Mike Willman’s homebred MCCANN’S MOJAVE (Memo [Chi]) easily took command from
even-money favorite Desert Code (E Dubai) at the top of the lane and glided home
an authoritative 3 1/2-length victor of the $150,000
Berkeley
S. (G3) over the Tapeta surface at Golden Gate Fields on Monday. The Steve Specht trainee broke well and
tracked in third while Desert Code and Our Partner (Partner’s Hero) disputed the
early lead, dueling through six panels in 1:10 4/5. Frank Alvarado aboard
McCann’s Mojave rode with supreme confidence approaching the final turn and was
never challenged throughout the lane, reaching the wire in 1:43 for the 1 1/16
miles test. The 3-1 second choice was worth $8.20, $3.40 and $2.40, while
topping the $1 exotic payoffs of $9.20 (exacta) and $34.80 (6-5-2 trifecta).
Desert Code ran well to retain the place spot late, paying $2.60 and $2.10
while a half-length clear of third. Pass the Heat (Unusual Heat) rallied from
off the pace to complete the trifecta at 7-1, paying $3.40 in the process.
Magnum (Arg) (El Compinche) was another three lengths back and was followed by Our
Partner and Marsh Side (Gone West). Hello Sunday (Fr) (Poliglote [GB]) was
scratched.
McCann’s Mojave added $90,000 to his healthy bankroll, which now stands at
$1,468,565 from a 34-12-4-0 lifetime record. The eight-year-old notched his
eighth stakes win in here, led by tallies in the 2004 Potrero Grande H.
(G2), and the All American S. (G3) and Sunshine Millions Classic S. in 2007. The bay also
placed in the 2005 Triple Bend Invitational H. (G1) and 2004 Churchill Downs H.
(G2). This race served as a bit of redemption for the winner, who bled and
finished last at odds of 6-5 in this contest last season.
The California-bred is the last foal out of multiple stakes heroine Joni U.
Bar (Nordic Prince).