Coming into Saturday’s $50,000 Everett Nevin stakes race at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Sherman Bartlebort got overlooked by a lot of people who tended to talk about Galex or Mighty Monsoon.
Bob Hess, the trainer of Sherman Bartlebort may have even been a bit guilty himself.
“The truth is, I didn’t think we could beat (Galex),” said Hess.
Sherman Bartlebort made a believer out of all in attendance, including his trainer, leading wire to wire, rolling to the win in the 5-<1/2> furlong feature race Saturday.
“I just wanted to start to go and see how it worked out,” said Francisco Duran, the jockey of Sherman Bartlebort.
“He was very comfortable on the lead, which made it very easy to finish.”
By the time they turned for home, Sherman Bartlebort had put away Sold Short, Galex and Yard Bully, all of who had taken turns trying to cut into the lead, which had become four lengths at the top of the lane.
Galex and Mighty Monsoon both made bids in the stretch, but Duran wasn’t worried.
“I heard them coming the last 1/16, but I knew I had a lot left in the tank,” said Duran.
Duran was right as his horse crossed the line in first by over two lengths, with Galex finishing second by a nose over Mighty Monsoon.
The winning time was 1:03.31, with the win worth $40,850 to the Sherman Bartlebort connections.
The win was second in three starts for Sherman Bartlebort, with the horse finishing second in its debut before winning his second start June 10 at Golden Gate Fields.
“The first time he didn’t break sharp, the trainer didn’t do a good job of getting him ready,” said Hess, poking fun at himself.
“(Saturday) he got everything is own way. I think we just got lucky. But I would rather be lucky than smart any day."
“He’s getting better every time,” added Duran. “I really thought everything was in our favor (Saturday).”
Speed the key in Whiting
Look for the inside speed to be fighting for the win today in the $50,000 Sam J Whiting Handicap.
The race is the third on the closing day card and is scheduled for a 2:19 p.m. post time.
Goggles McCoy and Excessive Passion figure to be the horses to beat in the six furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up.
Both won easily over the Pleasanton track in the last couple of years. Excessive Passion, out of the Jeff Bonde barn, took the Everett Nevin in 2009, winning by over three lengths.
The horse, which will be ridden by Frank Alvarado, has been off since finishing seventh in a stakes at Santa Anita in January. Excessive Passion has put together a series of nice works to prepare for the race, including bullet works on June 3 and June 15 over the Pleasanton track.
Goggles McCoy crushed an optional claiming race last year, winning by three lengths. The horse, who will be ridden by Aaron Gryder, has won five of eight career starts.
Longtime turf runner Whatsthescript, who is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Russell Baze, will be making his first start ever on the dirt.
The horse has $990,964 in career earnings.
Today will be the last day of horse racing, and the last day of the Alameda County Fair.
