ADMINISTER KEEPS FINDING MORE AT AGE 9
Trainer Blaine Wright has a strong cast of characters in his stable; a barn that includes stakes winners Alert Bay, Alliford Bay, Riser and a number of up and coming 2-year-olds who appear to have plenty of raw talent. But amongst the many talented equines that live along the Wright shedrow is a notable gelding, 9-year-old Administer, who deserves plenty of recognition.
Last Friday, Administer made his first start since being sidelined for a five and a half month vacation. Administer, a veteran of the game that clearly knows what his job is, sat at the back of the field in a $10,000 claimer before surging past his rivals down the stretch to win Friday’s third race.
Administer has won 41 races, with 10 trips to the winners circle and 19 other in the money finishes. In 2013 the son of Bernstein had a banner year, running third in the Grade 3 All American Stakes for routers before cutting back in distance and finishing second in the Oakland Stakes for sprinters. In 2014, he placed in the Lost in the Fog Stakes and won a number of allowance races, and continued to race against allowance company and high caliber claimers until last year. For Wright, it is impossible not to admire the old pro.
“Administer came to us early in his 3-year-old year. He had developed bad habits as a young horse and basically refused to train,” said Wright. “He’ll still do it from time to time, even as a soon-to-be 10-year-old. Tirso Rivera, Pedro Terrero, Monty Turner of Utah and his pony girl, Brittany Moore, have really helped me figure this horse out and deserve a lot of credit.”
As to be expected, most horses will lose a step or two as they get into their 8, 9, even 10-year-old careers. But that doesn’t stop Administer from doing his job-a job which he clearly still loves-and racing at whatever level Blaine Wright and owner Peter Redekop believe the gelding can be effective. Administer’s entire campaign as a racehorse has come under the care and planning of Team Wright and Redekop, who adore the gelding and consider him a barn favorite.
“He’s a big part of the family. I say he’s almost part dog,” said Wright. “He’s got a personality for sure. He’ll eat any kind of treat but starlight peppermints certainly are his favorite. He was the first horse I ever trained for Peter Redekop. He’s a special horse in the barn.”
GOLDEN NUGGET STAKES SHINES LIGHT ON TALENTED 2-YEAR-OLDS
The feature race of the week goes as Race 7 on Saturday: the $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds. A half dozen entrants are slated to compete in the six-furlong contest.
Leading trainer Jonathan Wong saddles a pair of runners in the 2018 Golden Nugget: Mad Luther and The White Shadow. Mad Luther makes his first start for the Wong barn after a pair of wins going a route of ground at Presque Isle Downs. The White Shadow broke his maiden at first asking on September 9 and came back to run second, beaten a nose by undefeated 2-year-old Rickey B in an allowance race at Fresno.
Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer has a Golden Nugget contender in Tivan, a first out maiden special weight winner against California-bred company. Frank Alvarado picks up the mount for injured Irving Orozco, who was aboard in the career debut. Another maiden special weight victor, Tribal War Chant, won his second lifetime start and makes his first start against winners in the Golden Nugget for trainer Ed Moger Jr. and jockey Abel Cedillo. Midnight Special, who won as the favorite in an October 7 dirt race at Fresno, rounds out the listen of recent maiden special weight winners signed on to run in the Golden Nugget.
Daddy Jones completes the field of six. The Bill Delia trainee broke his maiden for $25,000 in his third lifetime start on October 19 and draws the rail post position in his stakes debut.
$50,000 GOLDEN NUGGET STAKES
#1 Daddy Jones (Trainer Bill Delia, Jockey Catalino Martinez)
#2 Midnight Special (Trainer Bob Hess Sr., Jockey Pedro Terrero)
#3 Mad Luther (Trainer Jonathan Wong, Jockey Juan Hernandez)
#4 Tribal War Chant (Trainer Ed Moger Jr., Jockey Abel Cedillo)
#5 The White Shadow (Trainer Jonathan Wong, Jockey William Antongeorgi II)
#6 Tivan (Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, Jockey Frank Alvarado)
BEYER SPEED FIGURES
***Winners of last week’s races and the Beyer speed figure they received***
Thursday:
Race 1: Priest Lake-36
Race 2: English Royality-43
Race 3: Administer-76
Race 4: Stellarium-48
Race 5: Scurry-69
Race 6: Lady Chrome-86
Race 7: Two the Punch-74
Friday:
Race 1: Wicked Ultimatum-63
Race 2: Rainbow North-73
Race 3: Meet Ya in Ky-44
Race 4: Make Money for Me-66
Race 5: Torpedo Away-53
Race 6: Swing Thoughts-67
Race 7: Special Season-68
Race 8: Sound Logic-69
Race 9: Midnight Ming-76
Saturday:
Race 1: Dynamite Ride-77
Race 2: Vonhra-56
Race 3: Qualifying-56
Race 4: Drink Til You Drop-78
Race 5: La Aguililla-62
Race 6: Shot of a Lifetime-76
Race 7: Madame Mousse-71
Race 8: I’m An Eight-72
Race 9: C C the Bartender-58
Race 10: Fiery Lady-77
Sunday:
Race 1: I’m Not Fancy-43
Race 2: Aries-63
Race 3: Luker-60
Race 4: Rally Cat-68
Race 5: My Discretion-78
Race 6: Spring Heat-79
Race 7: Dignitaire-65
Race 8: Buttie-76
Race 9: Jimmythisnjimthat-62
FINISH LINES: Edwin Gonzalez picked up 3 wins from 9 mounts to begin his Golden Gate Fields meet. The journeyman rider joined the GGF jockey colony last week…Congratulations to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who won once more with 4-year-old filly Vasilika in last Sunday’s Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes at Santa Anita. The Grade I winning daughter of Skipshot has won 8 straight races since being claimed by Hollendorfer for $40,000 in February…Trainer Ari Herbertson saddles multiple Golden Gate allowance winner Pyscho Sister in the Kathryn Crosby Stakes at Del Mar this Friday. The $75,000 stake is a mile turf route for fillies and mares…2017 California Derby winner Choo Choo races in the $75,000 Let It Ride Stakes on Saturday afternoon at Del Mar. Flavien Prat rides for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer…Also entered on Saturday afternoon at Del Mar: Humboldt County Marathon winner Engram. Quentin Miller trains and Martin Pedroza has the call…The Golden Pick Six jackpot carryover pool has reached $26,163 heading into Thursday’s card… Happy birthday wishes to trainers Gloria Haley, O.J Jauregui, Anthony “T-Bone” Stabile and veteran rider Frank Alvarado, all whom turn one year older in the next 7 days.