Lammas Turns Tables in Berkeley Handicap
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Photo: Vassar Photography/Shane Micheli
Lammas wins the Berkeley Handicap over I'mgonnabesomebody at Golden Gate Fields
Lammas turned the tables on multiple rivals Nov. 26 in the $100,000 Berkeley Handicap (G3) at Golden Gate Fields, surging to victory to secure his first graded score.
The 5-year-old Heeraat gelding came off a third behind I'mgonnabesomebody and 2021 Berkeley winner Freeport Joe in the Nov. 5 Joseph T. Grace Stakes on the all-weather surface at the Northern California track.
Among a short field of five, Freeport Joe was sent off at even money while Lammas, owned by Ronald Charles and Samuel Gordon and trained by Manuel Badilla, went off at 4-1 odds under Kevin Radke. Well-positioned from post 1, the eventual winner skimmed the rail in fourth and then third while awaiting more room off the pace set by 3-1 I'mgonnabesomebody, who posted early fractions of :24.01, :48, and 1:11.58.
Freeport Joe made an outside bid from the back of the pack as the field turned for home, but Lammas had the inside advantage and struck the lead through a 1:36.04 mile en route to a 1 1/4-length victory in a final time of 1:42.42.
I'mgonnabesomebody held for second, and Freeport Joe checked in a half-length back in third.
Bred in Great Britain by Peter Onslow out of the Speightstown mare Spate Rise , Lammas was purchased earlier this season by Charles for the equivalent of $55,327 from David Loughnane Racing's consignment to the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up and Horses in Training Sale and made his North American debut in July. He improved his record to 5-3-3 from 19 starts, with earnings of $126,688.