Solid group for Gold Rush

Dr Pescado, winner of the Golden Nugget here four weeks ago, and Midnight Mojo, winner of the Gottstein Futurity at Emerald Downs, are the headliners for Saturday’s $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.

But favoritism in the onemile race for 2-year-olds at Golden Gate Fields may come from Degree of Risk and Boise, a pair of runners who finished a nose apart in the Qatar Golden Mile on the Breeders’ Cup undercard.

The race attracted a full field of 10 plus one also-eligible, and has plenty of depth, ranging from Stanford Bay and C’Mon Man, second and third behind Dr Pescado in the six-furlong Golden Nugget, to recent local mile winners Saint Ives and Il Capitano, to impressive maiden winner Unraptured, who was relegated to the also-eligible list based on earnings.

There is no shortage of confidence among trainers, although each recognizes this is merely another step up in preparation for the upcoming 3-year-old campaigns.

“I’d like to win a stakes at 2 with him,” said Eoin Harty, Degree of Risk’s trainer.

Degree of Risk has hit the board in three straight stakes, including the Grade 1 Summer at Woodbine, and has the largest bankroll in the field, at $87,712,

“The only disappointment we had with him was in his first race,” said Harty, referring to a fifth in a maiden sprint at Arlington Park.

But the Cairo Prince colt won his next start before running in the three stakes

“He’s been sound and consistent, and we’re hoping he shows his best,” said Harty.

Jonathan Wong was pleased with Boise’s effort in the Golden Mile in his second career start after win his maiden in a fivefurlong turf race in his career debut.

“We always liked him and thought he would be good,” said Wong of the Temple City colt, who finished best in the Golden Mile.

Felix Rondan trains Dr Pescado, who won his career debut and finished fourth behind C’Mon Man in his debut against winners before turning the tables in the Golden Nugget.

Rondan is pleased with Dr Pescado’s efforts thus far and how the colt has worked up to this race, and sees “no problem” with the additional distance.

Blaine Wright said Midnight Mojo was a little too eager in his debut at a mile on the turf here after winning the Gottstein as a maiden at 1 1/16 miles with a late kick. “I think he wants to wait a little more,” said Wright, who has had the Midnight Lute colt sitting behind horses in the morning.