Berkeley, Calif. (December 1, 2018)- Southern California shippers continue to dominate stakes races at Golden Gate Fields, with the aforementioned trend continuing in the Gold Rush Stakes for 2-year-olds on Saturday afternoon.

Sent off at odds of 6-1, the Keith Desormeaux trained Sueno stalked the pace before strutting his stuff down the stretch, finishing a length and a half ahead of second place finisher The Creep. Sueno was making his first start off a 3-month layoff in the Gold Rush, having most recently broken his maiden at Del Mar in late August.

“Keith [Desormeuax] told me to let him break good from the gate. He said if he goes to the lead, take it, but if not, ride your race,” said winning jockey Abel Cedillo. “He broke a little slow. I kept him in the race. At the half-mile pole I kept him outside to keep him out of trouble. He’s a nice horse and still has room to improve.”

Sueno stopped the clock for one mile in 1:38.28. He was sired by Kentucky stallion Atriedies and is out of the Quiet American mare Class Above, who won multiple stakes routes as a racehorse. Sueno improved his lifetime record to 2 wins and 1 third from 3 starts, with career earnings of $70,040. The 2-year-old colt is owned by Silverton Hill LLC, who purchased Sueno for $61,000 as a yearling at the 2017 September sale.

Mayor Cobb, a 19-1 longshot who broke his maiden on the turf last month for Golden Gate leading trainer Jonathan Wong, completed the trifecta. Golden Nugget Stakes winner Tivan went off as the 7-5 favorite and stalked the pace before fading in the final furlong, finishing fourth. Spin Lightning, Rally Cat, Gobsmack, Rey Coliman and Mad Luther completed the order of finish.

-30-

OCASIO TO RIDE AT GOLDEN GATE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE FALL MEET

Luis Ocasio, a native of Puerto Rico who won the Eclipse Award for outstanding apprentice jockey in 2016, will ride at Golden Gate Fields for the remainder of the fall meet. Ocasio, represented by agent Gersom Rodriguez, won with 2 of his first 7 Golden Gate Fields mounts and has primarily ridden for leading trainer Jonathan Wong since moving his tack to Northern California.

“I recruited him from Pennsylvania,” said Wong on Wednesday morning. “He obviously has talent. He works hard and is a very patient rider. We’ll see how he does this meet and then go from there.”

As an apprentice, Ocasio won 108 races and earned $2.8 million in purse money-strong statistics which, as previously mentioned, led to a prestigious Eclipse Award for top apprentice jockey. The majority of his riding success in America has come at Parx and Penn National. Before moving to America, Ocasio attended Escuela Vocacional Hipica, a Puerto Rican school for aspiring jockeys. Top young riders such as Irad Ortiz Jr., Jose Ortiz and Evin Roman also learned their craft at Escuela Vocacional Hipica.

GOLD RUSH STAKES FILLED WITH PROMISING 2-YEAR-OLDS

Nine 2-year-olds have been entered to run in the 2018 edition of the $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes. The Gold Rush, a one mile event on Tapeta, goes as Race 7 on the 10-race Saturday afternoon program. First post on Saturday is 12:45 PM PT, with the Golden Rush set to go off at approximately 3:45 PM PT.

Leading the list of local contenders is the Jerry Hollendorfer trained Tivan, winner of the Golden Nugget Stakes on November 10. The son of Indian Evening is undefeated in two career starts and makes his route debut in the Gold Rush. Hollendorfer has always thought highly of Tivan, who will once again be ridden by veteran journeyman Frank Alvarado.

Leading trainer Jonathan Wong saddles a duo of runners in Mad Luther and Mayor Cobb. Mad Luther, private purchased by Wong and co-owners Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano in late September, ran last of six in the 6-furlong Golden Nugget but had previously won an allowance route race at Presque Isle Downs when racing for trainer Teresa Conley. The “other” Wong entrant, Mayor Cobb, faces winners for the first time in the Golden Nugget after a sharp maiden special weight score on turf.

Gobsmack and Rally Cat are two local runners who route for the first time. Gobsmack, trained by Mike Lenzini, broke his maiden in a California-bred six furlong sprint while Rally Cat, conditioned by Blaine Wright, picked up his first career win in a November 4 maiden special weight against open company. Rey Coliman, the runner up finisher in an October 27 allowance race on grass, completes the list of Bay Area-based horses set to battle in the Gold Rush.

A trio of Southern California shippers travel north to compete in the Gold Rush. The Creep, who won a starter allowance at Golden Gate two races ago, recently finished fourth in a salty allowance race at Del Mar for trainer Doug O’Neill and returns to the bayside track for his stakes debut. Meanwhile, Spin Lightning, from the Jeff Mullins barn, broke his maiden at first asking in August at Del Mar before finishing off the board in two straight stakes races: the Grade I Del Mar Futurity and the Zuma Beach Stakes. Sueno rounds out the list of Southern California entrants; the Keith Desormeaux trainee broke his maiden at the 80k maiden claiming level at Del Mar on August 31 and races for the first time since the aforementioned maiden triumph.

The 2018 $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes

#1 Mad Luther: Jockey Catalino Martinez/trainer Jonathan Wong

#2 Sueno: Abel Cedillo/Keith Desormeaux

#3 Spin Lightning: Ricky Gonzalez/Jeff Mullins

#4 Rally Cat: Julien Couton/Blaine Wright

#5 The Creep: Juan Hernandez/Doug O’Neill

#6 Tivan: Frank Alvarado/Jerry Hollendorfer

#7 Mayor Cobb: William Antongeorgi III/Jonathan Wong

#8 Rey Coliman: Cristobal Herrera/Felix Rondan

#9 Gobsmack: Kevin Orozco/Michael Lenzini

WINNING BEYER SPEED FIGURES

***Winners of last week’s races***

THURSDAY

Race 1: Tangled Up in Ju-54

Race 2: Neon Gypsy-54

Race 3: Perfect Come Back-77

Race 4: Taima the Hawk-75

Race 5: Coastal Starlite-47

Race 6: Rprettyboyfloyd-74

Race 7: English Royality-49

Race 8: Fire to the Wire-74

FRIDAY

Race 1: Night of Idiots-68

Race 2: My Audubon-62

Race 3: Coco Bee-68

Race 4: Tizno’s Dilemma-67
Race 5: Anitanewmercedes-55
Race 6: Cedar Rapids-67
Race 7: King’s Peak-70
Race 8: Tomlin-79
Race 9: Run Like Rhett-76
Race 10: Private Marini-72

