ROAD TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS BEGINS FOR ROMBAUER IN SATURDAY’S EL CAMINO REAL DERBY

Grade I placed Rombauer begins his 3-year-old season in this Saturday’s feature race, the 2021 El Camino Real Derby at one mile and an eighth. Rombauer, to be ridden for the first time by local jockey Kyle Frey, was last seen finishing fifth in the Breeders Cup Juvenile at Keeneland and has been working at Santa Anita Park under the watchful eye of Southern California trainer Michael McCarthy.

“Rombauer is doing really well,” said McCarthy. “He’s been working like he’s ready to race. We’ve got him fit and ready to roll. I’m hoping he gets some pace to run at on Saturday. He’s a horse that puts himself in a good spot, gets in a nice steady rhythm, and finishes strong in the end.”

Rombauer, who ran second last year in the Grade I American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita, seeks 10 Kentucky Derby points and an all-expenses-paid, free berth into the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness, with an El Camino Real Derby victory. In order for the winner to earn the latter incentive, he or she must be Triple Crown nominated.

“The incentives create appeal to run in the El Camino Real Derby,” said McCarthy. “[Owners] John and Diane [Fradkin] are excited to see their horse in the race and I’m looking forward to seeing him run too.”

McCarthy, before starting his own stable in 2014, worked as a longtime assistant for one of the sport’s world-renowned horsemen, Todd Pletcher.

“I’ve been around a lot of really nice horses over the years,” said McCarthy. “I think this horse fits the bill. There are some other nice horses in the race, but I’m hopeful that if Rombauer gets a good trip then he’ll have the class to get the job done. He’s a nice horse.”

“BIRTHDAY BOY” THOMAS WINS A PAIR OF RACES WITH IMPRESSIVE FIRSTERS

Birthday presents came in the form of first place finishes last Sunday for trainer Jamey Thomas. For any thoroughbred racehorse trainer, wins are always a welcoming gift.

Thomas, who indeed celebrated his birthday on Sunday, won the sixth race with 3-year-old colt Seattle Bold and the nightcap, Race 9, with 4-year-old filly My Legal Bet. Both were entered in maiden special weight races-the former for California breds and the latter against open company-and were making their career debuts.

Seattle Bold, owned by breeder Myles McMahon, is a California-bred son of Bold Chieftain who was entering his first career race with a number of sharp workouts on the tab. Before the race, Thomas was optimistic he would run well.

“You never really know how they’re going to run in the afternoon until they go out there and perform,” said Thomas. “But in a lot cases, the horses will give you an indication that they have some ability. [Seattle Bold] was working like a nice horse and I figured if he got out of the gate in good shape, he would run well.”

Seattle Bold, sent off by the betting public as the even money favorite, went to the lead and set moderate fractions before finishing full of run in the final furlong, hitting the wire a length and three-quarters ahead of runner up finisher Gallant Guy.

“I knew [Seattle Bold] could run well sprinting, but I’ve always told the owner that I thought this horse would like running long,” said Thomas. “He wasn’t blowing [after the race] at all. He wasn’t tired. I think I’ll stretch him out [in distance]. Physically, he looks just like his dad.”

Four races later, Thomas debuted My Legal Bet, a 4-year-old California-bred filly by Coach Bob. She was a well-kept secret; sent off at 15-1 while breaking from the inside post position, My Legal Bet stalked the pace before splitting leaders in midstretch and outfinishing race favorite This is the One. According to Thomas, My Legal Bet was another who strung together a series of eye-catching drills leading up to her first career start for owner Timothy Francis O’Leary.

“[My Legal Bet] showed in the mornings that she had talent,” said Thomas. “I was a little concerned about drawing the rail. She was on the inside with a large field [11 entrants], so she needed to work out a good trip and [jockey] Kyle [Frey] did a good job on her. I couldn’t have been happier with how she ran. We’ll see what comes up next in the condition book and go from there.”

Heading into this week, Thomas confirmed that recent maiden winner It’s My House will race in Saturday’s El Camino Real Derby. William Antongerorgi III is set to hop aboard for the first time.

“We’re going to the ‘Derby,” said Thomas. “He’s been bucking and squealing and playing around back at the barn. He has a good energy level and came out of his maiden win two weeks ago a happy horse. You can’t win it if you’re not in it, right? This is a big race in Northern California and you only get one crack at it. We’re asking a lot of him but we’re going to take a shot and see what happens.”

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INVADERS BRING TALENT & CLASS TO THE 2021 El CAMINO REAL DERBY

Berkeley, Calif. (February 10, 2021)- A field of nine is entered to take flight in the feature race at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday afternoon, the $100,000 El Camino Real Derby for 3-year-olds. The El Camino Real Derby, run at the distance of one mile and an eighth on the “all-weather” Tapeta main track, offers ten Kentucky Derby points to the winner and an all-expenses paid, free berth into the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. In order for the winner to earn the latter incentive, he or she must be Triple Crown nominated.

This year’s El Camino Real Derby field is packed with Southern California shippers. The likely favorite, Rombauer, draws the outside post in the field of nine and is one of six entrants who make the trip north from their home base at Santa Anita Park. Rombauer makes his 3-year-old debut in the El Camino Real Derby, having most recently placed fifth in the Grade I Breeders Cup Juvenile in November. Earlier in the fall, Rombauer finished as the runner up in the Grade I American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita. The current leading rider at the Golden Gate Winter/Spring meet, Kyle Frey, picks up the mount for trainer Michael McCarthy. Frey won the 2017 El Camino Real Derby aboard longshot Zakaroff while McCarthy scored a victory one year later with the filly Paved.

