Cal Cup Starter Handicap Draws 7

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2002) -- The $50,000 Ridder/Rowan California Cup Starter Handicap drew a field of seven 3-year-olds and up who have run for a claiming tag of $40,000 or less in 2002.

The Starter Handicap has been a regular fixture of Cal Cup Day since its inception, but this year's renewal will be contested over a 1 1/2 miles on the turf.

Noble Kinsman is bred and owned by Ron Gomez. By Walter Willy, he is a half-brother to stakes winner Gomezmerize. Gomez is also the breeder of another Starter Handicap nominee, Special Willy, also by Walter Willy.

Special Willy won a $20,000 claimer in his last start Oct. 2.
Fade to Blue captured the $44,000 Starter Handicap Championship over 1 3/8 miles at Fairplex Park in September. The 6-year-old Prized gelding was bred by Cardiff Farm Management Corp. and Lee Anne Aiello and is owned by Richard Englander, the Eclipse Award-winning owner of 2001.

Larry and Sheila Ullmann's homebred Bold Mango is also nominated. By the deceased and now very influential Bold Badgett, the 3-year-old captured the Derby Trial Stakes at Fairplex Park.

The other entrants in the race are Gypsy Road, Immense Variety and Windy's Halo.

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