From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2022)—A disappointing ninth going long on turf in his most recent start, Kirk and Judy Robison’s homebred Giver Not a Taker returns to a sprint versus statebreds on the main track Saturday as he heads a field of seven 2-year-olds going seven furlongs in the $175,000 Golden State Juvenile at Santa Anita.
A part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series, the Golden State Juvenile is for eligible California-bred or sired 2-year-olds.
A rollicking 7 ¾ length winner in a Cal-bred maiden special weight in his 5 ½ furlong debut Aug. 14, Giver Not a Taker then rallied for a most impressive 2 ¼ length win going six panels in the statebred I’m Smokin Stakes at Del Mar Sept. 9.
Off at 5-1 in his third start, the Grade III Zuma Beach Stakes at one mile on turf here Oct. 9, Giver Not a Taker was never a factor and checked in ninth, beaten 15 ½ lengths by Kentucky-bred buzzsaw Packs a Wahlop who is headed for the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Nov. 4 at Keeneland.
Providing there is no “Zuma hangover,” Giver Not a Taker, who is based at San Luis Rey Downs with Peter Miller, looms a potential standout on Saturday with regular rider Jose Valdivia, Jr. aboard.
Close in his first two starts sprinting, trainer Jeff Bonde’s Golf Drama took a big step forward in his third start, breaking his maiden going six furlongs at Los Alamitos by four lengths on Sept. 23. A chestnut colt by Smiling Tiger out of the Gotham City mare She’s So Vain, Golf Drama, who is owned by Rusty Brown and Mark Stanton, would appear to have ample upside as he approaches his fourth start with Tyler Baze up.
THE $175,000 GOLDEN STATE JUVENILE WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
- Midnight Lightning—Hector Berrios—122
- Passarando—Umberto Rispoli—122
- Mystic Flyer—Juan Hernandez—122
- Giver Not a Taker—Jose Valdivia—124
- Ship and Scam—Mario Gutierrez—120
- Golf Drama—Tyler Baze—122
- Merit Song—Ramon Vazquez—120