Baze, Let Faith Arise win California Wine Stakes

CALIFORNIA WINE STAKES

By Dennis Miller

Front-end speed at the Pleasanton race track has paid many dividends over the years as the speed demons love running in stakes races during the Alameda County Fair.

Saturday figured to be no exception as horses such as Marks Mine, Tribal Gal and Special Summer all brought plenty of acceleration to the $50,000 California Wine Stakes.

But sometimes too much speed can set the race up for a closer and that’s just what happened Saturday, when Russell Baze brought Let Faith Arise from off the pace to win the stakes by over a length. The win brought Baze to 21 wins from 12,000 for his career.

“This year so far it hasn’t been like that,” said Baze of the front speed holding. “This year it has been horses that sit just off the pace winning the races.”

After a slow start, Baze and Let Faith Arise sat six lengths off the lead as Tribal Gal and Marks Mine set quick fractions through the first half-mile of the race. As they hit the top of the lane, it was still Tribal Gal and Marks Mine, but Baze and his horse were just two lengths back.

“They set a good pace for us,” said Baze. “I was a bit worried about the dirt in her face, but she ran like she always does.”

Let Faith Arise cruised in for the win, beating Marks Mine who was second and Tribal Gal who held on for third.

Let Faith Arise is owned by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. It was the fourth win in five starts this year for Let Faith Arise.

“I’m really pleased with the way she ran,” said Hollendorfer, who sent the horse on a two-week break. “She worked really well (June 18) and had been on her toes so I wanted to run her.”

Hollendorfer figures to send the horse south for her next start.

“If I can find a race for her at Del Mar, I will send her there,” said Hollendorfer.