GOLD RUSH WEEKEND PARTICIPANTS SHIP SOUTH FOR STAKES ENGAGEMENTS
A handful of Golden Gate Fields based equines voyage to Santa Anita Park to compete in stakes races over the weekend. All appear to enter their respective races with a legit chance to win.
Trainer Steve Specht is sending Royal ‘n Rando for the $150,000 Snow Chief Stakes at one mile and an eighth on turf. The race is restricted to California-bred or sired 3-year-olds. The son of Tamarando last posted a 7-1 upset in the $75,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes. That day, he defeated Highland Ghost in the shadow of the wire, coming from off the pace and nailing the aforementioned foe in the dying stages of the race. Royal ‘n Rando, set at 4-1 on the morning line in the Snow Chief, is owned by longtime breeders Larry and Marianne Williams. Regular jockey Frank Alvarado makes the trip south to ride.
On Sunday, Specht and Alvarado team up once more with Ellamira in the $100,000 Honeymoon Stakes, for 3-year-old fillies at nine furlongs on turf. The California-bred by Street Boss was last seen winning the Campanile Stakes against California-bred fillies at Golden Gate and now faces Grade 3, open company.
“I worked [Royal ‘n Rando and Ellamira] five eighths of a mile together [last Sunday morning] and they went very well,” Specht told Santa Anita publicity’s Ed Golden a few days ago. “I got them in a minute and three-fifths.”
4-year-old gelding Jimmy Blue Jeans won the Snow Chief Stakes last year and returns to the scene of that victory one year later. He faces older California-breds on Sunday in the $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes on turf at one mile and has been installed as the 9-5 morning line favorite.
Most recently, Jimmy Blue Jeans set the pace before fading to an off-the-board finish in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile. Earlier in the year, he won a second level allowance race at Golden Gate. Jockey Kyle Frey has guided Jimmy Blue Jeans to two of his five career victories and picks up the mount in the Crystal Water.
Andy Mathis, who trains Jimmy Blue Jeans, also opts to send 3-year-old filly Vincero Grande to the Snow Chief Stakes. She faces male counterparts for the first time and sports an 8-1 morning line. A daughter of Mr. Big owned by SLO Racing Stable, Vincero Grande comes off a runner up finish behind Ellamira in the Campanile Stakes on May 1. Santa Anita leading rider Juan Hernandez has the call on Saturday for the Mathis barn.
On Monday, the Ed Moger Jr. trained Stilleto Boy seeks his first Grade I win in the $400,000 Hollywood Gold Cup at one-mile and a quarter on dirt. Stilleto Boy won the Grade 2 Californian on April 30 and sports a wicked quick 58 and 4/5 five-furlong breeze since the victory. The son of Shackleford has finished in-the-money in three Grade I races (the Awesome Again Stakes, the Malibu Stakes and the Pegasus World Cup) and passed the one-million-dollar earnings after his most recent run in the Californian.
JAUREGUI HOPES FOR BIG WEEKEND IN MULTIPLE STATES
Trainer O.J. Jauregui spoke to Golden Gate Fields publicity late Wednesday morning while getting ready to pack his bags for a trip to the southwest. On Monday, Jauregui saddles 4-year-old colt Tesoro in the Grade 3 $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile on dirt at Lonestar Park in Texas.
“We are going to run on a dirt track for the next few months, so it makes sense to go that direction,” said Jauregui. “He flew on the airplane and [got] to Lonestar Wednesday afternoon.”
Last time out, Tesoro raced on the turf for the first time and earned a career high 92 Beyer speed figure when defeating a group of second level allowance horses. That said, Tesoro has proven he can ship and run well on dirt. In November, he finished second behind 2021 Arkansas Derby winner Super Stock in the Zia Park Derby in New Mexico-a race run over a dirt course-and also ran third in the Bull Dog Stakes at Fresno against older horses one month prior.
Jauregui has tabbed 2022 Kentucky Derby winning jockey Sonny Leon to ride Tesoro, who is listed at 20-1 on the morning line.
