Hoovergetthekeys Starts New Year in Lafayette

ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 30, 2001) - Hoovergetthekeys, winner of the graded Golden Gate and El Camino Real Derbies in the spring but well-beaten in a troubled Bay Meadows Derby trip Nov. 4, returns Tuesday in the $100,000 Lafayette Handicap at one mile on the Golden Gate Fields turf course. 

The California-bred son of Mt. Livermore, out of the Saros mare Desert Orchid, was bred by Marty and Pam Wygod. He has four career wins and nearly $300,000 in earnings.

Among the competition for Hoovergetthekeys is a pair of contenders with California ties.

Moonlight Meeting is a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion General Meeting, out of the Nijinsky II mare Moonlight Elegance, and was bred by John and Betty Mabee. He was an impressive runner-up at 42-1 in the Nov. 23 Grade III Forty Niner Handicap at Golden Gate. 

Madraar, a son of Mr. Prospector and half-brother to Breeders Cup Turf champion Fantastic Light, out of the Nijinsky II mare Jood, figures to be making his last career start before beginning a stud career at Hideaway Farms in San Jacinto. He was in the money in 16-of-18 races in the United Arab Emirates, but has finished sixth in two American stakes starts.

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