jean in that department."Jockey Ron Warren, Jr., who was riding Crozet for the first time since January, noticed a big difference in the bay daughter of 1999 Kentucky Derby winner Charismatic."She's really coming into her own," said Warren. "When I rode her before she wasn't half the horse she is now. She's learned to relax. She was kind of a run off type but now she waits for you to ask her. She's starting to run to her breeding."Crozet was bred in Kentucky and is owned in partnership by Rancho San Miguel and George Todaro. The Oaks was the first stakes start for Crozet, who earned $46,200 and has made $100,888 in 10 starts.Crozet paid $6 as the 2-1 second choice in the wagering.
(Chart, Equibase)