Vassar Photography
Matt Dinnerman/GGF Press Box
BERKELEY, Calif.—2-year-old gelding Clovisconnection stalked the pace, drew off from his competition at the top of the stretch, and blitzed his rivals in the marquee race of the week at Golden Gate Fields, the $65,900 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds at 6 furlongs on Saturday.
Ridden by Kevin Radke and trained by Blaine Wright, Clovisconnection popped out of the gate alertly and tracked early pacesetter Early Release until the turn for home, in which the son of Vronsky was given his cue to accelerate by Radke, pounced on the early leader, and opened up on the competition coming into the final furlong. Clovisconnection hit the wire four and a quarter length ahead of 3-5 race favorite and runner up finisher Passrando. 50-1 longshot Chase the Chaos finished third followed by Strength of Autism, Abinadi, Early Release and Havana Angel. Clovisconnection stopped the clock for six furlongs on Tapeta in 1:10.73 seconds.
Sent off at odds of 6-1, Clovisconnection paid $14.20 to win, $4.00 to place and $3.20 to show. Passarando returned $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show while Chase the Chaos paid $7.80 to show.
Bred in California by owners William and Judy Hedrick, Clovisconnection has won two races from two lifetime starts with lifetime earnings of $62,700.
Live racing resumes at Golden Gate on Sunday with a 9-race card. First post is 12:45 PM.