Javanica seeks to become the second filly in the El Camino Real Derby’s 39-year history to take home the gold medal. Javanica, a royally bred gal by Medaglia D’Oro out of Grade 2 winning mare Shuruq, has finished second in her last three starts, all against stakes competition. Eoin Harty trains for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Godolphin LLC, with veteran rider Frank Alvarado slated to navigate. Javanica will be breaking from post position 7.

Hall of Fame conditioner Richard Mandella saddles a 2021 El Camino Real Derby contender in Petruchio, by white-hot stallion Into Mischief. After breaking his maiden on turf two starts ago, Petruchio tried winners for the first time in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity and completed the trifecta. Local jockey Irving Orozco rides for the first time.

Trainer John Shirreffs sends Waspirant to the Bay Area for another shot against stakes company. Most recently, Waspirant ran fourth in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes behind two of the top 3-year-olds in California, the Bob Baffert trained pair of Life Is Good and Medina Spirit. The son of Union Rags is out of the Storm Cat mare Life Is Sweet, who won the 2009 Grade I Breeders Cup Ladies Classic (now named the Breeders Cup Distaff). Jockey Assael Espinoza has the call for owners Pam and Marty Wygod.

Owner Reddam Racing LLC and trainer Doug O’Neill won the 2016 El Camino Real Derby with Frank Conversation and, five years later, campaign the California-bred Play Chicken. Winner of the King Glorious Stakes for state-breds at Los Alamitos last December, Play Chicken looks to rebound after an off-the-board finish in the California Derby on January 16 at Santa Anita. Evin Roman is named to ride; Roman guided Kingly to a second-place effort in the 2019 El Camino Real Derby.

Positivity rounds out the list of Southern California contenders. His best run to date came in the summertime as a 2-year-old, winning the Graduation Stakes at Del Mar while sprinting on dirt. He also ran second in his next start, the Golden State Juvenile. Both aforementioned races came against California-breds. Trainer Paddy Gallagher employs his go-to Northern California rider, Julien Couton, to ride.

Three local contenders look to play spoiler for the heavy hitters from Southern California. It’s My House, trained by Jamey Thomas, broke his maiden sprinting two weeks ago and stretches out in distance. Tesoro, who unofficially hit the wire first in his career debut, was disqualified for interference with another rival and enters the El Camino Real Derby still a maiden. Recent starter allowance winner Govenor’s Party completes the trio of local talent and is expected to go off at a big price for trainer Dan Franko. William Antongeorgi III rides It’s My House, Catalino Martinez hops aboard Tesoro and Cristobal Herrera retains the mount on Govenor’s Party.

The El Camino Real Derby goes as Race 8 on a 9-race program at Golden Gate Fields. First post on Saturday is 12:45 PM PT, with scheduled post time for the El Camino Real Derby stamped at 4:15 PM PT.

The $100,000 El Camino Real Derby (3-year-olds at one mile and an eighth)

1. Positivity(trainer Paddy Gallagher, jockey Julien Couton)
2. Waspirant (John Shirreffs, Assael Espinoza)
3. Tesoro (O.J. Jauregui, Catalino Martinez)
4. It’s My House (Jamey Thomas, William Antongeorgi III)
5. Petruchio (Richard Mandella, Irving Orozco)
6.  Play Chicken (Doug O’Neill, Evin Roman)
7.  Javanica (Eoin Harty, Frank Alvarado)
8.  Govenor’s Party (Dan Franko, Cristobal Herrera)
9.  Rombauer (Michael McCarthy, Kyle Frey)

CLAIMS REPORT

Below are a list of claims from last week:

Thursday

Race 7: Harvest a Storm (New trainer Sammy Calvario…new owner Mary Tucker)

Friday

Race 6: Okoye (Isidro Tamayo…Jerry Edwards)

Saturday

Race 1: Galloping Uno (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Race 6: Push Through (Aggie Ordonez…McLean Racing Stables)

Sunday

Race 1: Family Trips (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Race 2: Leme At Em (Owner/Trainer Isidro Tamayo)

FINISH LINES: Please note that first post on Friday is later than usual: 1:20 PM. Golden Gate Fields also offers a special Presidents Day live racing card on Monday…Jamey Thomas was not the only trainer who won a race on his birthday last weekend. On Saturday, Southern California trainer Edward Freeman shipped 3-year-old filly Righteously north for a hard-earned victory in Race 7. On Saturday, Freeman was celebrating his 61^st birthday…Trainer Andy Mathis won Races 3 and 4 last Friday, with the $2 “Mathis Double” paying $121.20. Here’s the interesting tidbit, though: in each race, Mathis saddled two entrants, and both races were won by the longer shot of the two…Happy birthday to trainers Jacqui Navarre and Isidro Tamayo, both who celebrate their birthday’s this week…$3,071 is carried over into the Rolling Super High Five wager for Race 2 on Thursday…Leg E (the last leg) of the Stronach 5 wager goes as Race 2 at Golden Gate this Friday.

STAKES WINNER BEEN STUDYING HER RETURNS IN SATURDAY FEATURE

Multiple stakes winner Been Studying Her makes her 4-year-old debut in Saturday’s marquee race, Race 8, a first level allowance for filly and mare sprinters at six furlongs. Been Studying Her also makes her first start for Northern California conditioner Steve Sherman, who has been happy with his filly’s progression leading up to this run.

“She took the rest of the year off after the summer meet at Del Mar,” said Sherman. “It was nothing major. She was just getting a little body sore and needed some time to freshen up. She’s getting over the Tapeta well in her workouts and I think she’ll be fit enough to run well off the break. She is eligible for this condition, so this is a perfect starting point for her. She’s very healthy and happy.”