Race 11: Ice Cream Fame-61

SATURDAY

Race 1: Hot N Breezy-42

Race 2: Fort Courage-77

Race 3: C I M Sweet-44

Race 4: Blueberry Acclaim-63

Race 5: Mr. Gee’s Journey-80

Race 6: Music Babe-69

Race 7: Touched by Autism-88

Race 8: Sequentially-74

Race 9: Editore-95

Race 10: Gallant Heat-60

SUNDAY

Race 1: Courtship-75

Race 2: Giant Mark-81
Race 3: Capall-74
Race 4: Native Chieftain-59
Race 5: Joejoe’s Kingdom-64
Race 6: Rideo-83
Race 7: Blessed Lady-66
Race 8: Clem Labine-57
Race 9: Oh Marvelous Me-75

Race 10:  She’s an Eagle-54

FINISH LINES: With eight racing days left at the current meet, William Antongeorgi III sits atop the jockey standings with 23 victories, three ahead of Abel Cedillo…Jonathan Wong has run away with the trainer standings; the 2018 winter/spring and summer meet leading trainer has made 23 trips to the winners circle, 13 more than second place conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer…Jockey Frank Alvarado is six wins shy of 3,500 career wins…Oakland Stakes winner Touched by Autism is named for a great cause; Johnny Taboada, who owns the chestnut horse, frequently names his horses to spread awareness for autism. In fact, 62-1 shot Autism Awareness won the 2008 El Camino Real Derby for Taboada in what is considered to be the biggest upset in El Camino Real Derby history…Trainer Bill Delia claimed Rideo for $5,000 in 2017. The son of Candy Ride most recently won a second level allowance race last Sunday for Delia, who also co-owns the gelding with owner Ray Pagano. Rideo is 5 for 9 in 2018 with earnings of $70,080 this year. Great claim…The Golden Pick Six jackpot wager carryover has climbed to $15,506 heading into Thursday’s card…Happy birthday to trainer Ari Herbertson, who turns one year older this Sunday.

Berkeley, Calif. (November 24, 2018)- A duo of exciting stakes races highlighted the Saturday card at Golden Gate Fields. Touched by Autism, trained by Marsha Stortz, pulled off a 13-1 upset in the $50,000 Oakland Stakes, and two races later, 2017 Berkeley Handicap winner Editore successfully defended his title in the 2018 edition.

Touched by Autism, ridden by Juan Hernandez, stalked the pace before surging late to win the Oakland Stakes by a neck. The Oakland, for 3-year-olds and upward, was run at the distance of six furlongs and completed in a final time of 1:09.16. Touched by Autism picked up his first career stakes win with the Oakland Stakes triumph for owner Johnny Taboada. Awesome Anywhere, who went off as the 1-2 favorite after two dominant allowance wins at Santa Anita, stalked the pace and flattened out in the final sixteenth, finishing third. Sunset Dragunn, off at 30-1 odds, set the pace and repelled the challenge of Awesome Anywhere, holding on for second. Touched by Autism has won 8 races from 28 lifetime starts, with 3 seconds and 3 thirds. The son of Sierra Sunset has earned $261,815 in his 28-race career.

In the Grade 3 Berkley Handicap, Editore stalked the pace before outfinishing second place finisher Camino Del Paraiso and third place finisher Flamboyant in a 3-way driving finish. Editore, who won the 2018 Berkeley by a head, earned $60,000 from the $100,000 purse and increased his career earnings to $287,905. Editore has a lifetime record of 5 wins, 4 seconds and 3 thirds from 21 lifetime starts.

Live racing resumes on Sunday afternoon. First post on the 10-race card is 12:45 PM PT.

-30-

Berkeley, Calif. (November 23, 2018)- Tomlin gave jockey Frank Alvarado his second stakes win at the fall meet when the 2-year-old filly was up on a contested pace early before drawing off from her competition late to win the $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante at Golden Gate Fields on Friday afternoon. The Golden Gate Debutante is the only 2-year-old filly sprint stake at the current fall meeting.

Tomlin, trained by Steve Specht, won the six-furlong Tapeta contest by 2 and a half lengths. La Aguililla, a recent first-out maiden special weight winner, ran a gallant second while November allowance victor Swing Thoughts completed the top three placings. Tomlin stopped the clock for six furlongs in 1:09.88 seconds.

Owners Fairview LLC purchased Tomlin. for $200,000 at the Keeneland 2017 yearling sale. Tomlin is by top North American stallion Distorted Humor and out of a stakes winning Dehere mare named Belle of Perintown. With the stakes triumph, Tomlin improved her overall record to 3 wins and 1 third from 5 career starts, with career earnings of $71,820.

-30-

GOLDEN GATE DEBUTANTE FEATURED ON 11-RACE FRIDAY CARD 

A field of 10 two-year-old fillies signed up to take part in the $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante this Friday, November 23.

Among the list of main contenders is Brahm’s Command and Tomlin, both who cut back in distance after second and third place finishes, respectively, in the one-mile Pike Place Dancer on turf last month. Before the Pike Place Dancer, Brahm’s Command broke her maiden going five and a half furlongs on this Tapeta surface while Tomlin defeated allowance runners, also sprinting on the Golden Gate main track.

A number of recent maiden victors make their debut against winners in the Golden Gate Debutante. Noble Contessa, from the Mike McCarthy barn at Santa Anita, went to the lead and never looked back in a one-mile maiden special weight at Golden Gate on October 27 and cuts back from a route to a sprint in this spot. Sarazona Two broke her maiden facing Cal-bred fillies on November 10 and wheels back quickly for this race while La Aguililla, who pulled off a 16-1 upset in her career debut, defeated five other rivals in an open company maiden event on November 3.

Swing Thoughts has the most experience out of anyone in the field, with 9 career starts to her name. The Ed Moger Jr. trainee recently won an allowance optional claiming race, defeating Silk Ransom and Boomchicaboom, both who are also slated to run in this race. Jerry Hollendorfer and owner KMN Racing campaign two contenders in the 2018 Debutante: Silk Ransom and Stealthediamonds, who won an allowance race two starts ago sprinting over this track. She most recently ran last in the Pike Place Dancer Stakes going a route of ground and gets back to sprinting, which is arguably her best game at this point in time.

