The Tulip jockey Ricky Gonzalez got his instructions from trainer Patrick Gallagher before the running of the Luther Burbank Handicap Saturday at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa and they were straightforward.
“I talked with Paddy and he told me there was going to be some speed, so sit back and make run,” said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez followed the game plan to perfection, taking back early, then pouncing in the lane to get The Tulip up for the win, taking the 1-<1/16> mile race on the turf.
Psycho Sister and Savannah Slew set the pace throughout the race, with Gonzalez content to sit back and bide his time. By the time they got to the top of the lane, The Tulip had moved to third, then split the front runners and took the lead.
One problem – Psycho Sister was not going to go quiet into the night and battled back.
“When I went by (Psycho Sister), she came right back at me,” said Gonzalez. “I just had to hit it – my filly was so full of run.”
The Tulip crossed the line a head in front of Psycho Sister, who was a length in front of Savannah Slew.
By Dennis Miller