Onebigbag Wins Saratoga 'Cap in First Start After Claim

Onebigbag, making his first start for trainer John F. Martin and owner Robert D. Bone, won the $67,512 Saratoga Handicap at Bay Meadows Saturday.

Martin and Bone claimed Onebigbag for $50,000 on April 17 at Bay Meadows. The 4-year-old gelding took a big step toward paying for himself by capturing the Saratoga, which was worth $39,875 to the winner.

Ridden by Chad Schvaneveldt, Onebigbag took the six-furlong feature for 3-year-olds and up by a half-length over stretch-runners R. Baggio and Debonair Joe. Onebigbag took the lead from El Dorado Shooter in midstretch and held off the closers while clocking a good time of 1:09.10.

Schvaneveldt, who was riding Onebigbag for the fourth time this year, was very impressed with his mount Saturday.

"This horse ran a monster race today," said Schvaneveldt. "He ran through the bridle."

Martin, who saddled two winners Saturday, is tied for second in the Bay Meadows trainer standings with 19 victories through 34 days of racing at the spring meeting.

Onebigbag, a California-bred son of Abaginone, has five wins, three seconds and four thirds in 22 career starts and $206,786 in earnings. Dismissed at 8-1 in the Saratoga, he paid $19.40, $9.60 and $4.40.

R. Baggio ($6.60, $3.8) edged Debonair Joe ($3.40) by a neck for second. My Captain, the 9-5 favorite, finished fourth and El Dorado Shooter, the 5-2 second choice, checked in fifth in the field nine.

The Saratoga marked the third straight disappointing effort by the 7-year-old gelding El Dorado Shooter, a former track record holder at Golden Gate Fields and a multiple stakes-winner of $533,527. El Dorado Shooter finished last in his previous two races.

(Chart, Equibase)