4/24 (GG): San Francisco Mile (G2)
 

8th (4:15) San Francisco Mile S. (G2)

1 Mile (Turf) | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $150,000

1 Sir Al (IRE) Hernandez J J 122 L
2 Kelly Leak Atkinson P 122 L
3 Golden Balls (IRE) Blanc B 122 L
4 Bold Chieftain Baze R A 122 L
5 Gallant Son Mawing L A 122 L
6 Run It Schvaneveldt C P 122 L
7 Monterey Jazz Baze T C 122 L
8 Massone Alvarado F T 122 L
9 Red Sun Martinez M 122 L

I thought Bold Chieftan was about done after the 2008 Breeders Cup.

Criminy, he even made a losing appearance on the fair circuit last summer.

Guess I was wrong.

But happy for him. He's a big, good looking horse.

Didn't he win the Sunshine Millions Classic this year?

...and the injury marred California Cup Classic last year.

He was supposed to be retired after a 4th place effort in the San Pasqual earlier this year, but suitable stud arrangements weren't forth coming so they've kept him going.

Not sure if he ever won a graded stakes yet, but he's certainly back in winning form having won the Sunshine Millions and a recent money allowance (over MGSW Monterey Jazz) last time out.

Golden Balls ran surprisingly well off a very long layoff last time and Massone, who is a horrible bridesmaid, arguably has better form on turf. Those two rate upset chances IMO.

The only time I've ever won $$ with Bold Chieftan is when I made a straight exacta wager that clicked with the trainer of Lost in the Fog's horse on top.

It was a short field, and I knew they'd run 1-2. Instead of backing it up, I laid it all on the Greg Gilchrist horse to run first.

It worked out well, and I took my wife to a nice dinner to celebrate.

My wife has some great photos of Russell Baze atop Bold Chieftain at the 2008 Breeders Cup.

Yep, and $2 on him in today's graded stakes would have brought back $8.80.