Been Studying Her, who won the Golden State Juvenile Fillies on Breeders Cup Friday 2019, is out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Maddie’s Odyssey. This makes her a half-sibling to 2019 Grade 3 All American Stakes winner Grecian Fire and Grade 2 winner Sneaking Out. Both aforementioned siblings have won on the Golden Gate Tapeta main track.

Another new shooter to the Golden Gate first level allowance condition is Sheza Girly Girl, moving back to the barn of trainer Angelo Tekos Jr. A newly turned 4-year-old filly by Richard’s Kid, she began her racing career under the care of Tekos Jr. and, as a 2-year-old, won a California-bred maiden special weight at Golden Gate. She was soon moved to the stable of Steve Knapp in Southern California and won a pair of California-bred allowance races there. Although her recent form is poor, Tekos feels this is the right spot for her to bounce back.

“Recently she ran in a couple of stakes races and those [races] came up tough,” said Tekos. “I’m really happy with how she’s training over this [Tapeta] track. I hope we get some pace to run at in this race because she likes to sit off and make a run.”

Continued Tekos, “She’s eligible for this first level [allowance] condition. It’s a logical spot for her. The class relief should do her good. Been Studying Her is a nice filly and she’s the one to beat, no doubt, but if there’s a time to try and beat her it’s probably now when she’s coming off a layoff.”

First post for a 9-race card this Saturday is 12:45 PM. Please note that on Sunday, first post will be earlier than usual, 11:45 AM, to accommodate all who wish to watch “The Big Game” later in the afternoon and into the evening.

HECK YEAH IN HAS FOUND HIS NICHE IN THE ROUTE GAME

Trainer Steve Sherman was delighted to see Golden Gate shipper Heck Yeah perform as well as he did in the $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic for California-breds at Santa Anita on January 16. Sent off at odds of 21-1, the son of Grade I winner Acclamation sat off the pace before producing an eye-catching move turning for home. He battled for the victory for the length of the lane but was eventually outfinished by the winner, North County Guy. Heck Yeah lost no admirers in defeat.

“He ran great,” reflected Sherman. “I was proud of him. He faced a good field that day and ran his heart out. I couldn’t have asked him to try any harder.”  

Heck Yeah began his career with trainer Bob Baffert and won three stakes, all against California-breds, as a younger horse. He displayed poor form in 2019 and 2020 and was eventually turned-out last February for some much-needed farm time. From there, it was decided that he would be transferred to Sherman’s stable at Golden Gate Fields with the hopes that he would regain winning form against easier company.

Returning to the races last summer, Heck Yeah ran poorly in a pair of sprint efforts for Sherman. When Sherman opted to route him in his third start off the layoff, Heck Yeah looked like a different-and much improved-racehorse. That day, he sat off a fast pace, overtook the early leader turning for home, and won the race easily while earning an 86 Beyer speed figure. In his next start, he won again, earning another 86 Beyer. In the Unusual Heat Turf Classic, Heck Yeah was given a career high 96 Beyer.

“Sometimes horses get older and they change,” said Sherman. “He used to be able to sprint just fine. He could sprint and route. Now, for whatever reason, he’s telling us routing is what he wants to do. We’ll keep him going two turns.”

Heck Yeah has resumed light training at Golden Gate since the Santa Anita second-place finish and may return to the work tab this weekend, according to Sherman.

NOMINATIONS FOR 2021 EL CAMINO REAL DERBY CLOSE THURSDAY

The deadline for horsemen to nominate their contenders to one of the most prestigious races every year in Northern California, the $100,000 El Camino Real Derby, is Thursday at midnight. The 2021 edition of the El Camino Real Derby, a one mile and an eighth race for 3-year-olds on Tapeta, will be run next Saturday, February 13.

The El Camino Real Derby is an intriguing race for any horse on the Triple Crown trail. Not only does the winner receive 10 Kentucky Derby points, but they also pick up an all-expenses-paid, free berth into the Preakness Stakes. In order for a horse to receive the latter incentive, however, they must be triple crown nominated.

Major El Camino Real Derby news broke last Saturday when Rombauer, who finished second in the 2020 Grade I American Pharoah Stakes in September at Santa Anita, was listed as “likely” for the race. His owner, John Fradkin, took to Twitter last week to indicate that his star 3-year-old was being pointed for next Saturday’s feature. Michael McCarthy trains the son of Twirling Candy, whose lone win came last summer at Del Mar in a maiden race.

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week, with new human connections listed.

Thursday
Race 2: Ben Wade (New trainer Isidro Tamayo…new owner Sergio A. Salguero)
Race 5: Hot Socks (Jonathan Wong…Madden Racing, MJVET Stables, and Cynthia Kahuanui)

Friday
Race 1: Union Leader (Tirso Rivera…Beth Rivera)
Race 6: Galwalksintoabar (Jonathan Wong…Paul K. Girdner)

Saturday
Race 4: Kaline (Bill McLean…Fred Desimone, Gary Smith, and Bill McLean)
Race 4: My Sunshine (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing and Jose Valle)
Race 6: Awesome Amanda (Jonathan Wong…Terri Tucket)
Race 8: Discernment (Aggie Ordonez…McLean Racing Stables)

Sunday
Race 2: Baby Frankie (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing and Jose Valle)
Race 2: Megameister (Pablo De Jesus…Tim Bankers)
Race 3: Irish Declaration (Reid France…Goat Racing Stable LLC and Reid France)

FINISH LINES: After three weeks of live racing at the current meet, jockey Kyle Frey sits atop the jockey standings with 18 wins. Evin Roman holds second place with 14 victories while Catalino Martinez rounds out the top three spots with 12 trips to the winner’s circle…Trainer Steve Specht has won eight races, the most out of any trainer. Tied for second in the trainer standings are a trio of conditioners: Isidro Tamayo, Jonathan Wong and Blaine Wright, all with five wins apiece…Grade I winner Keeper Ofthe Stars, currently on the comeback trail for a 5-year-old season, worked a half-mile on Thursday morning for trainer Jonathan Wong. The daughter of Midnight Lute won the Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita last May, finished off the board twice in two subsequent starts, and was then given the rest of 2020 off…2020 All American Stakes winner Restrainedvengence makes his 2021 debut in the one-mile, Grade 3 $100,000 Thunder Road Stakes on turf at Santa Anita. Val Brinkerhoff employs jockey Ruben Fuentes for the ride…Happy birthday to trainer Jamey Thomas, who celebrates his birthday this week…Leg D (the second to last leg) of Friday’s Stronach 5 wager goes as Race 3 at Golden Gate…$29,520 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager heading into Thursday’s card.

