Craig Dollase look for out-of-town options for Awesome Gem
West Point Thoroughbreds owned 9-year-old gelding, Awesome Gem, finished a disappointing seventh in the Grade 2 Mervyn Leroy Handicap at Hollywood Park’s cushion track in his seasonal debut on 5 May, 2012, will be trying to get back into the game with his
next start just around the corner.
According to trainer Craig Dollase, Awesome Gem has given enough reasons to try out of his hometown for his next start after his dismal display in the Mervyn Leroy Handicap, and the out of two options include the Grade 2 Californian Stakes.
Set to go underway on 2 June, 2012, at Hollywood Park, the Grade 2 Californian Stakes will be held on Hollywood Park’s cushion track over a distance of 1 1/8 miles, which will be a step up in distance for the son of Awesome Again after defeat in the 1 1/16
mile test at the same course.
Probably, 1 1/8 mile race is best suited for Awesome Gem’s style of running because in the past two races over 1 1/8 miles, he finished close second place finishes on both occasions.
Once in the Grade 3 Cornhusker Handicap and than in the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita.
“He just didn’t show up [in the Mervyn LeRoy],” trainer Craig Dollase said. “He pulled up great, and he pulled up great in his workout [Tuesday]. We might try something different with him.”
Out of Pentelicus mare Piano, Awesome Gem turned in five furlongs in 1 minute and 0.20 seconds at Hollywood Park on 22 May, 2012, ahead of his next start.
Awesome Gem could even bypass the Californian Stakes and go for the Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap on 28 May, 2012, at Golden Gate Fields, which makes a lot of sense due to lesser competition.
The Mervyn Leroy winner, Morning Line is headed to the Californian Stakes, and will likely be the favourite there after his brilliant victory in his seasonal debut.
The son of Tiznow downed Prayer for Relief in second and Kettle Corn in third to take the 1 1/16 mile distance in 1 minute and 42.42 seconds.
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