Top pair must avoid bounce

Alert Bay and Ritzy A.P. each comes off a big effort heading into Monday’s $50,000 Rolling Green Stakes on the Golden Gate Fields turf course. While some handicappers may be looking for them to bounce coming back in about three weeks, their trainers are expecting another strong performance in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up.

Blaine Wright sends out the millionaire 7-year-old Alert Bay, who ran second as the favorite in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile in his first start in 13 months. Dan Blacker sends out Ritzy A.P., who earned his initial stakes victory in the 1 1/16-mile Joseph Grace on the turf at Santa Rosa.

Alert Bay stalked the pace in the Longacres Mile on the main track at Emerald Downs and got within a head of the lead in midstretch but was outfinished by local star Barkley.

“It was nice to see him back on the racetrack,” Wright said. “It’s no disgrace to run second in the Longacres Mile.”

Wright said that Alert Bay has run well on three weeks’ rest before. Alert Bay worked three furlongs in 38 seconds at Golden Gate on Aug. 25.

“I always think about the bounce factor, but hopefully he’ll handle that,” he said.

“Turf always moves him up a bit, and he was on the bridle and galloped out strong in his work here. He hasn’t missed a beat in training.”

Blacker considered running Ritzy A.P. in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap one week after the Joseph Grace before thinking better of it.

“I think horses sense when they’re doing well,” he said, “and he thrives on racing. He’s been doing so well, it’s a no-brainer to take a shot here.”

The field of nine includes Editore, who lost a photo in this year’s Grade 3 San Francisco Mile over the course.

ROLLING GREEN STAKES (RACE 7) KEY CONTENDERS

Alert Bay, by City Zip Last 3 Beyers: 91-101-88

◗ He’s won 8 of his 18 turf races, including 4 of 6 at Golden Gate Fields.

◗ He won the San Francisco Mile on this course in 2016 and 2017.

Ritzy A.P., by English Channel Last 3 Beyers: 90-89-92

◗ This will be his first start on the Golden Gate turf course, but he’s run well on the grass at Del Mar, Santa Anita, and Santa Rosa.

◗ His stalking style should put him in good position in a race with little pace.

◗ He has worked twice since his win in the Grace.

Editore, by Redattore Last 3 Beyers 94-99-96

◗ He makes his first start since finishing sixth, beaten 6 1/4 lengths, against some of the best turf horses in the country in the Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day.

◗ In his only start on the Golden Gate turf, he dropped a head decision to Flamboyant in the San Francisco Mile in March.

◗ He is trained by Paulo Lobo, who is 0 for 21 over the last two years with horses coming off a layoff of 61-180 days.