Albany, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2016)–In a driving effort, Simmy’s Temple, with Juan Hernandez up, prevailed by three-quarters of a length in Saturday’s stake race, the $75,000 guaranteed Pike Place Dancer at Golden Gate Fields. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Simmy’s Temple, breaking from post position one, in a field of five two year old fillies, was unhurried to the half and dug in gamely in the stretch to best 2-5 favorite Tapped ridden by Hall of Fame jockey, Mike Smith, and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. The official time for the 1 Mile event was 1:38.79.
Tapped, not far back at the half, was fanned four wide on the second turn, rallied to the lead and dueled strongly with Simmy’s Temple, but was bested late. Off at 6-1, Simmy’s Temple, paid $14.20. In addition it was winning jockey, Juan Hernandez’s third winner of the day.
Juan Hernandez, winning jockey aboard Simmy’s Temple (No. 1): “She broke really nice, sitting behind the speed. I was waiting all the race inside and then when I found my spot I put my horse in that hole and she responded well. She won the race and she finished strong.”
Mike Smith, second place jockey aboard Tapped (No. 5): “She had only run one time, this was a new track, her first time at two turns; the obvious you can give an excuse for, but other than that I can’t. If the horse is extraordinary then they can get the job done. She certainly has room to improve. So you just hope that she does.”