Dreaming About You completes the field, having just run second in a starter allowance race to Southern California shipper The Creep. The Dan Markle trainee is the fifth runner in the race that cuts back from a route to a sprint, having just run a mile on the lawn.

The Golden Gate Debutante goes as Race 8 on the 11-race program. First post time on Friday afternoon is 12:15 PT, with the Debutante set to go off at approximately 3:45 PM PT.

The GG Debutante field from the rail out: Silk Ransom (A. Cedillo, J. Hollendorfer), Noble Contessa (R. Gonzalez, M. McCarthy), Dreaming About You (J. Couton, D. Markle), Brahms Command (F. Duran, G. James), Sarazona Two (C. Martinez, F. Rondan), Boomchicaboom (W. Antongeorgi III, J. Wong), Stealthediamonds (J. Hernandez, J. Hollendorfer), La Aguillila (J. Matias, R. March), Swing Thoughts (A. Gomez, E. Moger Jr.), Tomlin (F. Alvarado, S. Specht).

WRIGHT, HERNANDEZ & REDEKOP WIN TWO STAKES’ WITH CITY ZIP PROGENY 

Trainer Blaine Wright, jockey Juan Hernandez and owner Peter Redekop teamed up to win a pair of stakes races at Zia Park in Hobbs, New Mexico on Wednesday afternoon. Zia held their biggest race day of the year on Thanksgiving Eve-a day in which 7 stakes’ were featured on their 10-race card.

In Race 5, 4-year-old filly Alliford Bay won her fifth race in a row when capturing the $100,000 Zia Park Distaff going six furlongs. With the victory under her belt, Alliford Bay improved her record to 8 wins, 1 second and 1 third with career earnings of $252,247. This was the seventh stakes victory for Alliford Bay, who was purchased by Redekop and bloodstock agent Alistair Roden for $150,000 as a 2-year-old. Alliford Bay has now won stakes races at four different racetracks: Emerald Downs, Hastings Racecourse, Sacramento and Zia Park.

Two races later, Hernandez guided the Wright trained Anyportinastorm to a wire-to-wire score in the $100,000 Zia Park Sprint. Anyportinastorm completed the six-furlong event in a sizzling fast 1:07.92 seconds, only about three-quarters of a second off the track record for six panels, while defeating Grade 3 winner and Grade I placed gelding Stallwalkin Dude in the process. The Zia Park Sprint was the first stakes win for Anyportinastorm, who also completed the trifecta in the Lost in the Fog Stakes at Golden Gate earlier in the year. Anyportinastorm, bought at the 2016 OBS 2-year-old in training sale for $320,000, holds a consistent record of four wins, one second and three thirds in nine lifetime starts.

The Kentucky stallion City Zip, who stood at Lane’s End Farm for $50,000 in 2017, sired both Wright stakes winners. Unfortunately, City Zip was euthanized at the age of 19 that same year due to chronic food problems. He has produced six champions and over 75 black type winners since beginning stud duty in 2002.

TWO STAKES’ LISTED ON SATURDAY 10-RACE PROGRAM  

When entries for Saturday were released by the Golden Gate Fields racing office on Wednesday afternoon, a terrific 10-race program filled the overnight.

Among the races this Saturday are a pair of stakes’: the $50,000 Oakland Stakes for sprinters and the $100,000 Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap for 3-year-olds and upward going one mile.

93 runners were entered in 10 races on Saturday, which averages out to 9.3 horses per race. The Late Pick 4 is comprised of the Oakland and Berkeley, along with a 12-horse starter allowance race (with 1 also eligible) and an 11-horse maiden claimer that goes as the nightcap. First post time on Saturday: 12:45 PM

EIGHT SPRINTERS SET TO GO IN THE OAKLAND STAKES

The $50,000 Oakland Stakes, which has been carded as Race 7 on Saturday, was originally scheduled for last Saturday, November 17. The Friday and Saturday cards last week were cancelled, however, due to poor air quality from the Northern California fires, and the Oakland was moved back one week.

Leading the 2018 Oakland Stakes field is Awesome Anywhere, coming off two dominating allowance wins at Santa Anita since being claimed by Jerry Hollendorfer three starts ago. The 4-year-old gelding is 2 for 3 on the Golden Gate Fields main track, having previously been in the barn of trainer Tim McCanna.

Hollendorfer saddles a second Oakland Stakes contender in Annie’s Candy, who makes his first start for Team Hollendorfer since being claimed for $40,000 last month. The Twirling Candy gelding won the Oak Tree Sprint at Pleasanton in June and most recently won a $40,000 claimer, defeating Mah Gellen, who is also entered to compete in this spot.

Trainer Manny Badilla tightens the girth on a pair of Oakland Stakes runners: J C’s Nightcap and Midnight Ming. J C’s Nightcap, a 4-year-old Texas bred gelding, finished behind Zia Park Sprint winner Anyportinastorm two starts ago when racing on this Tapeta surface. His last start, an off-the-board finish, came on turf. Midnight Ming won an allowance race earlier this month and wheels back in three weeks for this stakes try.

Sir Vronski is a win machine. The 7-year-old is 10 for 13 on the Golden Gate Fields Tapeta and has won 8 of 15 races when traveling the distance of six furlongs. Touched By Autism, who ran fourth to Berkeley Handicap contender Gabo’s Macondo in the mile and an eighth Bulldog Stakes, cuts back in distance for a try at a sprint stakes win, while Sunset Dragunn completes the field, having finished well behind Touched by Autism in his past two starts. That said, both runs were on dirt and he gets back to his preferred surface, Tapeta, a surface that all four of Sunset Dragunn’s lifetime wins have come over.

Post time for the Oakland Stakes is 3:45 PM PT. Here is the field, starting with the inside post position: Touched by Autism (J. Hernandez, M. Stortz), Sunset Dragunn (F. Duran, T. Rivera), Awesome Anywhere (F. Alvarado, J. Hollendorfer), Mah Gellin (C. Martinez, B. Wright), Annie’s Candy (A. Cedillo, J. Hollendorfer), Midnight Ming (W. Antongeorgi III, M. Badilla), J C’s Nightcap (A. Sanguinetti, M. Badilla), Sir Vronski (A. Gomez, Q. Howey).

