ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 6, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Chancery Way attempts to defend her title in Saturday’s $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at Golden Gate.
Since Chancery Way recorded a 10-1 upset in the Bear Fan Stakes at Golden Gate Fields last December, she has become established as one of the better California-bred fillies and mares.
Stakes wins in Sacramento and Del Mar since July have helped her reputation. Bred by Harris Farms and John Nicoletti and owned by Andy and Rob Smolich, the speedy Chancery Way is expected to be part of the pace in a field of seven, along with Baby Kristen, who drew the inside post, and Tamara Wine, who starts from post 5.
Chancery Way, the mount of Evin Roman, will start from post 3, which trainer Jamey Thomas considers an advantage. The $6,500 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has six wins in 11 starts and earnings of $270,770.
“You figure the one-horse is going to go,” Thomas said. “We’ve got the better post position. She can be right there in front of the one or be somewhere up close, if not on the lead.”
Chancery Way has led throughout her six wins in 11 starts. On occasion in sprints, the pace has been too quick and Chancery Way has been caught. In a few races, she set the pace in a one-mile race and was caught late.
Thomas thinks Chancery Way’s class should help against Baby Kristen, who won a starter allowance at 5 1/2 furlongs on Nov. 25 at Golden Gate Fields. Tamara Wine led throughout a $32,000 claimer at six furlongs on Nov. 5.
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“To me, this is a little bit different,” Thomas said. “There is some speed in there, but this isn’t the speed she has been going with. This is not the caliber filly that has been heading her.”
Chancery Way won for the first time in Southern California in her third career start on the circuit in the Betty Grable Stakes for statebred fillies and mares at seven furlongs on Nov. 12 at Del Mar. Making her first start since late August, Chancery Way led throughout to win by 3 3/4 lengths.
“She ran a great race,” Thomas said. “She made an easy lead. When they turned for home, she kicked in and drew away from them.”
To win the Bear Fan, Chancery Way must prevail in a potential speed duel and hold off an expected late threat from Tam’s Little Angel. That stakes winner is by Tamarando, out of the Lucky Pulpit mare Angel Diane, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steve Specht. She has five wins in 24 starts, earnings of $242,554 and is coming off a win in a Nov. 18 optional claimer. She was third in this race last year,, her last start in a stakes for sprinters in Northern California.
The other entrants:
Baby Kristen is by Cat Burglar, out of the Rocky Bar mare Shared Image, was bred by owner Robert Traynor and is trained by D. Wayne Baker. She has six wins in 15 starts, earnings of $124,873 and is coming off a third in a Nov. 25 starter optional claimer.
Scary Fast Ride is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Congaree mare Scary Fast, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Sean McCarthy. She has one win in four starts, earnings of $59,540 and is coming off a second in a Nov. 10 optional claimer.
Tamara Mine is an Idaho-bred by Tamarando, out of the Benchmark mare Marks Mine, was bred by Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams, is owned by Frankly Speaking and trained by Isidro Tamayo. She has six wins in 16 starts, earnings of $133,910 and is coming off a three-race win streak.
Blue Wildcat is by Bluegrass Cat, out of the Papa Clem mare Lost in Lexington, was bred by Chacon Racing, is owned by Frankly Speaking and is trained by Isidro Tamayo. She has seven wins in 25 starts, earnings of $190,024 and is coming off a win in a Nov. 11 optional claimer.
Northern California Yearling Sale graduate All Dialed In is by Dialed In, out of the Mutakddim mare Nuffsaid Nuffsaid, was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds, is owned by Harris Farms and is trained by Sean McCarthy. The $30,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has three wins in 12 starts, earnings of $183,200 and is making her first start since a fifth in the Jan. 28 Moscow Burning.