BONDE STAYS HOT AT P-TOWN

Trainer Jeff Bonde swept the two races for maiden 2-year-old fillies on Thursday, taking his record to a perfect 3-for-3 at the meet as Izzy Rules and Cruzin Topless each made short work of their respective fields.  Both winners are owned by George and Mary Clare Schmitt.

In the ninth race, the Pleasanton native remained perfect for the meet, as Norcal Invader ($11.00) stormed up the rail to prevail for owner Philip Lebherz, giving Bonde a triple on the afternoon and a perfect 4-for-4 over the first two days of the season.

Izzy Rules ($6.40) debuted for a $40,000 claiming tag and the daughter of Peace Rules easily defeated the competition, strolling in by seven lengths in 57.45 for five furlongs in the fourth race.  Three races later, Cruzin Topless ($3.60) defeated maiden special weight competition by 4 1/2 lengths in her second career start in the nearly identical time of 57.46.

Norcal Invader, who debuted at Turf Paradise for trainer Fred Costa, made his first start for Bonde after a two month freshening.  Costa was also celebrating in the winner's circle after Norcal Invader's victory.  Three different jockeys accounted for the wins: Omar Figueroa, Russell Baze, and Diego Sanchez.

Bonde's streak came to an end in the 10th race, where County Wexford gave jockey Frank Alvarado his third win on the program.  Trainer Steve Specht picked up his second win on the program.  Russell Baze also had a riding double on Thursday.

Racing resumes on Friday with a first post of 12:45 p.m. PST.  The handicapping seminar begins at 11:15 a.m., with special guest jockey Alex Bisono.  Les Onaka of TVG and Los Alamitos will be the guest on Saturday, while Jeff Bonde will headline the Sunday seminar.

BONDE SCORES WITH FIRST STARTER

Pleasanton native Jeff Bonde wasted no time getting to the Alameda County Fair winner's circle, as Tango Mango won the very first Thoroughbred race of the 2009 season.  Owned by Batman Stable, Mark Hanna, and Michael Rovner, Tango Mango ($4.40) put away Rudeameanie and repelled a late bid from Tijuana Tuesday to score by three-quarters of a length.

"All kidding aside, it's so fun to run into all the people you haven't run into all year long," said Bonde.  "Today is got to the point of overwhelming, as there were so may people in the winner's circle, there wasn't any room for the horse."

Bonde, who was featured in an article last week in Pleasanton Weekly, went on to say that today "couldn't have been any better.  You wish you could talk to more people, but we're having a great time.  This is our time to shine, and I hope we keep firing away."

In the eighth race, Awesome Jared ($16.00) scored a come-from-behind victory over $25,000 claimers under Frank Alvarado.  My Creed was second, with Sacred Light rallying from last to get third.  Sidepocket Cat, the even-money favorite, dueled through the first six furlongs in 1:10.33 with longshot Switzerland, severely compromising his chances, as he tired to finish last.  Awesome Jared, is owned by a partnership of trainer Gloria Buckridge, Tom Heller and John Lee.

Racing resumes on Thursday, with a first post of 12:45 p.m.  The daily handicapping seminar, which begins at 11:15 a.m., will feature syndicated handicapper Bob Ike, who will be visiting from Southern California.