LARGE FIELD GOES FOR THE GOLD IN THE BERKELEY HANDICAP

12 of the 17 nominations for the $100,000 Grade 3 Berkley Handicap have opted to run in the race, which is the feature event of the fall meet at Golden Gate. The Berkeley, to be run at a mile and a sixteenth on Tapeta, goes as Race 9 on Saturday. Post time is 4:45 PM.

Leading the cast of characters is defending champion Editore. Paulo Lobo trains and Brice Blanc, who put up a flawless ride aboard Editore in last year’s Berkeley, is back in the irons for this year’s edition. Another Southern California shipper, Flamboyant, won the Grade 3 $200,000 San Francisco Mile last spring on turf and is also shipping in to compete in this spot for trainer Paddy Gallagher. Julien Couton, who rode Flamboyant in the ‘Mile, retains the mount.

Other stakes winners signed include Bulldog Stakes victor Gabo’s Macondo and old-pro G.G. Ryder, who won the San Francisco Mile in 2015 and has rounded back into good form since taking a vacation this summer. More Power To Him, from the Faith Taylor barn, ran second in the Bulldog and will try to turn the tables on Gabo’s Macondo in this spot.

Bella Luma is an interesting item for the Berkeley; the chestnut filly by Ministers Wild Cat faces boys in this spot. She is no slouch, though; the Ed Moger Jr. trainee won the Golden Poppy Stakes on turf last spring and most recently defeated a salty group of filly and mare allowance foes over this Tapeta surface on September 23.

Camino Del Paraiso freshens up after a poor showing in the Rolling Green Stakes behind Grade 2 winner Alert Bay at the summer meet. The hard knocking California bred gelding ran third behind Editore in this race last year and won a second level allowance race by 4 lengths in April, which was his last start over the Tapeta surface. Mithqaal, who ran second in the Rolling Green, freshens up and makes his first start over a synthetic surface since April.

Humboldt County marathon winner Engram, impressive allowance winner Fawree, recent third place allowance finisher Montu and likely pacesetter Black Tie Event complete the field.

The 2018 Berkeley Field from the inside post position: Bella Luma (C. Martinez, E. Moger Jr.), Black Tie Event (H. Martinez, A. Stabile), Montu (A. Solis, I. Tamayo), More Power to Him (A. Gomez, F. Taylor), G. G. Ryder (J. Hernandez, J. Hollendorfer), Fawree (A. Gryder, A. Mathis), Flamboyant (J. Couton, P. Gallagher), Mithqaal (W. Antongeorgi III, J. Wong), Editore (B. Blanc, P. Lobo), Engram (F. Monroy, Q. Miller), Gabo’s Macondo (A. Cedillo, J. Wong), Camino Del Paraiso (R. Gonzalez, O.J. Jauregui).

WINNING BEYER SPEED FIGURES

Thursday

Race 1: Frisky Fox-44

Race 2: Lindas Black Comet-52

Race 3: Fiesty Coach-51

Race 4: Flashy Hero-68

Race 5: Song of Thorns-59

Race 6: Just Hit Play-58

Race 7: Adroit-57

Sunday

Race 1: Woodford Surprise-50
Race 2: Lady Chrome-84
Race 3: Hollywood Hills-54
Race 4: Mayor Cobb-54
Race 5: Xerneas-58
Race 6: Berryessa-74
Race 7: Detangler-68
Race 8: Rose Princess-68

Race 9: Bombardeo-67

FINISH LINES: William Antongeorgi III maintains a five-win lead in the jockey standings over Abel Cedillo…Jonathan Wong sits atop the trainer standings with 18 victories, eight more than Jerry Hollendorfer…Owner Cindy Desimone reported on her Facebook page this weekend that 2015 Oakland Stakes winner Star Student is doing very well and recovering after bouts with colic and laminitis earlier in the year…The Golden Pick Six jackpot pool has climbed to $58,216 heading into Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day card…Remember, we have EARLY FIRST POST TIMES on Thursday and Friday. The first race on Thanksgiving Day Thursday is scheduled to go off at 11:15 AM while the first race on Friday will be run at 12:15 PM…Golden Gate Fields would like to wish all horsemen, fans, horseplayers, and backside and frontside personnel a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

STORMIN BUNNY A BARGAIN BUY FOR RIVERA AND WONG

Owner Dennis Wong went to the 2016 CTBA Northern California August Sale with modest expectations. He ended up purchasing two yearlings: a Pamplemouse filly that never panned out as a racehorse and a Stormin Fever filly out of the Atticus mare La Lapin. During her racing career, La Lapin ran 2-times and failed to hit the board on both occasions. However, since her retirement from racing in late 2008, La Lapin had produced two runners: an 0 for 5 maiden and 6-time winner La Sorta, who won a minor stake at Fonner Park in Nebraska.

“I said, ‘This is the one,'” said Dennis Wong when describing his initial thought on whether or not to bid on the Stormin Fever filly. “I was very surprised to see that she only went for $1,500 but it was great for me because I was on a limited budget.”

“I had my former trainer Donna Hjort help me check out her confirmation,” continued Wong. “I liked her because she was by Stormin Fever and my wife was looking at the Stallion Directory and she thought that Stormin Fever was a good-looking sire. [La Lapin] had dropped a stakes winner, too, so that was appealing.”

Wong named La Lapin’s third filly Stormin Bunny, and within no time, Stormin Bunny was broken in at Efrain Guzman’s ranch in Gilroy, California. Once broken, she was sent to ex-jockey Roberto Gonzalez’s ranch in Brentwood to grow up some more. During her time at both ranches, it was clear that Stormin Bunny had class.

“Everyone that was associated with ‘Bunny said that she had the looks of a good one,” said Wong. “It was exciting to hear.”

Once Stormin Bunny was ready to train at the track in 2017, Wong was ready to give his filly to Donna Hjort. Hjort, however, told Wong that she was going to train at Turf Paradise and Emerald Downs for the foreseeable future. With Wong looking to run his filly in the Bay Area, Hjort recommended he give the filly to Tirso Rivera, an underrated trainer at Golden Gate who Hjort relayed was a solid horseman that was up front with his owners.

