Cappuchino and his coupled entrymate returned $3, $2.40, and $2.10. Arsen paid $2.10 to show. The $1 exacta paid $3.90. (Chart, Equibase)
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer had to be happy to see that Danthebluegrassman was not entered in either Friday's Sham Stakes or Sunday's Golden Gate Fields feature, the $59,100 Golden State Mile Stakes.After watching his U S S Tinosa and Cappuchino pick up only minor awards in stakes races won by Mike Pegram's Kentucky Derby hopeful, U S S Tinosa shipped south to impressively win Friday's Sham Stakes. On Sunday, it was Cappuchino's turn, and the son of Capote tracked the early pace and drew away in the stretch to a 2 1/2-length win over stablemate Yougottawanna.Cappuchino completed the distance in 1:35.57 on a fast track to earn $31,050 for his fourth win in seven career starts. Russell Baze was aboard for the win.Cappuchino kicked off his Golden Gate meet with a win in the Golden Bear Stakes, then ran into Danthebluegrassman in his next two starts. He finished third in the Gold Rush Stakes in December, then second by a nose in January's Golden Gate Derby (gr. III).Cappuchino is out of the Lyphard mare Tara Roma, making him a half-brother to Go for Wand Handicap (gr. I) winner Serra Lake (by Capote's sire Seattle Slew). He is from the same female family as multiple grade I winner Too Chic – dam of grade I winner Queena, who produced Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) winner Brahms.Cappuchino was bred in Kentucky by Emory Hamilton and is co-owned by Hollendorfer, Litt, and Todaro. He was purchased for $130,000 at the 2000 Keeneland September yearling sale.Arsen closed well to finish third, followed by Dial a Hero, Lethal Grande, Steady Rollin, Cruising Kat, and Four Checker.