“Sonny’s agent called me and told me he really wanted to ride the horse,” said Jauregui. “I said, ‘Why not?’ He did a heck of a job in the Kentucky Derby. I’ve been watching and he’s been winning some races where he’s at. He’s riding good. So, we’re going to give him a chance.”
On Sunday, Jauregui will be watching on a television when his 3-year-old California-bred Highland Ghost runs in Sunday’s Alcatraz Stakes at Golden Gate. Highland Ghost had the lead in in his most recent afternoon appearance, the one-mile Silky Sullivan Stakes on grass, before getting tagged in the final stride by race winner Royal ‘n Rando.
“Highland Ghost worked really well the other day,” said Jauregui. “His last few sprint races have been really good. I put him in the [route] race last time and there was no shame in the way he ran. Second time going long, back-to-back, I think that will definitely help him. My horse is ready to run. With him, he can go right on the lead or lay close. He’s got tactical speed. I imagine he’s going to use it, sit close and make his run.”
WONG LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BOISE BACK TO TURF IN THE ALCATRAZ
After a runner up finish in the California Derby on Tapeta, trainer Jonathan Wong gets 3-year-old Temple City gelding Boise back to grass in the feature race on Sunday at Golden Gate, the $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes for 3-year-olds. Boise broke his maiden sprinting on the grass as a 2-year-old and returned in his first start against winners over the Del Mar grass course, losing by ¾ of a length in the Qatar Golden Mile, an undercard stakes race on Breeders Cup Friday.
Although Boise won the Gold Rush Stakes in 2021 over the Tapeta, Wong believes that Boise will enjoy returning to turf races for the foreseeable future.
“He’s run two really good races on the grass,” said Wong. “There was a third race where he ran on turf at Santa Anita, but he didn’t like the course at all that day.”
In his last start, Boise only finished a head behind race winner Il Bellator in the California Derby. Even though he didn’t win, Wong was pleased with his effort.
“I was over the moon,” said Wong. “He hadn’t run in a few months so I wasn’t sure if he might ‘need the race.’ He ran well. Since his last race, he’s worked well and we haven’t had to do too much with him except keep him fit and happy. He ran hard [in the California Derby.] He’s fit.”
Boise will be ridden by William Antongeorgi III for the first time in the Alcatraz. Owned in partnership by Jason Hall, Scott Herbertson and Sheldon Steinmetz, the Kentucky-bred was purchased for $27,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September yearling sale and has earned $92,950 in six lifetime starts.
The Alcatraz goes as Race 8 on a 9-race card on Sunday. First post is 1:15 PM PT.
Race 8: The $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes (for 3-year-olds at one mile on turf)
#1 Highland Ghost (Jockey Catalino Martinez…Trainer O.J. Jauregui…2-1 morning line odds)
#2 Meetmeattheclub (Silvio Amador…Dan Franko…12-1)
#3 Boise (William Antongeorgi III…Jonathan Wong…9-5)
#4 Will Is Chill (Daniel Vergara…Jonathan Wong…20-1)
#5 St Anthony (Pedro Terrero…Neil Drysdale…9-2)
#6 Trip to Spain (Evin Roman…Jamey Thomas…6-1)
#7 Chief Wild Eagle (Assael Espinoza…Tim McCanna…6-1)
PLENTY OF LOCALS EXPECTED FOR MONDAY’S ALL AMERICAN
Golden Gate Fields offers a Memorial Day Monday live racing card. The feature race on Memorial Day every year is the aptly named All American Stakes. With a $100,000 purse, the All American is a one-mile event on the Tapeta for 3-year-olds and upward.
The 2022 edition attracts some of the top older handicap horses in Northern California. Among the probables is Tom’s Surprise, who has won a trio of allowance races since being claimed for $20,000 by trainer Jack Steiner and owner Remmah Racing Inc. Tom’s Surprise comes off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile.
Freeport Joe returns to arguably his best surface in the All American. Winner of the Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap, Freeport Joe put up a much better than looked effort in the San Francisco Mile. That day, he missed the break before rallying on down the lane to finish three lengths behind race winner Evening Sun. Gloria Haley trains for owner Larry Odbert.