TIZ FAKE NEWS RETURNS IN FRIDAY FEATURE

Race 7 on Friday, a second level allowance for filly and mare sprinters, features the return of Tiz Fake News. The daughter of Tiznow, who hasn’t been seen since competing in the Santa Ysabel Stakes at Santa Anita last March, sports a steady series of works leading up to her 2021 debut and will be ridden by Evin Roman for the first time.

“This is a good starting spot for her,” said Tiz Fake News’s trainer, Jonathan Wong. “I wish I had a couple more works into her [off the layoff], but this race came up in the [condition] book and this is where she fits. She’s grown physically [from age 3 to 4] and she’s training really well. She’s a nice filly. When she broke her maiden, she went 21 and change, so she has speed and I think she’ll be up on the pace.”

Trainer Blaine Wright saddles a pair in Diamonds R and Coco Bee, who drew posts 5 and 6 respectively. Coco Bee, who has not raced since an off the board finish in the Camilla Urso Stakes last May, sport two bullet workouts leading up to this run. In late 2019 and early 2020, Coco Bee won three straight allowance races on the main track Tapeta.

“I thought she’d really like the turf, but she never handled it at any point [in her last start],” said Wright. “She couldn’t be training better, runs well fresh and obviously like the Tapeta. It’s good to get her back up and running again. She’s a nice mare.”

Diamonds R, who exits stakes company at Emerald Downs in Washington state, races for the first time in three months. Throughout her 21-race career, she has competed exclusively at Emerald under the care of Pacific Northwest trainer Tom Wenzel. After Emerald’s season ended in October, Diamonds R was transferred to the barn of Blaine Wright, who is slated to condition the 6-year-old mare throughout the winter.  

“The owners wanted to try her [in California]. I’ve gotten to know her over the last couple months,” said Wright. “She’s training super over this track. The distance of this race might be a little bit short for her, but I wanted to start her out sprinting off the layoff and go from there.”

The morning line favorite is Gotham Desire, a daughter of Gotham City who has finished as the runner up in her last two starts at this level. The Ed. Moger Jr. trainee is a versatile mare that has shown the ability to run her “A” race no matter how the pace scenario unfolds and wherever she is placed in the race. Her last win came three starts ago when she dead heated for the victory in an allowance race against similar company to what she’ll face on Friday. 

Stakes winner Princess Vivian also makes the field. The Sergio Ledezma trained mare is lightly raced, with just 11 starts to her name, but sports an ultra-consistent 4-1-4 record. Most recently, the daughter of Uh Oh Bango ran third on October 30 as the favorite behind the talented Praise and Honor and Gotham Desire.  

Draw Me, who finished fourth in the aforementioned October 30 allowance event, rounds out the field. Terri Eaton trains and Hugo Herrera rides the California-bred filly by Last Draw, who makes her 4-year-old debut in the Friday feature.

LYMEBIRD BACK HOME AND READY TO GET BACK TO ROUTING

Looking at the past performances of 8-year-old gelding Lymebird, it’s pretty clear what he thrives at: routing on Tapeta.

“We didn’t get too many opportunities to route him on the Tapeta last year,” said Lymebird’s trainer, Angelo Tekos Jr. “The stoppages we had due to COVID-19 was a factor. A couple times races just weren’t filling.”

Nonetheless, the Tekos stable star was still able to run “long” on Tapeta twice in 2020, and both efforts resulted in better than looked runner up finishes. In one of those starts, he finished second behind stakes caliber racer Navy Armed Guard, who broke the track record that day. In his other start, he ran second again, this time to multiple 2020 stakes winner Camino Del Paraiso.

Since a poor performance at Santa Anita three weeks ago on turf, Lymebird has worked two easy half mile drills leading up to this Saturday’s main event at Golden Gate, Race 7, a second level allowance at one mile. Lymebird drew post 2 of 6 and picks up the services of jockey Catalino Martinez.

“He should be fit and ready to roll,” said Tekos. “In his last start, the owner wanted to take a shot at Santa Anita and we saw it as getting a run into him before this race. We’re excited to run him on Saturday. if he puts his best foot forward, we definitely have a shot to win.”

Other main contenders in Race 7 on Saturday: stakes placed gelding Our Silver Oak, Southern California shipper King of Speed and Robert Dupret Derby winner American Farmer. Stretch-out sprinter Wine and Whisky and Jammers Justice will likely go off at a price and complete the group of a half dozen entrants.

