Plenty Take a Shot at Rich Cal Fed Snow Chief

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Apr. 23, 2002) -- A large field of relatively unproven 3-year-olds is shaping up for the $250,000 Cal Fed Snow Chief Stakes, the 1 1/8 mile headlining event on the 10-race Gold Rush III card for California-breds at Hollywood Park Sunday.

Entries will be taken Thursday, and based on the nominations and trainer indications, not one stakes winner will pass the entry box. Most of the runners will have barely broken their maidens, although one who just did, the Bob Baffert-trained Modernist, could be any kind of horse.

Modernist is a son of Bertrando, out of the Pirate's Bounty mare Frivolous Pirate, and was bred by Marty and Pam Wygod. He won his only start at seven furlongs Mar. 23 by 2 1/2 lengths. He worked six furlongs Thursday in 1:12.80 at Santa Anita. Jockey agents said there was uncertainty over whether Modernist would be entered, but assistant trainer Tim Yakteen said Modernist would start. 

The most proven of the probables is Gobi Dan, the consistent son of Huckster who has three wins and seven in-the-money finishes in nine starts. Gobi Dan, who debuted winning a $40,000 maiden claimer, tuned up for the race with a 1:12.20 six-furlong drill Monday at Hollywood Park.

Bred by Carl and Olivia Cannata out of the Silent Fox mare Jellicent, Gobi Dan has recorded Beyer Speed Figures of 80 or better in his last five races, including a neck win in a Mar. 28 allowance race at 1 1/16 miles over three of his rivals in this race -- Calkins Road, Roberto's Show and Highly Suspect.

Calkins Road is a son of Illinois Storm, out of the Lost Code mare Little Code, and was bred by Thomas and Deborah Shapiro. He lost to Gobi Dan by only a neck, had never finished worse than fourth in four races and he worked six furlongs 1:13.80 Friday at Hollywood Park.

Roberto's Show, a son of Lindsey's Roberto, out of the Show Dancer mare Kelly's Show, was bred by James Lindsey. Although he could have been claimed two races back for $50,000 when he finished second, he returned to finish one length behind Calkins Road.

Several 3-year-olds that chased Officer in the Apr. 7 Zany Tactics at 6 1/2 furlongs will be stretching out seeking the Snow Chief pot.

Hot War, who finished second in the Zany Tactics in only his second career start, is expected to go. He is by In Excess, out of the Miswaki mare Magical Flash, and was bred by clement Hirsch.

Duddly Doo Run, third in the Zany Tactics, is by Bonus Money, out of the Cox's Ridge mare Floral Tapestry, and was bred by Ron Gomez. He is based at Turf Paradise. Menacing Dennis, unbeaten in his only two starts prior to finishing fourth in the Zany Tactics, is by Star de Naskra, out of the Prince Sabo mare Joli's Princess, and was bred by K C Horse Corp.

California Goal, a son of Majesterian bred by Patrick Hurley and Groom On The Run, bred bhy Danny Cardoza and William Thead are also likely after just breaking their maidens in claiming races.
Among the maidens considered possible are Enorme, a son of Mr.

Greeley bred by Rhianon Farms; Political Rhetoric, a Donald Valpredo-bred son of Half Term who just finished behind Highly Suspect and Enorme; and Wagon Train, a son of Unbridled bred by John and Betty Mabee.