And with that, Wong soon gave Rivera a chance to train Stormin Bunny. A couple months went by and, as she prepared for her career debut, Rivera indicated to Wong that he thought Stormin Bunny had talent. He was still reserved in his expectations, nonetheless.

On November 11, 2017, Stormin Bunny made her career debut against a field of seven other 25k maiden claimers. At off-odds of 9-2, the 2-year-old filly sat at the back of the field before producing a strong rally in the final quarter mile, blowing past her rivals late to win the contest by a length and three quarters. Shortly after the maiden breaking score, Stormin Bunny was sent to the farm with an undisclosed, minor setback.

Eight and a half months later, Stormin Bunny made her return to the races in an August 25 allowance race against older fillies and mares. Stormin Bunny raced in midfield early on before having to steady twice during the race. She was still able to make up ground on a number of experienced, older fillies and mares, however, and completed the trifecta. The third place finish left Wong and Rivera impressed.

Stormin Bunny improved after the loss, which so far is the only defeat on her near-perfect resume. ‘Bunny has won two additional races since August: a starter allowance in September and, most recently, an allowance race last Thursday. When asked about future plans for Stormin Bunny, Wong gave a matter-of-fact answer.

“Tirso [Rivera] is very patient with his horses so we will probably just let her run through her allowance conditions,” said Wong. “You have to get lucky in this business and so far we’ve gotten very lucky. She’s a neat filly. In the barn, she’s really laid back. She loves her carrots and peppermints. She’ll even have some potato chips from time to time.”

Stormin Bunny has won 3 races from 4 starts, with career earnings of $47,352. For Wong, the experience has been one of much satisfaction.

“I’m just fortunate to be along for the ride,” said Wong with a smile. “Hopefully she’ll keep moving forward and improving. Tirso and his wife Beth, who is a big part of the barn and does great work, have done a fantastic job with ‘Bunny.”

TOP BAY AREA SPRINTERS CLASH IN THE OAKLAND STAKES

A strong field of 9 sprinters are entered to compete in this year’s $50,000 Oakland Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward. The Oakland Stakes, a 6-furlong sprint on the Tapeta, is scheduled for Race 7 on the 9-race card and has an approximate post time of 3:45 PM PT.

Leading the cast of characters is Awesome Anywhere, a Jerry Hollendorfer trainee who has won two allowance races at Santa Anita by a combined 10 and a half-lengths since being claimed by Hollendorfer and co-owner George Todaro for $32,000 in September. Frank Alvarado, who rode Tivan to a win in the Golden Nugget Stakes for Hollendorfer last week, also rides this older gelding by Awesome of Course.

Hollendorfer and Todaro also start Annie’s Candy, winner of the Oak Tree Sprint at Pleasanton this summer. Hollendorfer and George Todaro recently purchased the 5-year-old out of an October 28, 40k claiming race last month-a race in which Annie’s Candy won. Abel Cedillo has the call.

Quick and Silver is a 14 time winner on the Golden Gate Tapeta and makes his second start off a four month break for trainer Blaine Wright. The grey son of Dunkirk won the Lost in the Fog Stakes over this track in 2017. Wright also tightens the girth on Mah Gellin, who was last seen finishing second to Annie’s Candy in the aforementioned October 28 claimer.

Manuel Badilla is the third trainer in the race that saddles two runners: allowance winners Midnight Ming and J C’s Nightcap, who draw posts 1 and 2, respectively. Sir Vronski, from the Quinn Howey barn, is a win machine: the 7-year-old gelding has won 21 of 37 lifetime starts, with a strong 10 for 13 record on the Golden Gate Tapeta. Touched By Autistim ships to Golden Gate after a fourth place finish in the two-turn Bulldog Stakes at Fresno while Sunset Dragunn, who finished behind Touch By Autism in his past two starts, makes his first start off a 3 and a half month vacation for trainer Tirso Rivera. Sunset Dragunn returns to a track he loves; all 4-career wins for the Rivera trainee have come over this Tapeta track.

Race 7 on Saturday: 2018 Oakland Stakes (3:45 PM PT)

#1 Midnight Ming: William Antongeorgi/Manny Badilla

#2 J C’s Nightcap: Anne Sanguinetti/Manny Badilla

#3 Annie’s Candy: Abel Cedillo/Jerry Hollendorfer

#4 Sunset Dragunn: Pedro Terrero/Tirso Rivera

#5 Touched by Autism: Julien Couton/Marcia Stortz

#6 Quick and Silver: Juan Hernandez/Blaine Wright

#7 Sir Vronski: Alejandro Gomez/Quinn Howey

#8 Mah Gellin: Catalino Martinez/Blaine Wright

#9 Awesome Anywhere: Frank Alvarado/Jerry Hollendorfer

TIVAN IMPRESSIVE IN GOLDEN NUGGET

Some handicappers and horsemen say that the biggest step up in class is from facing maiden company to competing against proven winners. Tivan, a 2-year-old California bred gelding, made his first start against winners in the $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes last Sunday and passed the class test with flying colors, sitting off the pace before coming with a ferocious rally down the lane to surge past early pacesetter Tribal War Chant in the final yards. Jerry Hollendorfer conditions the 2-year-old gelding, who was ridden to victory by veteran jockey Frank Alvarado.

“I knew they were going fast in the beginning,” said Alvarado. “This is the kind of horse that you have to let him break and let him settle down. At the three-eighths pole, I had to make up my mind on whether to go inside or outside. When you’re on the best horse, it’s safer to go wide, so that’s what I did. By the three-sixteenths pole, I knew we had it. He exploded [down the stretch] and gave me everything he had.”

Tivan was bred and is currently owned by KMN Racing LLC. With the Golden Nugget win in his pocket, Tivan has won 2 of 2 lifetime starts with career earnings of $60,350. He completed the six furlong Golden Nugget Stakes in 1:09.94.

