Champion colt makes successful return to races

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Berkeley, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - While the world concentrates on the racing career of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome, last year's champion 2-year-old colt returned successfully to the races at Golden Gate Fields.

Eclipse Award winner Shared Belief got back to racing on Memorial Day by winning the $37,310 Onebadshark allowance sprint. The 3-year-old colt defeated four older rivals in the six-furlong event as the 1-5 favorite.

"He was supposed to run well, because he is a good horse," said Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. "It (the foot injury) was just an unfortunate turn of events for the first half of the year. Our plan is to do well at the end of the year."

The foot injury kept Shared Belief from competing in this year's Triple Crown races.

"Wow, what a nice horse," said Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze following the 4 1/4-length victory. "It was a nice bunch of older horses and he did it well within himself. He was blowing a little bit after the wire, but after going 1:09 and change on this track, he should have been. He's extremely talented and very athletic. Obviously, he's got a very bright future. He's a blast to ride."

Undefeated in three starts as a 2-year-old, Shared Belief has earned $472,200 in his four career races. Co-owned by Hollendorfer, the colt secured the Eclipse Award as 2013 champion 2-year-old male by winning the $750,000 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park by 5 3/4 lengths after claiming the Hollywood Prevue by 7 3/4 lengths.