The top three finishers in a May 1 open allowance race are possible to run. Among that trio is the All-American defending champion, Navy Armed Guard, who ran third on the first of the month. If he were to run in the All American, it would be his second start off a three-and-a-half-month layoff. War Games was making his first start routing for veteran trainer Cliff DeLima on May 1 and won the race in gate to wire fashion. A hard trying gelding, he figures to make some noise with his best effort. Govenor’s Party, a hard knocker who often outruns his odds, will likely be a price play to consider for trainer Dan Franko. He was the runner up finisher in the May 1 allowance.
The Steve Sherman trained pair of American Farmer and Nolde are also likely to enter. American Farmer ran fourth in the May 1 allowance but defeated Freeport Joe in a prior race at the aforementioned level earlier this year. Nolde makes his second start off a lengthy layoff after an off-the-board finish in the San Francisco Mile. Before the break, Nolde won the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby in 2019.
Entries for the All American and the rest of the Monday card will be taken and published on Friday afternoon.
SEASONED JOURNEYMAN VERGARA REJOINS JOCKEY COLONY
Jockey Daniel Vergara, who was at Golden Gate Fields in the latter half of 2020 and has been riding regularly in Arizona since then, is back at Golden Gate and will be represented by agent Brent Harmon.
“He can horseback,” said Harmon. “He’s a solid rider. Obviously, he’s been here before, so the good news is people know him. He’s riding different barns in the mornings. He’s already getting opportunities. We’re just going to keep trying to build his business.”
Heading into Friday, Vergara is six wins shy of 1,500 career victories. A native of Mexico City, Vergara has ridden at tracks across the United States. The list includes Santa Anita, Del Mar, Hollywood Park, and Fairplex (Southern California), Finger Lakes (New York), Canterbury Park (Minnesota), Parx (Pennsylvania), and Turf Paradise (Arizona).
CLAIMS REPORT
Below is a list of claims from last week:
Friday
Race 1: Grazen Honor (Jesus Ramos…Juan Ochoa)
Race 8: Carasynthia (Isidro Tamayo…Marron Road Ventures LLC)
Saturday
Race 3: Born to Reign (Jonathan Wong…Madden Racing)
Race 3: Casino Games (D. Wayne Baker…Richard Barton and Kate Penner)
Race 5: Remember Sue (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables, Johnny and Marcel Taboada)
Race 7: Edinburgh Express (Jonathan Wong…Battle Born Racing Stable)
Race 8: Strut to the Wire (Isidro Tamayo…Frankly Speaking LLC)
Sunday
Race 2: A Man’s Man (New Trainer Jack Steiner…new owner(s) Remmah Racing & Steiner)
Race 4: Ted (Jonathan Wong…Scott Herbertson)
Race 7: Minoso (Jack Steiner…Jim Maher)
Race 9: Alesha (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing)
FINISH LINES: 2021 Golden Poppy Stakes winner Altea was sold for $620,000 to Yulong Investments at the Magic Millions breeding sale in Australia. Currently, Altea is in foal to top European stallion Lope de Vega…Two “baby races” will be run at Golden Gate this week. On Friday, Race 4 is a maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies. The field consists of eight entrants. On Saturday, 11 colts and geldings are entered in Race 4, a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds at 5 furlongs…A super card has been assembled for Saturday’s races. Race 7 is a first level allowance for 3-year-old sprinters. Among the entrants in the field of nine are impressive maiden winner Winter Falcon, the Doug O’Neill trained Franklin One Star, and Big Papa Steve, who has already won once at the level once before…Race 8, is a second level allowance for filly and mare turf routers. Among the leading entrants in the field of eight: first level allowance winning stablemates Natural Colours and Scherzo, stakes placed 3-year-old filly Music Festival, Southern California shipper and multiple Golden Gate Fields winner Bellamore, and the quickly improving Assignation…Away From the Sun, who sports a 3 for 4 lifetime record, makes her 2022 debut in the fifth race on Saturday for trainer Blaine Wright. She goes up against Lagatha, who ran second to multiple stakes winner Becca Taylor last time out…Happy `birthday to jockey agent John Buc, trainer Terri Eaton and jockey Cristobal Herrera, who celebrate their birthdays within the next week…$9,304 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager heading into Friday.