Albany, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2016) — Juan Hernandez captured his third stakes race victory of the 2016 Fall Meet aboard Colonel Samsen in the $75,000 Gold Rush. Trained by Eoin Harty, Colonel Samsen, though never far back from the lead, was caught behind Tipo Duro. Hernandez had to wait patiently for his move, but in mid-stretch the opportunity came and he ducked inside Aqua Frio and More Power To Him to close hard for the victory. Tipo Duro dueled with More Power To Him for the lead until the ¼ pole, but was out kicked in the stretch and then gave way. The mile race for two year olds was completed in 1:38.59 with favored 9-to-5 Colonel Samsen paying $5.60.
Juan Hernandez, winning jockey of both the $75,000 Pike Place Dancer and the $50,000 Golden Nugget, celebrated his third stakes victory today and remains atop the jockey leader board with 32 victories for the Fall Meet, claiming over $580,000 in purses. “I expected more speed in the race because it looked like a lot of the horses were coming from sprints. But then when the gate opened, the pace was slow. My horse was pulling hard and wanted to go, but I didn’t have anywhere to go on the backside. So I waited for my move on the stretch. The horse responded very well. And we won. He’s a nice horse, a very nice horse,” said Hernandez. Hernandez had a hat trick on the day.
Runner up jockey, Kyle Frey, still looking for his first stakes victory of the Fall Meet, finished strong, but was caught by Hernandez to finish ½ a length back from the winner. “My horse gave an amazing effort, it’s such a classy horse. It’s too bad, we kind of got out front too early then I was looking for a second and Juan came. Just one of those things, timing. But I tired, and the horse gave an honest effort,” said Frey.
Tomorrow, December 4th, is the inaugural running of the $75,000 Bear Fan stakes race. Dollar Day is every Sunday at Golden Gate Fields with $1Beer, $1 Hot Dog, $1 General Admission, and $1Program. Golden Gate Fields will be running until December 11th. The First Post time Thursday – Sunday is at 12:45 PM.