G.G. Ryder, ridden by Ricardo Gonzalez, ran down front-running Summer Hit and jockey Russell Baze in the final yards to win the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile by a half length Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.
Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, G.G. Ryder is owned in partnership by Hollendorfer and his longtime client, George Todaro.
The SF Mile was contested on rain-dampened turf course rated “soft,” and G. G. Ryder prevailed in 1:37.87. Summer Hit, who lost the 2013 SF Mile by a neck to Tigah and last year’s running by three-quarters of a length to Pepper Crown, took third by three-quarters of a length over Are You Kidding Me and jockey Brice Blanc. Defending champ Pepper Crown finished fourth under apprentice David C. Lopez.
G. G. Ryder was the second choice in the wagering and paid $8.20 after collecting his ninth victory in 18 career starts. He earned $60,000, a payday that boosted his earnings to $315,114.
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