CLAIMS REPORT

Below are the list of claimed horses and their new connections from last week:

January 22

Race 2: Playing Through (New trainer Isidro Tamayo…new owner Johnny Taboada)

Race 2: Tanners Pride (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables and Johnny Taboada)

Race 2: Trump Um (Frank Lucarelli…Bill Meikle)

Race 3: Extractor (Jesus Ramos…Candelario Barragan and Jose Cruz Ramos)

Race 3: Hold Me Close (Sammy Calvario…Johnny and Marcel Taboada)

Race 4: Kate Boss (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing)

Race 5: She’s So Pretty (Jonathan Wong…Madden Racing, MJVET Stables and Cynthia Kahuanui)

Race 6: Miss Indefatigable (Jonathan Wong…Madden Racing and Cynthia Kahuanui)

Race 8: Tom’s Surprise (Jonathan Wong…Kam Racing Stables and Brent Malmstrom)

January 23

Race 2: Malibu Cat (Owner/Trainer Tim McCanna)

Race 7: Ziarah (Owner/Trainer Tim McCanna)

January 24

Race 3: Agent Zero (Jonathan Wong…Hon Cheung Kum and Hsiu Mei Tsai)

Race 6: Coolcross (Monty Meier…Browne Cattle Co. and William Branch)

FINISH LINES: Notable workers last week who are on the comeback trail after taking time off: The well-regarded Jeffnjohn’sthundr (3F in 38.20 for trainer Jeff Bonde), multiple stakes winner Time for Gold (4F in 50.60 seconds for trainer Frank Lucarelli), and stakes winner Top Harbor (5F in 1:02.00 seconds for trainer Tim McCanna)…Per Gary Dougherty of “Racing Stats and Info” on Twitter, jockey William Antongeorgi III made his 1,003rd trip to the Golden Gate Fields winners circle on Sunday when guiding Shot Of A Lifetime to victory in Race 7… Jockey Francisco Duran is back in the Bay Area after a quick stint at Turf Paradise in Arizona and will represent himself…Happy birthday to trainer Steve Sherman, who celebrates his birthday on Thursday…$15,029 is carried over in the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager heading into Thursday’s card.

CRISTIANO’S DREAM A “DREAM COME TRUE” FOR HIS CONNECTIONS

First-time starter Cristiano’s Dream scored a sharp-looking win in Race 7 last Sunday, a California-bred maiden special weight for 3-year-olds. Cristiano’s Dream, conditioned by Mike Lenzini and ridden to victory by Erick Lopez, won the five-and-a-half-furlong contest by three and a half lengths and earned a 68 Beyer speed figure for his effort.

Cristiano’s Dream is owned by John Parker, Lopez’s father-in-law. The horse is named after Lopez’s son, 18-month-old Cristiano.

“[The race] was special,” reflected Erick. “It was really cool that things worked out. How often does this type of thing happen? It was pretty amazing. I was smiling ear to ear when I got back to the [jockey’s] room.

Down the backstretch, he was cruising along. When I asked him at the quarter pole he took off. Turning for home I knew we were going to win. It was impressive. He could have won by more too. I think he’ll enjoy a little more distance and I think he can improve because he’s still learning.”

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Cristiano’s Dream took to the added ground. He is by multiple Grade I winner Tourist, most notably known for winning the Breeders Cup Turf Mile in 2016 at Santa Anita. The dam of Cristiano’s Dream, Dances On Water, is an In Excess mare who’s produced three winners from three foals including Grade 3 Longacres Mile winner Gold Rush Dancer. Gold Rush Dancer also won the mile and an eighth Snow Chief Stakes at Santa Anita in 2016.

SPECHT STARTS OFF WINTER/SPRING MEET WRACKING OFF WINNERS

Veteran Northern California horsemen Steve Specht was ready to roll with his dozen entrants who raced on Opening Week of the 2021 Winter/Spring meet at Golden Gate. From those 12 starters, 5 made winners circle appearances. Two others finished second or third.

On Opening Day Friday, Specht and his go-to rider, Frank Alvarado, picked up the win in Race 2 with 3-year-old filly Good Time Dolly. One day later, Specht won Race 3 with stakes winner Square Deal and the nightcap (Race 10) with 4-year-old filly Persuasive Lips. Both horses were piloted to victory by Catalino Martinez.

On Sunday, Specht equaled his win record from the previous afternoon. Pour On the Cole was well prepared for his 2021 debut and won Race 3 while Slam Dunk Sermon, making his first start against older rivals as a newly turned 4-year-old, hit the wire first under Alvarado in the featured eighth race, an allowance for sprinters.  

TRAINER BADILLA WITH TWO TOP CONTENDERS AGAINST CLOCKSTRIKESTWELVE IN SATURDAY FEATURE

Two maiden and three allowance races spread throughout the 9-race card at Golden Gate this Saturday make up a good-quality program. The feature in the sequence, Race 7, is a second-level allowance for fillies and mares routing one mile and a sixteenth on Tapeta.

Trainer Manny Badilla starts 5-year-old Northwest Factor and 6-year-old Ziarah, both of who should be listed as major players. Northwest Factor, claimed by Badilla and owner Debra Medlock for $25,000 last July, has gone on to win a pair of allowance races. In fact, her last start in October resulted in a gate to wire win-a victory in which she defeated Mybluebell and Novella, also entered in Saturday’s seventh race.

“Debra [Medlock] has a farm and breeding operation,” said Badilla. “We claimed [Northwest Factor] because she was already a multiple stakes winner in Washington State. She has black type. Once she was in for a $25,000 tag, it was hard to pass up. She’s been training great. Expect her to be on the lead again. They’ll have her to catch.”

Ziarah, a stakes-placed mare, freshens up almost three months since a fourth-place finish behind Northwest Factor, Mybluebell, and Novella. That afternoon, Ziarah went off favored.

“She came out of that last race with a little cold,” said Badilla. “I really think the time between races will do her well. She had a hard year last year-ran in a bunch of races and had to run hard-and the time off should be beneficial. She’s fresh and ready to go. I think we’re going to see her bring her ‘A’ game.”

The main danger to beat the Badilla-trained pair is Clockstrikestwelve, a Jonathan Wong trainee coming off a sharp allowance win at Los Alamitos in December.

