What can you get for $1 these days?
Well, let’s see. You can go to the $1 store and get quite a
few bargains. I think Taco Bell has a $1 menu and, oh yes, you can go to Golden
Gate Fields.
That’s right every Sunday at GGF is dollar day. Parking,
admission, programs, hot dogs and drinks all cost $1.
This past Sunday, $1 got you a chance to view a million.
Well 1.5 million to be more accurate.
Perhaps the most popular horse ever to come out of the bay
area, Bold Chieftain, was on hand for an allowance race.
The eight-year old who has won over 1.5 million and owns
victories in the $500,000 Sunshine Millions and the $200,000 Cal Cup Classic during his career, was tacked
up for the 39th time in a five horse field going 6 furlongs.
He wasn’t the favorite, nor did he win, but that didn’t stop
the fans and his connections from enjoying the day.
Under jockey Russell Baze, the 17 time winner settled back
in fourth for the first half of the race, then rallied on the inside to grab
second place behind solid winner Goggles McCoy, who was 1 ¾ to the good. Baze
continued to keep on Chieftain on the gallop out, turning the race into a solid
workout.
“We got exactly what we wanted,” said trainer Bill Morey Jr.
“The kid rode him well, he finished well and galloped out strong. It was very
good.”
The fact that the ‘Chief was even on the track is a story in
itself. After finishing last in the California Dreamin Handicap at Del Mar last
July 25th, ownership sent their prize horse into retirement and on to a new
career as a stud.
However, the farm he was sent to had problems and closed up
shop leaving Morey to ponder what to do next. Unable to find a good place for
him, Morey decided to bring him back for one more run.
“I couldn’t just keep him at the farm standing around, so we
brought him back to the track and he’s been doing just fine,” added Morey.
So Bold Chieftain fans will have at least one more chance to
cheer him on when he lines up for the
$150,000 San Francisco Mile at GGF on April 30th.
On this day though, he was a champion in defeat as he got a
warm reception from the crowd, even after his runner up performance.