2003 Cal-bred News

Gold Rush IV
Saturday April 26, 2003

Record Gold Rush Day Handle

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Apr. 26, 2003) -- Total handle for Saturday's California Gold Rush IV at Hollywood Park set an event record and increased nearly $1 million from last year's Gold Rush Day handle.

Saturday's total was $17,230,858, compared to $16,277,225 last year, an increase of 6.9 percent. The previous record was $17,160,595 in 2001. On-track attendance dropped from 16,205 to 14,600 (9.9 percent); total attendance dropped from 29,808 to 27,398 (8.0 percent); and on-track handle fell from $3,501,052 to $3,087,736 (11.8 percent).

The big winner on the day was Golden Eagle Farms, nothwithstanding General Challenge's comeback, as horses sired by Golden Eagle stallions won three of the 10 races.

General Meeting was represented by Chief Planner, impressive winner of the $250,000 Citibank Snow Chief Stakes, and Five Star Meeting, winner of the Lakeview Thoroughbred Farms Stakes. Joey Franco, a son of Golden Eagle stallion Avenue of Flags, won the $150,000 Tiznow Stakes.

The Tiznow marked the return to the races of General Challenge, the millionaire Grade I winning son of General Meeting. But after vying for the lead down the backstretch, General Challenge faded to finish last.

The CTBA Melair Stakes went to Bartok's Blithe in only her second career win.

Jockey David Flores won three races on the card -- with Chief Planner, Five Star Meeting and Le Mans in the Pepper Oaks Farms Maiden Stakes.

Jockey Mike Smith had a forgettable day. He was dumped twice, including while on the lead at the top of the stretch in the TVG Khaled Stakes aboard Prized Friend. Smith had the mount on Five Star Meeting, but was being checked at the hospital when Flores picked up the mount and guided her home.

After Prized Friend's mishap, Sea To See inherited the lead and the win in the TVG Khaled Stakes. Shalini took the Fran's Valentine Stakes and Cee's Elegance won the CTT B. Thoughtful Stakes.

El Nuki won the Rancho San Miguel Stakes and Tucked Away took the Magali Farms Stakes.