“She likes to make one run,” said Wong. “Last time [at Los Alamitos] she got a good, fast pace that set up for her running style. In this race, it doesn’t look like there’s nearly as much early speed, but she’ll be coming on. She’s a mare that’s really confident, really happy and training well right now.”

FINISH LINES: Maggie’s Magic, the first Golden Gate starter for trainer Miguel Ramirez, won the second race on Saturday. Before taking out his trainer’s license last month, Ramirez was the longtime assistant for Bob Hess Sr., who passed away in December. That win was for you Bob!…2020 San Francisco Mile runner up Kiwi’s Dream makes his first start since August in Race 6 at Santa Anita on Saturday, a starter allowance at one mile and an eighth on turf. Tiago Pereira is slated to ride for trainer Victor Trujillo…Great Britain bred Escape The City makes her first start in North America on Saturday for trainer Manny Badilla and owners Ron Charles and Sam Gordon in Santa Anita’s eighth race, a first-level allowance. She has been training at Golden Gate in preparation for her stateside debut…2019 El Camino Real Derby winner Anothertwistafate is the 5-1 third choice on the morning line in Saturday’s $1,000,000 Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park. Joel Rosario rides…Assael Espinoza, the newest member of the Golden Gate Fields jockey colony, is off to a good start at the current meeting. The 21-year-old nephew of Hall of Famer Victor Espinoza won with 4 of his 20 mounts last week…Happy birthday to jockey Brayan Pena, who celebrates his 31^st birthday on Tuesday…Leg D (the second to last leg) of the Stronach 5 wager goes as Race 3 on Friday at Golden Gate. The Stronach 5 has a carryover of just over $97,000!

MANDATORY PAYOUT IN THE GOLDEN PICK SIX ON STRONG “OPENING DAY” CARD

It’s the day we’ve all been waiting for: Opening Day! The 2021 Golden Gate Fields Winter/Spring meet commences this Friday, January 15 and runs through Sunday, June 13. To kick off the meeting, track officials announced earlier this week that there would be a mandatory payout on Friday in the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager. The Golden Pick Six is a 20-cent minimum bet and covers the last six races each day.

On Friday, the Golden Pick Six sequence goes as races 3-8, with post time for the first leg (Race 3) set at 1:49 PM PT. There is a $26,201 carryover heading into the Opening Day Pick Six, with a six figure “new money” pool projected to be added into the pot.  

67 horses were entered in the six-race sequence, equating to 11.1 horses per race. 59 of those horses made the main body of their respective fields, averaging out to 9.8 horses per race. The remaining 8 horses were put on an “also eligible” list, meaning their races “overfilled” and would need defections in order to run on Friday.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WINNERS SET TO TAKE ON STAKES COMPANY ON CAL CUP DAY AT SANTA ANITA

This Saturday, Santa Anita Park hosts Cal-Cup Day, showcasing some of the fastest and most talented California-breds on both ends of the Golden State. 5 of the 11 races are stakes events, and a handful of Northern California winners compete in these races in hopes of earning major cash and a stakes victory to their resumes.

Race 4 is the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint at six furlongs on grass. Drawing the outside post in the field of 9 is Nardini, a newly turned 5-year-old mare conditioned by Andy Mathis. The daughter of Acclamation won a pair of allowance races at Golden Gate Fields last year before running third in the California Distaff in October. World renowned jockey Joel Rosario has the assignment for the first time, which should only be considered a positive.

Steve Sherman sends out 2020 Pike Place Dancer Stakes winner I’m So Anna in Race 6, the $200,000 California Cup Oaks. Last time out in the Soviet Problem Stakes at Los Alamitos, she broke from the outside post in a field of 10, was wide on both turns, but still fought on gallantly to hit the wire fourth in a better than looked effort. She draws a much more desirable post position this time and gets back to turf, with regular rider Ricky Gonzalez back aboard.

Mischievous Path was an eight-length romping winner of a Golden Gate maiden special weight in October and makes his 2021 debut in Race 7 on Saturday, the $200,000 California Cup Derby. Mischievous Path has been prepping for this race down south under the watchful eye of new trainer Carla Gaines, who conditions for Mischievous Path’s owner and breeder Irving Racing Stable. At Golden Gate, the son of Curlin to Mischief was trained by Greg James. He makes his first start going a route of ground in the California Cup Derby while also trying dirt for the first time.

Race 8 is the big one: the $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic. One horse likely to get support in the wagering is Indian Peak, now in the Brian Koriner stable. Indian Peak, previously trained by Quinn Howey, was one of the top 3-year-olds at Golden Gate in 2020, winning a pair of allowance races in decisive fashion and running third in the El Camino Real Derby. He then shipped to Santa Anita and scored a victory in the $150,000 Snow Chief Stakes. Heck Yeah, who ships south for Steve Sherman, has terrific recent form and also looks like a legit player in the Turf Classic. Although his last two wins have come at Golden Gate over the main track Tapeta, he won a stake on turf at Santa Anita in 2018. Joel Rosario rides Indian Peak while Drayden Van Dyke hops aboard Heck Yeah.

Bettor Trip Nick rounds out the list of Northern California stakes horses on Saturday. He’ll be going postward in Race 9, the $150,000 California Cup Sprint, for dirt sprinters at six furlongs. He lost by a large margin in his most recent afternoon appearance, the Cary Grant Stakes at Del Mar, but was a much better than looked second to the talented Baja Sur in the El Dorado Shooter Stakes at Golden Gate two starts ago. As a 2-year-old in 2019, Bettor Trip Nick won the Golden Nugget Stakes and Gold Rush Stakes while in the barn of Bill Delia. Quinn Howey currently trains and employs Drayden Van Dyke to ride.

