Big Race for Kona Gold

A couple of the excuses offered for Kona Gold’s loss in the Triple Bend Breeders’ Cup Handicap on July 6 at Hollywood Park were priceless.

After the 8-year-old gelding finished sixth at 4-5 in the Grade II, trainer and part owner Bruce Headley pointed to the 126 pounds the 13-time winner had to carry. This was a staggering one pound more than he had carried to victory in the Los Angeles Handicap five weeks earlier.

Others have reasoned that he was too close to the pace in the Triple Bend. This would hold some water had the winner of the race rallied from far back, but the fact is Disturbingthepeace, the winner at 16-1, led virtually from start to finish and D’wildcat, the runner-up, was second almost the entire journey, and they simply ran away from the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner in the stretch.

Kona Gold simply may not be as good as he used to be. He had little behind him in the Los Angeles Handicap and he lost his final three starts last year.

Whether or not he has lost a couple steps will be determined today as he tries for his third consecutive win in the $200,000 Bing Crosby Breeders’ Cup Handicap, a Grade II at six furlongs.

Besides the two Crosby victories, Kona Gold has three other wins at Del Mar and has never lost by the beach.

Later, Surya will make her Grade I debut against Grade I winners Golden Apples, Janet and Affluent in the $400,000 John Mabee/Ramona Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

Race of the day: Bobby Frankel, who trains Surya, will try for two graded stakes wins at Saratoga with Beefeater Baby and Tates Creek in the $500,000 Diana Handicap and You in the $250,000 Test Stakes.

Who’s hot: Rene Douglas. The defending champion at Arlington Park is running away with the jockey title again. He won with 65 of his first 224 mounts, putting him 21 winners ahead of Elvis Trujillo.

Who’s not: Nick Santagata. The jockey opened Monmouth Park with only two wins from his first 42 mounts.

Exotically speaking: A pick four singling Parhelion in the seventh and Surya in the eighth; Throw Me Roses, Lady Katy Did, Go Natalie Go, Miss Tropics and Script Girl in the ninth and World Of Fun, Moscow Nights, F’rilly Miss and Maria’s Friend in the 10th.

Winners (through Thursday): Previous day/meet total: 2/3. Money: Previous day/meet total: $11.60/$16.60. Total money bet: $34.