Bejarano Hopes Wild Dude Gets Pace Help in Kona Gold

Perennial Southern California riding king Rafael Bejarano reunites with Grade I winning sprinter Wild Dude in next Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Kona Gold Stakes for older horses at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.

Bejarano rode Wild Dude to victory in the Grade I Santa Anita Sprint Championship last Oct. 3, and has piloted the Florida-bred son of Wildcat Heir 13 times in his 21-race career, winning four.

The bay horse trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, who also is part owner, along with Green Smith, is a stalker who fancies a quick pace.

“His best races are when he’s right behind the speed,” Bejarano said. “As for the Kona Gold, it depends on how fast they go, then I’ll figure it out. Hopefully, there will be two or three speed horses in there that will make it easy for me. I think he’ll be tough.”

If Wild Dude finishes first or second in the Kona Gold, he would become a millionaire. With a 7-5-4 record from 21 starts, he has earned $975,232 to date. First money is worth $120,000, second, $40,000. Wild Dude worked five furlongs on Santa Anita’s fast main track Sunday with Bejarano up in 1:01 flat.

Also working Sunday for the Kona Gold were Cherubim under Tiago Pereira and Coastline, both for Phil D’Amato, off to a flying start this meet with six wins from 20 starters to lead all trainers through seven racing days.

Cherubim worked five furlongs in a bullet 58.60, fastest of 62 drills at the distance, while Coastline went the same distance in 59.80.

Probable for the Kona Gold: Cherubim, Tiago Pereira; Coastline, Tyler Baze; Dream Saturday, Mike Smith; Kafister, Flavien Prat; San Onofre, Edwin Maldonado; and Wild Dude, Rafael Bejarano.

FINISH LINES: Unbeaten and untested champion Songbird, a candidate for the Grade II Summertime Oaks on June 18, continues to gallop towards her return and could have her first breeze next week since recovering from a fever that caused her to miss the May 6 Kentucky Oaks, according to Dan Ward, assistant to Jerry Hollendorfer . . . Follow Me Crev worked six furlongs Sunday with Alonso Quinonez aboard in 1:13.80. The gelded son of Quality Road is nominated to next Sunday’s Grade II Californian Stakes but after the drill, trainer Vladmir Cerin said he is “40-70” to run . . . Agent Tom Knust reports that Mario Gutierrez leaves Tuesday for Maryland where he pilots Nyquist in the Preakness on Saturday before returning to ride at Santa Anita next Sunday . . . Ohio, the well-regarded Brazilian import that finished last at odds of 3-2 after an eventful trip in the American Stakes on May 6, is doing well and scheduled to breeze next week, according to Paulo Lobo. The trainer hopes to find a race for the five-year-old in Santa Anita’s next condition book due out Wednesday . . . Toowindytohaulrox, winner of the Daytona Stakes on opening day of Santa Anita’s Winter Meet last Dec. 26, is ticketed for the $75,000 Siren Lure Stakes for three-year-olds and up at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf June 4, trainer Phil D’Amato said . . . With no mount in the Preakness after winning five of the last seven Triple Crown races, Victor Espinoza is characteristically taking things in stride, resigned to plying his trade regularly at Santa Anita again after a world-wide, two-year wild ride that included victories aboard American Pharoah, California Chrome and Stellar Wind, each an Eclipse Award winner and the first two Horse of the Year honorees. Victor waxed philosophically about missing the Preakness, which he won in 2014 with California Chrome and last year with American Pharoah. “I’ll be here until I find the next champion,” he said.

Source: Santa Anita Park