EL CAMINO REAL DERBY, SAN FRANCISCO MILE HIGHLIGHT WINTER/SPRING MEET STAKES SCHEDULE

Twelve races comprise the 2021 Winter/Spring meet stakes schedule at Golden Gate, released earlier this week by Director of Racing/Racing Secretary Patrick Mackey and his crew.

The 40^th running of the 9-furlong El Camino Real Derby is the first race on the list. To be run on Saturday, February 13, the El Camino Real Derby offers a $100,000 purse and gives the winner 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. For the third straight year, the victor of the El Camino Real Derby will also be granted a free berth into the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, at Pimlico Racecourse in Mid-May.

The second annual Gold Rush Weekend, featuring the highest quality racing possible in Northern California, is your appetizer before the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs one week later. A two-day event, Gold Rush Weekend is set to take place on Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25.

Six stakes are stretched across the April 24 program, including the feature race of the Winter/Spring meet: the $250,000 Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at one mile on turf. The $100,000 California Derby for 3-year-olds is also a well-respected race, along with the $75,000 California Oaks for 3-year-old fillies and the $75,000 Lost In The Fog Stakes for the fastest sprinters on the grounds. The Camilla Urso, a five-furlong turf dash for fillies and mares, and the Golden Poppy for female turf routers completes the half-dozen stakes in what is expected to be an epic afternoon of racing.

The Sunday festivities awards connections who support the California-breeding industry. Both co-featured races are a part of the “Gold Rush Series,” a sequence of stakes races throughout the year for horses that were bred and or sired in California. The Silky Sullivan Stakes, a $75,000 one-mile turf race, is named after the “last to first” fan-favorite in the late 1950’s. The Campanile Stakes, also a one-mile grass affair with a $75,000 purse, is restricted to fillies.

3-year-olds who run well against stakes company in April are likely to eye the May 23, $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes as their next possible target. Sophomores are also eligible to compete against older horses in the prestigious $100,000 All American Stakes on Memorial Day Monday, May 31, while the traditional closing weekend Albany Stakes for turf sprinters will be run on Saturday, June 12.

2021 GOLDEN GATE FIELDS WINTER/SPRING MEET STAKES SCHEDULE*

Saturday, February 13: $100,000 El Camino Real Derby (for 3 YO’s at one mile and an eighth on Tapeta)

Saturday, April 24: $250,000 Grade 3 San Francisco Mile (for 3 YO’s and up at one mile on turf)

Saturday, April 24: $100,000 California Derby (for 3 YO’s at one mile and a sixteenth on Tapeta)

Saturday, April 24: $75,000 California Oaks (for 3 YO fillies at one mile and a sixteenth on Tapeta)

Saturday, April 24: $75,000 Lost In The Fog (3 YO’s and up at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Saturday, April 24: $75,000 Camilla Urso (Fillies and Mares 3 YO’s and up at five furlongs on turf)

Saturday, April 24: $75,000 Golden Poppy (Fillies and mares 3 YO’s and up at one mile and a sixteenth on turf)

Sunday, April 25: $75,000 Silky Sullivan (California-bred 3 YO’s at one mile on turf)

Sunday, April 25: $75,000 Campanile (California-bred 3 YO fillies at one mile on turf)

Sunday, May 23: $75,000 Alcatraz (3 YO’s at one mile on turf)

Monday, May 31: $100,000 All American (3 YO’S and up at one mile on Tapeta)

Saturday, June 12: $50,000 Albany Stakes (3 YO’s and up at five furlongs on turf)

*all info provided is subject to change

FINISH LINES: Happy birthday to trainer Aggie Ordonez, who celebrates her birthday tomorrow. A belated happy birthday wish to conditioner Jedd Josephson, who celebrated his birthday a couple of days ago…Rocktilyoudrop, an impressive maiden winner for trainer Bill Delia in October, has been privately purchased by owner Gary Barber and trainer Peter Miller and makes his first start for the aforementioned new connections in Race 3 on Saturday at Santa Anita…2019 El Camino Real Derby winner Anothertwistafate is bound for the Pegasus Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park next week after a flashy win in the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes at The Great Race Place on January 2…Leg E of the Stronach 5 wager goes as Race 3 on Friday…The Golden Hour Late Pick 4 and Golden Hour Double is back in play with Golden Gate’s resumption of live racing. The ‘Double combines the last race at Santa Anita with the last race at Golden Gate while the ‘Pick 4 mixes the last two races at Santa Anita with the final two races at Golden Gate…First post at Golden Gate on Friday and Sunday is 12:45 PM while Saturday has a first post time of 12:15 PM. We also have a Monday holiday race card this week, with first post that afternoon also 12:45 PM.

BERKELEY, CA – 1/ST RACING is pleased to announce that Golden Gate Fields will resume live racing on Friday, January 15. After extensive testing in collaboration with the Berkeley Public Health Division, it has been determined that the COVID-19 concerns on the campus have decreased to levels to allow the resumption of live racing.

Golden Gate Fields is indebted to both the Berkeley Public Health Division and the Alameda County Public Health Department for their assistance and advice during the period of temporary closure.

As the Golden Gate Fields Racing Office remains closed for in-person business, entries will be taken via telephone for racing on Friday, January 15 on Tuesday, January 12.

As part of the continued COVID-19 safety protocols in place at Golden Gate Fields, we are unable to allow owners to attend training or live racing as we begin this meet. We will continue to monitor this situation and will update the Thoroughbred Owners of California of any changes to this policy.

For more information, please visit www.goldengatefields.com or @GGFRacing.