BEYER SPEED FIGURES
***The Beyer speed figures for last week’s winners***

THURSDAY

Race 1: Winter’s Nest-62
Race 2: It’s Alexus-73
Race 3: Nowhere Man-76
Race 4: Oursensationalgirl-72
Race 5: Stormin Bunny-75
Race 6: Tune to Win-85
Race 7: Heavenly Holiday-44

FRIDAY

Race 1: Bellasario-50
Race 2: Pepper Crown-70
Race 3: Tiz Indy-72
Race 4: Sunrise Journey-81
Race 5: Hill Croome-75
Race 6: Fawree-83
Race 7: Plate Side-80
Race 8: Spirited Guy-42

SATURDAY

Race 1: Baby’s Got Class-57
Race 2: Aalsmeer-82
Race 3: Sarazona Two-43
Race 4: Music Babe-72
Race 5: Happy Issue-67
Race 6: Fantastic Five-58
Race 7: Tivan-74
Race 8: Dutton’s Legend-80
Race 9: Ballerina Headline-55

SUNDAY

Race 1: Macho Gabacho-74
Race 2: Home Run Kitten-82
Race 3: Atticism-72
Race 4:Independent Indy-64
Race 5: Pioneerofthestorm-75
Race 6: Crimson Cloud-69
Race 7: Holdthismiss-78
Race 8: Iz Invincible-78
Race 9: Big Ceas-62

FINISH LINES: We are half way through the fall meet and William Antongeorgi III (with 20 wins at the meet) has a 5-victory lead in the jockey standings over Abel Cedillo (15), Juan Hernandez (14) and Catalino Martinez (14)…Jonathan Wong has shot away in the trainer standings. Wong has made 17 trips to the winner’s circle this meet, 7-better than Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer…Saturday was a pretty great day for veteran rider Frank Alvarado. Not only did the Panamanian jockey win 2 races, including the Golden Nugget Stakes with 2-year-old Tivan, but he also celebrated his 50^th birthday…Jockey Francisco Monroy booted home two longshot winners on Saturday, one which helped prompt a $36,000+ carryover in Sunday’s Late Pick 5. In the first race, Monroy was aboard 25-1 first time starter Baby’s Got Class, who upset four other rivals in the maiden event. Five races later, Monroy guided 51-1 longshot Fantastic Five to a neck win in a maiden 20k claimer…2014 San Francisco Mile winner Pepper Crown defeated lower level claimers in Race 2 last Friday. The 8-year-old horse, who is 11 for 53 lifetime with career earnings of $459,073, is owned by Steve Moger and conditioned by his brother, Ed Moger Jr…The Golden Pick Six jackpot carryover has reached $47,993 heading into Thursday’s card…Happy birthday Golden Gate Fields Vice President and General Manager David Duggan, who celebrates his birthday this Sunday…Happy belated birthday to Bay Area Media legend Sam Spear, who recently celebrated a birthday.

 

Berkeley, Calif. (November 10, 2018)-Some handicappers and horsemen say that the biggest step up in class is from facing maiden company to competing against proven winners. Tivan, a 2-year-old California bred gelding, made his first start against winners in the $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes on Sunday at Golden Gate Fields and passed the class test with flying colors, sitting off the pace before coming with a ferocious rally down the lane to surge past early pacesetter Tribal War Chant in the final yards. Jerry Hollendorfer conditions the 2-year-old gelding, who was ridden to victory by veteran jockey Frank Alvarado. Alvarado celebrated his fiftieth birthday on Sunday.

“I knew they were going fast in the beginning,” said Alvarado. “This is the kind of horse that you have to let him break and let him settle down. At the three-eighths pole, I had to make up my mind on whether to go outside or inside. When you’re on the best horse, it’s safer to go wide, so that’s what I did. By the three-sixteenths pole, I knew we had it. He exploded [down the stretch] and gave me everything he had.”

Tribal War Chant, who went off as the 8-5 favorite, dueled on the lead with eventual fourth place finisher The White Shadow and held off Midnight Special for third, finishing three-quarters of a length behind the winner. Daddy Jones and Mad Luther completed the order of finish.

Tivan was bred and is currently owned by KMN Racing LLC. With the Golden Nugget win in his pocket, Tivan has won 2 of 2 lifetime starts with career earnings of $60,350. He completed the six furlong Golden Nugget Stakes in 1:09.94.

-30-

ADMINISTER KEEPS FINDING MORE AT AGE 9

Trainer Blaine Wright has a strong cast of characters in his stable; a barn that includes stakes winners Alert Bay, Alliford Bay, Riser and a number of up and coming 2-year-olds who appear to have plenty of raw talent. But amongst the many talented equines that live along the Wright shedrow is a notable gelding, 9-year-old Administer, who deserves plenty of recognition.

Last Friday, Administer made his first start since being sidelined for a five and a half month vacation. Administer, a veteran of the game that clearly knows what his job is, sat at the back of the field in a $10,000 claimer before surging past his rivals down the stretch to win Friday’s third race.

Administer has won 41 races, with 10 trips to the winners circle and 19 other in the money finishes. In 2013 the son of Bernstein had a banner year, running third in the Grade 3 All American Stakes for routers before cutting back in distance and finishing second in the Oakland Stakes for sprinters. In 2014, he placed in the Lost in the Fog Stakes and won a number of allowance races, and continued to race against allowance company and high caliber claimers until last year. For Wright, it is impossible not to admire the old pro.

“Administer came to us early in his 3-year-old year. He had developed bad habits as a young horse and basically refused to train,” said Wright. “He’ll still do it from time to time, even as a soon-to-be 10-year-old. Tirso Rivera, Pedro Terrero, Monty Turner of Utah and his pony girl, Brittany Moore, have really helped me figure this horse out and deserve a lot of credit.”

As to be expected, most horses will lose a step or two as they get into their 8, 9, even 10-year-old careers. But that doesn’t stop Administer from doing his job-a job which he clearly still loves-and racing at whatever level Blaine Wright and owner Peter Redekop believe the gelding can be effective. Administer’s entire campaign as a racehorse has come under the care and planning of Team Wright and Redekop, who adore the gelding and consider him a barn favorite.

“He’s a big part of the family. I say he’s almost part dog,” said Wright. “He’s got a personality for sure. He’ll eat any kind of treat but starlight peppermints certainly are his favorite. He was the first horse I ever trained for Peter Redekop. He’s a special horse in the barn.”

GOLDEN NUGGET STAKES SHINES LIGHT ON TALENTED 2-YEAR-OLDS

The feature race of the week goes as Race 7 on Saturday: the $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds. A half dozen entrants are slated to compete in the six-furlong contest.

