Lammas Turns Tables in Berkeley Handicap

Lammas (GB) 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 (IRE) 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 (GB), 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.