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 5, 2020)–An iconic figure at Golden Gate Fields for five decades, trainer Bob Hess, Sr. succumbed to the effects of COVID-19 early Saturday morning at age 86. Consistently among the leaders in Northern California dating back to the 1970s, Hess, who was the father of trainer Bob Hess, Jr., began his training career at Agua Caliente in the 1960s, came to Golden Gate in 1971 and was a highly respected conditioner throughout his career.

Initially hospitalized in mid-November with COVID-19 following a test administered by track officials, Hess was subsequently released and then re-admitted when symptoms returned. This heartbreaking news comes just one day after Golden Gate officials announced the continued suspension of live racing through Dec. 25.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the entire Hess family at this time,” said David Duggan, General Manager at Golden Gate Fields. “To lose a longtime trainer and friend is simply heartbreaking to our entire horse racing family.”

Hess, who was born Oct. 10, 1934, was fluent in both Spanish and English. He leaves his wife of 56 years, Maria, and four children, Bob Jr., Howie, Erica and Anna.

When advised Hess had passed away this morning, jockey Abel Cedillo was moved to tears.

“When I was riding up north, he was like a second father to me,” said Cedillo, a Guatemalan native who was the leading rider at Del Mar’s recently concluded Bing Crosby Meeting. “I had so much respect for him. I’m shocked. I’m going to really miss him.”

Golden Gate Fields’ Director of Racing, Patrick Mackey, echoed the sentiments of many in the California racing industry.

“Bob was a wonderful horseman who was always there for his fellow race tracker,” he said. “His stories were legendary. He was a wealth of knowledge and imparted that knowledge to many over the years. He was a great man and his presence here at Golden Gate Fields will be sorely missed.”

Over a distinguished career that saw him saddle 1,592 winners from 10,448 starters, Hess’s runners earned more than $17.2 million. His last winner came on Oct. 29 at Golden Gate with the Thoroughbred Just Like Fred and his final starter ran there on Nov. 8.

Services for Bob Hess, Sr. are pending.

BERKELEY, CA – With the continued regard for the safety and well-being of 1/ST RACING employees, those working on the backstretch and the community at large, and in following the best guidance from local health authorities, Golden Gate Fields’ leadership has decided to continue its temporary suspension of live racing until the scheduled opening day of the winter meet on December 26.  

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Golden Gate Fields has implemented stringent health and safety measures including, strict social distancing, masking policies and regular COVID-19 testing with isolation requirements for any positive cases or identified close contacts.

On November 13, Golden Gate Fields announced a one-week temporary closure to address a COVID-19 outbreak that was then extended until December 4. Since then, all track facilities have undergone thorough cleaning and track-wide COVID-19 testing has been administered to all 1/ST RACING employees and to all those who work on the backstretch. The track will continue testing until all tests are returned negative and will continue to collaborate and share all testing data with the Berkeley Public Health Division (BPHD).

All positive cases are overseen by the BPHD or the neighbouring public health departments, as appropriate, through their respective case managers. Positive cases are required to isolate as per local health protocols and are not able to return to Golden Gate Fields until health clearance has been provided by the BPHD or the corresponding public health department.

The 1,300 horses stabled onsite will continue to receive the daily care and exercise they require.

For more information please visit www.goldengatefields.com or @GGFRacing.

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Media Inquiries

Tiffani Steer, tiffani.steer@stronachgroup.com

BERKELEY, CA – City of Berkeley Public Health continues to work closely with Golden Gate Fields on a significant outbreak where more than 200 people living or working on-site at the racetrack have tested positive for COVID-19. 1/ST RACING, which operates the track, is following all of the City’s recommendations for testing, quarantine, and isolation. The steps they have taken include the following:                        

Every person living or working on-site has been tested and additional testing will be done.

All those who have tested positive are isolated off-site, following federal, state and City guidelines. The track is assisting with off-site housing for those who have tested positive and has arranged for twice daily food delivery to ensure that those individuals do not have to leave isolation and have the essential items they require.

Golden Gate Fields’ on-site medical director, an infectious disease expert, is providing medical consultation to those who live and work at the racetrack.

For those close contacts who have tested negative but still need to quarantine for 14 days, the track is providing daily food delivery and access to medical support as well as the means to safely quarantine, including additional bathrooms and handwashing stations. 

Golden Gate Fields continues to implement health and safety measures including, strict social distancing, masking policies and regular COVID-19 testing with isolation requirements for any positive cases or identified close contacts.

Both Berkeley Public Health and 1/ST RACING will be closely monitoring the situation to follow all local, state and federal guidelines. Should testing identify more cases, further investigation and tracing will be done by Berkeley Public Health and additional isolation and quarantine will be required.

With the continued regard for the safety and well-being of 1/ST RACING employees, those working on the backstretch and the community at large, and in following the best guidance from local health authorities, Golden Gate Fields’ leadership has decided to continue its suspension of live racing through November.

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Golden Gate Fields has implemented stringent health and safety measures including, strict social distancing, masking policies and regular COVID-19 testing with isolation requirements for any positive cases or identified close contacts.

On November 13, Golden Gate Fields announced a one-week temporary closure to address a COVID-19 outbreak. Since then, all track facilities have undergone thorough cleaning and track-wide COVID-19 testing has been administered to all 1/ST RACING employees and to all those who work on the backstretch. All testing data have been shared with the Berkeley Public Health Division (BPHD).

All positive cases are overseen by the BPHD through their case managers. Positive cases are required to isolate as per BPHD protocols and are not able to return to Golden Gate Fields until health clearance has been provided by the BPHD.

The 1,300 horses stabled onsite will continue to receive the daily care and exercise they require.

Golden Gate Fields will continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with the BPHD and will look forward to resuming live racing with the announcement of a reopening date as soon as possible. 

For more information please visit www.goldengatefields.com or @GGFRacing.