Leading trainer Jonathan Wong saddles a pair of runners in the 2018 Golden Nugget: Mad Luther and The White Shadow. Mad Luther makes his first start for the Wong barn after a pair of wins going a route of ground at Presque Isle Downs. The White Shadow broke his maiden at first asking on September 9 and came back to run second, beaten a nose by undefeated 2-year-old Rickey B in an allowance race at Fresno.

Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer has a Golden Nugget contender in Tivan, a first out maiden special weight winner against California-bred company. Frank Alvarado picks up the mount for injured Irving Orozco, who was aboard in the career debut. Another maiden special weight victor, Tribal War Chant, won his second lifetime start and makes his first start against winners in the Golden Nugget for trainer Ed Moger Jr. and jockey Abel Cedillo. Midnight Special, who won as the favorite in an October 7 dirt race at Fresno, rounds out the listen of recent maiden special weight winners signed on to run in the Golden Nugget.

Daddy Jones completes the field of six. The Bill Delia trainee broke his maiden for $25,000 in his third lifetime start on October 19 and draws the rail post position in his stakes debut.

$50,000 GOLDEN NUGGET STAKES

#1 Daddy Jones (Trainer Bill Delia, Jockey Catalino Martinez)

#2 Midnight Special (Trainer Bob Hess Sr., Jockey Pedro Terrero)

#3 Mad Luther (Trainer Jonathan Wong, Jockey Juan Hernandez)

#4 Tribal War Chant (Trainer Ed Moger Jr., Jockey Abel Cedillo)

#5 The White Shadow (Trainer Jonathan Wong, Jockey William Antongeorgi II)

#6 Tivan (Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, Jockey Frank Alvarado)

BEYER SPEED FIGURES

***Winners of last week’s races and the Beyer speed figure they received***

Thursday:

Race 1: Priest Lake-36

Race 2: English Royality-43

Race 3: Administer-76

Race 4: Stellarium-48

Race 5: Scurry-69

Race 6: Lady Chrome-86

Race 7: Two the Punch-74

Friday:

Race 1: Wicked Ultimatum-63

Race 2: Rainbow North-73

Race 3: Meet Ya in Ky-44

Race 4: Make Money for Me-66

Race 5: Torpedo Away-53

Race 6: Swing Thoughts-67

Race 7: Special Season-68

Race 8: Sound Logic-69

Race 9: Midnight Ming-76

Saturday:

Race 1: Dynamite Ride-77
Race 2: Vonhra-56
Race 3: Qualifying-56
Race 4: Drink Til You Drop-78
Race 5: La Aguililla-62
Race 6: Shot of a Lifetime-76
Race 7: Madame Mousse-71

Race 8: I’m An Eight-72

Race 9: C C the Bartender-58
Race 10: Fiery Lady-77

Sunday:

Race 1: I’m Not Fancy-43

Race 2: Aries-63
Race 3: Luker-60
Race 4: Rally Cat-68
Race 5: My Discretion-78
Race 6: Spring Heat-79
Race 7: Dignitaire-65

Race 8: Buttie-76
Race 9: Jimmythisnjimthat-62

FINISH LINES: Edwin Gonzalez picked up 3 wins from 9 mounts to begin his Golden Gate Fields meet. The journeyman rider joined the GGF jockey colony last week…Congratulations to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who won once more with 4-year-old filly Vasilika in last Sunday’s Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes at Santa Anita. The Grade I winning daughter of Skipshot has won 8 straight races since being claimed by Hollendorfer for $40,000 in February…Trainer Ari Herbertson saddles multiple Golden Gate allowance winner Pyscho Sister in the Kathryn Crosby Stakes at Del Mar this Friday. The $75,000 stake is a mile turf route for fillies and mares…2017 California Derby winner Choo Choo races in the $75,000 Let It Ride Stakes on Saturday afternoon at Del Mar. Flavien Prat rides for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer…Also entered on Saturday afternoon at Del Mar: Humboldt County Marathon winner Engram. Quentin Miller trains and Martin Pedroza has the call…The Golden Pick Six jackpot carryover pool has reached $26,163 heading into Thursday’s card… Happy birthday wishes to trainers Gloria Haley, O.J Jauregui, Anthony “T-Bone” Stabile and veteran rider Frank Alvarado, all whom turn one year older in the next 7 days.

OROZCO RESTING AFTER SATURDAY SPILL

Jockey Irving Orozco, who was injured in a spill on Saturday afternoon, is resting comfortably at Highland Hospital in Oakland and is on his way to a full recovery. Orozco was aboard Pamplemiss in the third race on Saturday when the filly clipped heels approaching the top of the stretch, unseating the 24-year-old journeyman. Pamplemiss emerged from the incident unscathed.

According to agent Tom “Bomber” Doutrich, Orozco underwent two surgeries to repair abdominal injuries sustained in the incident. Since Saturday, Orozco has been alert and communicating with hospital staff, family and other visitors. The doctors are very pleased with Irving’s progress and optimistic he will continue to improve in the coming days and weeks. Orozco will be out of action for an extended period of time.

All jockeys around the world are remarkably fit and resilient athletes. The entire family at Golden Gate Fields wishes Irving the very best in his recovery process and looks forward to seeing him in the winner’s circle again soon.

EDWIN GONZALEZ NEW ADDITION TO THE JOCKEY COLONY

Edwin Gonzalez, who previously rode at Laurel Park and Pimlico in Maryland, has shipped his tack west to ride at Golden Gate for the foreseeable future. Gonzalez is a 27-year-old journeyman who has been riding in races since 2009. He holds 987 career wins, meaning he is just 13 victories shy of the 1,000 career wins milestone.

“I’m at a new track and I’m hungry,” said Gonzalez on Wednesday morning. “It’s great to be here.”

Since 2009, Gonzalez has ridden primarily in the Midwest and has won stakes races at Arlington Park, Delaware, Laurel and Keeneland. He will be represented by Fernando “Shoes” Navarro, who is eager to get Gonzalez started at Golden Gate.

“I’m excited to have him here,” said Navarro. “We’re gonna try to get him going and I think he will do well here. He has the right attitude and looks ready to work hard.”

Gonzalez has a wife, Karena, and they have one child: 1-year-old daughter Marcella. The couple is expecting a second baby in a few months-a baby boy to be named Fabian Andres.

