Undefeated Harris-Nicoletti-bred Filly Defeats Older in Bear Fan S.

Courtesy of ctba.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2022) — On Saturday afternoon at Golden Gate Fields, unbeaten 3-year-old filly Chancery Way faced older foes for the first time in her stakes debut, the $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes for California-bred or sired fillies and mares 3-year-olds old and upward at six furlongs on Tapeta. She picked a good day to run a career best.

Breaking sharply from the gate, Chancery Way went to the lead and set fractions of 22.20, 45.53, 56.7.3 before holding off a late challenge in deep stretch from even-money race favorite Big Summer. Ridden by Kevin Radke, Chancery Way had not competed since a two-turn allowance victory at Sacramento in July. She hit the wire a length and a quarter ahead of Big Summer and stopped the clock for six furlongs on Tapeta in 1:09.89 seconds.

Chancery Way, sent off at odds of 10-1, paid $22.40 to win, $7.80 to place, and $5.00 to show. Big Summer returned $3.00 to place and $2.40 to show while third place finisher Tam’s Little Angel (Tamarando) returned $4.80 to show. Sheza Girly Girl was next followed by All Dialed In, Luxury Liner, Tip Top Gal, Carolina Mia, Hot Rageous and Exactly Wendy.

With the Bear Fan Stakes win, Chancery Way has now won all 4 career starts with lifetime earnings of $110,520. Trained by Jamey Thomas and owned by Andy and Rob Smolich, the California-bred daughter of Mr. Big was purchased for a bargain price of $6,500 at the Northern California Yearling Sale. She was bred by Harris Farms and John Nicoletti.