NEWS
Craig Dollase
Posted: Thursday, June 24, 2010 11:32 AM
CRAIG DOLLASE
Benoit & Associates photo
Trainer
Craig Dollase watched from the rail at Hollywood Park on June 13 as Zenyatta extended her career win streak to 17 races in the Vanity Handicap (G1). Awestruck, Dollase said the experience conjured memories of the three years he had with the superbly consistent sprinter Reraise in his Hollywood barn.
Despite several injuries that limited his opportunities, Reraise scored eight wins in nine career starts, including a dominant victory in the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs.
At 27, Dollase was the youngest trainer ever to win a Breeders’ Cup race, a record that still stands.
“He put me on the map,” said Dollase, now 39. “He was just a freak. I was talking about it watching Zenyatta, [that] I had such a thrill with Reraise. He would go out there and just do whatever it took to win. He only lost the one time. Every time I felt so confident with that horse. I see what John Shirreffs feels like when he sends Zenyatta over there. He just knows she’s going to show up and run her race. Reraise was the same way with me.”
Dollase had already been around a throng of talented horses as the assistant to his father, Wally, who won the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) with Jewel Princess and ’97 Travers Stakes (G1) with Deputy Commander and finished second in two Breeders’ Cup races with champion Itsallgreektome.
Since his own achievement with Reraise, Dollase has had a steady stream of top horses, including multiple Grade 1 winner Elloluv, who finished second in the 2003 Breeders’ Cup Distaff; Grade 1 winners Dancing Edie, Pt’s Grey Eagle, and Swept Overboard; and multiple graded stakes winners Awesome Gem, El Gato Malo, and Monterey Jazz.
Date of birth: December 8, 1970
Birthplace: Santa Barbara, California
Residence: Sierra Madre, California
Family: Married, two daughters
Title: Trainer
Career: Assistant to his father, trainer Wally Dollase, before beginning his own stable in 1995; continued to assist his father until he completely went out on his own at the end of ’97
Last movie you saw at the theater: Get Him to the Greek
Biggest professional achievement: “Winning the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) with Reraise.”
Biggest personal achievement: “My two daughters, Audrey and Alyssa, and my wife, Nancy. We’ve been married for ten years.”
Outside interests: “Playing and watching sports, going to movies.”
Personal motto: “Work hard, never give up, achieve your goals.”
Outlook on the industry: “Overall, positive. If we were just to market our sport, things would be a lot better.”
What’s one important thing your father impressed upon you as a trainer? “Being very patient, let the horse tell you when it’s ready.”
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