By DRF.com
FRESNO, Calif. (Sept. 26, 2024) — A few strides after the start of Sunday’s $75,000 Harris Farms Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles, Clovisconnection will either be in front or near the lead.
Jockey William Antongeorgi knows Clovisconnection well, having won four times aboard the gelding in eight races. Antongeorgi’s early race tactics will be partially determined by what jockey Assael Espinoza does aboard Bob’s Blue Moon, who has shown speed at times.
Bob’s Blue Moon is drawn to the outside of Clovisconnection in the Harris Farms Stakes, which is run at six furlongs.
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“If he guns them out of there, I can sit and try to get to the outside,” Antongeorgi said of Espinoza’s strategy. “If he doesn’t break, I can take it.”
Either way, Clovisconnection is the focus of the Harris Farms Stakes, a race he won last year for owners and breeder Bill and Judy Hedrick and trainer Blaine Wright. In the 2023 Harris Farms Stakes, Clovisconnection, ridden by Antongeorgi, fought for the lead and won by a head.
This year, Clovisconnection has won 2 of 5 starts, including the Oak Tree Sprint at six furlongs at the Alameda county fair in Pleasanton, Calif., on June 29. In his last start, Clovisconnection set the pace in the Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs and was beaten a head by Five Star General, the 11-10 favorite.
“He ran a huge race,” Antongeorgi said. “That was a tough beat.”
Antongeorgi has worked Clovisconnection since the Longacres Mile in a series of fast breezes at Pleasanton. On Sept. 20, Clovisconnection zipped five furlongs in 58 seconds.
The six-furlong distance of the Harris Farms is ideal for Clovisconnection, who has won 9 of 15 starts and earned $350,550.
“I think he’s a better sprinter,” Antongeorgi said. “He can do both. He’s pretty versatile. Different surfaces, different distances. He’s a cool horse.”
The “cool” horse will be strongly favored as the only stakes winner in a field of six.
Clovisconnection is by Vronsky, out of the Perfect Mandate mare La Darling, was bred by owners William and Judy Hedrick and is trained by Blaine Wright.
Melanie’s Tiger is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Gotham City mare Melanie Rose, was bred by Martin Bach and owner Daniel Weiner and trained by Manuel Badilla. He has four wins in 10 starts, earnings of $116,493 and is coming off a June 8 optional claiming win.
Disko Tribute is by Tom’s Tribute, out of the Country Reel mare Disko Dasko, was bred by DP Racing, is owned by Flawless Racing, Brian Flanagan, Michael Jarvis and Michael Weseloh and trained by Craig Dollase. He has seven wins in 27 starts, earnings of $234,036 and is coming off a fourth in a Sept. 8 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. He has two wins in 12 starts, earnings of $175,854 and is coming off a third in a Sept. 3 optional claimer.
Bob’s Blue Moon is by Richard’s Kid, out of the Good Journey mare Nicollete Charmant, was bred by Rancho San Miguel, is owned by Blue Moon Racing, Steve Dietrich and Tom Halasz and is trained by Steve Sherman. He has four wins in eight starts, earnings of $120,650 and is coming off a 10th in a Sept. 8 optional claimer.
Lmlooknformischief is by Curlin to Mischief, out of the Tizbud mare Just Lookn Again, was bred by West 12 Ranch and is owned by Terri Oyarzun and trainer Faith Taylor. He has four wins in 29 starts, earnings of $171,996 and is coming off a fourth in an Aug. 9 optional claimer.