Hacking It Up #9 gives late challenge for the win in the Silky Sullivan. (Vassar Photography)
Matt Dinnerman/Golden Gate Fields
BERKELEY, Calif.— Southern California invader Hacking It Up sat in midfield off a swift pace, swung to the center of the course in midfield turning into the stretch, and ran down runner up finisher Clovisconnection for a half-length win in the co-featured ninth race on Gold Rush Weekend Sunday at Golden Gate Fields, the $75,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes for California-bred or sired 3-year-olds.
Hacking It Up, who stopped the clock for one mile on firm turf in 1:37.87, went off as the 7-2 second choice in the wagering and paid $9.60 to win, $5.60 to place, and $4.40 to show. 4-1 shot Clovisconnection, who stalked a quick pace, took the lead in midstretch, got run down late, but ran a valiant race in defeat, paid $5.00 to place and $4.20 to show. Third place finisher Cousin Richie returned $7.20 to show. Happy Does was fourth followed by 2-1 race favorite Please Focus, Rodrigoknows, Bob’s Blue Moon, Charbonneau, Mother’s Prayer, and Trinidad. Hacking It Up was ridden to victory by Evin Roman, who won three races on Sunday, and is trained by Southern California conditioner George Papaprodromou.
With the win, Hacking It Up improved his lifetime race record to 3 wins and 1 third place finish from 8 lifetime starts. The son of Nyquist out of the Square Eddie mare Hacktivism earned $45,000 for the Silky Sullivan victory and increased his career earnings to $160,580. Hacking It Up was bred in California by Reddam Racing LLC and is owned by Qatar Racing LLC.
Live racing resumes at Golden Gate on Thursday afternoon with a special race card. The 7 races on Thursday are turf events, with the all-turf card beginning at 1:15 PM. Golden Gate also offers racing on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Saturday afternoon will be a festive day at the track with on track fans set to enjoy Kentucky Derby 2023.
