Berkeley, Calif. (November 10, 2018)-Some handicappers and horsemen say that the biggest step up in class is from facing maiden company to competing against proven winners. Tivan, a 2-year-old California bred gelding, made his first start against winners in the $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes on Sunday at Golden Gate Fields and passed the class test with flying colors, sitting off the pace before coming with a ferocious rally down the lane to surge past early pacesetter Tribal War Chant in the final yards. Jerry Hollendorfer conditions the 2-year-old gelding, who was ridden to victory by veteran jockey Frank Alvarado. Alvarado celebrated his fiftieth birthday on Sunday.
“I knew they were going fast in the beginning,” said Alvarado. “This is the kind of horse that you have to let him break and let him settle down. At the three-eighths pole, I had to make up my mind on whether to go outside or inside. When you’re on the best horse, it’s safer to go wide, so that’s what I did. By the three-sixteenths pole, I knew we had it. He exploded [down the stretch] and gave me everything he had.”
Tribal War Chant, who went off as the 8-5 favorite, dueled on the lead with eventual fourth place finisher The White Shadow and held off Midnight Special for third, finishing three-quarters of a length behind the winner. Daddy Jones and Mad Luther completed the order of finish.
Tivan was bred and is currently owned by KMN Racing LLC. With the Golden Nugget win in his pocket, Tivan has won 2 of 2 lifetime starts with career earnings of $60,350. He completed the six furlong Golden Nugget Stakes in 1:09.94.
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