SPECIAL FIRST POST ON BREEDERS CUP FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

This Friday and Saturday, a two-day racing spectacle takes center stage for racing fans across the globe. The 2018 Breeders Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, held in Louisville, Kentucky, features 14 championship races highlighted by the $6,000,000 Breeders Cup Classic on Saturday.

On Friday afternoon, Churchill Downs holds a 10-race card, with first post time at 12:55 PM Eastern Time/9:55 AM Pacific Time. 5 of the 10 races are Breeders Cup events, with the quartet of races scheduled for juveniles (2-year-olds). Golden Gate Fields’ gates open at 9:30 AM, at which time fans can watch and wager on the entire Breeders Cup Friday card. Golden Gate will offer a 9-race program on Friday, with first post time slated at 12:09 PM Pacific Time.

On Saturday, Churchill Downs will run a 12-race program, with first post time at 10:45 AM ET/7:45 AM PT. 9 Breeders Cup races are on the overnight for Saturday. All gates at Golden Gate open at 8:30 AM, with the first Breeders Cup race at Churchill Downs set to go off at 12:00 PM ET/9:00 AM PT.  Golden Gate Fields is slated to run a 10-race card, with an early first post time of 11:30 AM.

LAKERBALL IMPRESSES AGAIN IN PIKE PLACE DANCER 

Earlier in the month, Lakerball shocked racing fans with a 33-1 upset in the Surfer Girl Stakes, a prep at Santa Anita for the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). In fact, Lady Prancealot and Summering, the second and third place finishers in the Surfer Girl, are bound for the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf this Friday. Even though a start in the Breeders Cup may have been tempting, the connections of Lakerball decided to run their 2-year-old filly in another race: the $75,000 Pike Place Dancer Stakes at Golden Gate.

Lakerball, competing against five other locally based fillies in last Saturday’s Pike Place Dancer, went off as the even money favorite for trainer Doug O’Neill and Southern California pilot Alonso Quinonez. After stalking the pace, the daughter of Lakerville took the lead approaching the quarter pole and quickly opened up on her rivals, winning the mile turf contest by 5 lengths. Surely, bigger and better things are on the horizon for this 2-time stakes winner.

“The second favorite was coming from a sprint, so [Alonso and I] talked about that if that one took off, then we would sit off and things worked out for us,” said Leandro Mora, the longtime assistant for trainer Doug O’Neill. “It was a good pace and she finished up well-not a bad time for this type of race.”

The Pike Place Dancer was the first of eight stakes races at the Golden Gate Fall Meet. The next stake event at the current meeting is the Golden Nugget, a six-furlong sprint for 2-year-olds on November 10.

BEYER SPEED FIGURES

***A list of last week’s winners and what speed figure they received***

THURSDAY

Race 1: Girlsintheoffice-63

Race 2: King Eddie-73

Race 3: Maxinamillion-72

Race 4: Marilyn’s Smile-84

Race 5: Wright Winged-41

Race 6: Vacaville Special-58

Race 7: Diamante Appeal-24

FRIDAY

Race 1: My Friend George-65

Race 2: Turnaround-65

Race 3: Sutter-50

Race 4: Mybluebell-68

Race 5: Kid Cantina-56

Race 6: G. G. Ryder-89

Race 7: Our Renee-71

Race 8: Peppered Jo-56

Race 9: Vutzak-71

SATURDAY

Race 1: Savrola-69

Race 2: Mr. Twinery-88

Race 3: Rhyming Tiger-50

Race 4: Tiz Titus-82

Race 5: Shockazulu-53

Race 6: Lakerball-78

Race 7: Noble Contessa-57

Race 8: Midnight Swap-68

Race 9: Miss Super Saint-67

SUNDAY

Race 1: On Fire-60

Race 2: Nevada Wild Cat-45

Race 3: Bay Area-82

Race 4: The Creep-48

Race 5: Annie’s Candy-85

Race 6: I Love Romance-72

Race 7: Pop Fizz Clink-57

Race 8: Orchestral-86

Race 9: Crown Kitten-71

FINISH LINES: Northern California trainers Jerry Hollendorfer and Jeff Bonde send out two runners apiece in Breeders Cup races. Hollendorfer saddles Dueling and Gunmetal Gray in the Juvenile while Bonde tightens the girth on King of Speed in the Juvenile Turf and Miss Sunset in the Filly and Mare Sprint…Trainer Blaine Wright will spend his Breeders Cup weekend at Santa Anita. The Wright-trained Adorned, coming off an impressive maiden win in September, faces allowance foes in Race 1 on Friday. Six races later, two-time San Francisco Mile winner Alert Bay runs for Wright in the $70,000 Lure Stakes. This is Alert Bay’s first start since a win in the Rolling Green Stakes in August. On Saturday, Wright will be represented by first time starter Anothertwistafate, a $360,000 sale purchase that has reportedly been working lights out for his career debut. Jockey Juan Hernandez will fly down to ride all 3 horses…Jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. will not ride at the current fall meet, unlike previously reported. Valdivia was originally scheduled to compete at Golden Gate Fields throughout the fall but opted to move elsewhere…The 20 Cent Golden Pick Six Jackpot carryover has climbed to $10,752. We also have a Super High 5 carryover of $5,550, which will be featured in Race 1 on Thursday as long as there are no scratches.

Berkeley, Calif. (October 27, 2018)- Under the guidance of jockey Alonso Quinonez, Southern California shipper Lakerball stalked the pace before drawing away from her rivals down the stretch to win the $75,000 Pike Place Dancer Stakes at Golden Gate Fields. The Doug O’Neill trainee was making her first start since a 33-1 upset in the Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita in October.

“The second favorite was coming from a sprint, so we talked about if that one took off, then we would sit off and things worked out our way,” said assistant trainer Leandro Mora. “It was a good pace and she finished up well-not a bad time for this type of race.”

Brahm’s Command, who set the pace for the first three-quarters of the race, held off third-place finisher Tomlin for the second spot while Stealthediamonds checked in fourth after stalking the speed.

Lakerball improved her record to 3 wins from 5 starts, with career earnings of $129,480. She is owned by Pappas Racing, Purple Rein Racing, Roberts and Jeanie Buss, who also owns the Los Angeles Lakers.

-30-