GIVE ME THE LUTE BACK HOME AND READY TO ROLL

6-year-old gelding Give Me the Lute Is proving to be a home-run claim for trainer Andy Mathis and owners Rod and Wendy Hogan. Since being claimed for the hefty price of $80,000 in 2019, the son of Boisterous has racked up $196,388 in earnings, won the Albany Stakes twice, and placed second in the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap behind Lieutenant Dan, who returned to finish as the runner up in the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint.

“He’s been good to us,” said Mathis.

This Friday, Give Me the Lute competes in the featured third race on Friday, an open allowance for 3-year-olds and upward at five furlongs on the turf. The last time we saw him race, Give Me the Lute finished fourth in a third-level allowance at Del Mar. In June, he won the Albany Stakes for the second consecutive year. This Friday’s afternoon appearance will be his third start of 2022.

Give Me the Lute has won five times, with one second and one third place finish, from seven lifetime starts over the Golden Gate turf. Mathis feels that Give Me the Lute thrives at Golden Gate.

“He really likes this course,” said Mathis. “He chased some really nice horses last time [at Del Mar]. We entered him in a race at Del Mar towards the end of the meet, but he got on the also-eligible list and didn’t get into the race. We rerouted to this spot. We’ve had to be patient, so he’s ready.”

Irving Orozco, who rode Give Me the Lute to both career stakes wins, retains the mount on Friday.

“[Give Me the Lute] is built pretty long,” said Mathis. “Every time Irving has ridden him, he’s done a really good job of just letting him get into that big, long stride. I have a lot of confidence in Irving. I don’t tell him too much in the paddock. He’ll call the shots and he knows this horse as well as anyone. But there aren’t any secrets of how this horse is going to run.”

Give Me the Lute, who breaks from the rail post position on Sunday, has been on the lead in nine of his last 10 races.

Among the main competitors facing Give Me the Lute on Friday is Carolina Mia, who put up her A+ effort when second-beaten just a neck-to Give Me the Lute in the June 11 Albany Stakes. The Sammy Calvario trained pair of Ultimate Bango and Psycho Dar also appear as formidable foes. Ultimate Bango won the Lost in the Fog Stakes on Tapeta in April while Psycho Dar finished third in the Albany Stakes. Stakes winner Dr. Pescado makes his first start since an off-the-board finish in the El Camino Real Derby over the winter.

“This is a good field of horses, and [Give Me the Lute] didn’t beat them by much in June,” said Mathis. “He is not a lock. He needs to run his race to win.”

Mathis is back home in the Bay Area after a fantastic summer meet at Del Mar. At the seaside oval, Mathis won with 12 of his 41 starters. That equates to a 29%-win rate.

“I thought we had some good horses that would run well, but not in my wildest dreams would I have imagined we could have the meet we did [at Del Mar],” reflected Mathis. “It hasn’t even sunk in yet. That meet is probably not something I can duplicate again. Things have to work out, and you need to get lucky. There are so many factors that go into winning races, especially at a place like Del Mar. I have a ton of respect for the trainers who compete down there. It’s a competitive meet and a hard meet to win races.”

To put things in perspective, Mathis claimed 3 horses at Golden Gate and won with all of them at Del Mar. Mathis’s 12 winners came with 10 different horses. Among them: multiple California-bred turf winner Kings River Knight, undefeated Tiger Spice, maiden special weight winner To Speight Her, and stakes placed router Tom’s Surprise.

Race 3 on Friday (Open allowance at five furlongs on turf for 3-year-olds and up)

#1 Give Me the Lute (Jockey Irving Orozco…trainer Andy Mathis…morning line odds of 7-5)

#2 Ultimate Bango (Catalino Martinez …Sammy Calvario …5-2)

#3 Psycho Dar (Armando Ayuso…Sammy Calvario …7-2)

#4 Carolina Mia (Santos Rivera…Felix Rondan…3-1)

#5 Dr Pescado (Catalino Martinez…Felix Rondan…8-1)

NATURAL COLOUR ON THE UPSWING IN SEARCH OF SECOND CONSECUTIVE STAKES WIN

The Great Britain bred Natural Colour wowed race watchers with an emphatic four and three-quarter length victory in her last start, the Luther Burbank Stakes at Santa Rosa. A month and a half later, she freshens up and posts a 59 flat bullet workout leading up to the marquee race of the weekend at Golden Gate, the $50,000 Golden Gate Turf Distaff.

Since being purchased from overseas by owners Ron Charles and Sam Gordon, Natural Colour is three for four in the United States. Her lone loss came when finishing fifth behind multiple Grade 3 winner Niege Blanche at Santa Anita. Pedro Terrero, aboard for all three stateside victories, is back aboard the 4-year-old filly by Exceed and Excel.

Two Southern California shippers are part of the field of nine. Both invaders are projected to get wagering support. The 5-2 morning line favorite is Charges Dropped, who adds blinkers for trainer Michael McCarthy and local jockey Assael Espinoza. As of late, Charges Dropped has been battling for minor awards in second level allowance races at Santa Anita and Del Mar. She looks to pick up “black type” for her connections.

The last time Sassyserb visited the winners circle, she won at Golden Gate on Gold Rush Weekend. That day, she defeated a salty group of second level allowance foes. Trained by Southern California conditioner George Papaprodromou, the California-bred exits a pair of off-the-board finishes against stakes company at Del Mar and faces a lighter group in the Golden Gate Turf Distaff. Armando Ayuso is scheduled to ride.

For white-hot trainer Jack Steiner, Tiz an Edventure has won four in a row-three of those efforts for the Steiner barn-and seeks to stretch out her win streak to five. The daughter of Tiznow won a second level allowance at Golden Gate on August 26 and wheels back in three weeks for her stakes debut while sporting career best form.

Trainer Steve Specht campaigns a duo of entrants in Tam’s Little Angel and Ellamira. Both are 3-year-old fillies facing older foes. Tam’s Little Angel is a versatile stakes winner; she has won on turf, dirt and synthetic. Over the summer, the Larry and Marianne Williams homebred went gate to wire against older companions in the She’s a Tiger Stakes at Pleasanton on dirt. Stablemate Ellamira won the Campanile Stakes for California-breds in May and enters this race off a three-and-a-half-month vacation.

Multiple stakes winner Northwest Factor figures to set the pace. The grey/roan mare finished third behind barn buddy Natural Colour in the Luther Burbank and was four lengths slower than Tam’s Little Angel in the She’s a Tiger Stakes earlier in the summer. Strike At Dawn and Misty Cat complete the field of nine.

The Golden Gate Turf Distaff goes as Race 8 on a 9-race program at Golden Gate. First post on Saturday is 1:45 PM PT. 

Race 8 on Saturday (Golden Gate Turf Distaff on turf for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up)

#1 Charges Dropped (Jockey Assael Espinoza…trainer Michael McCarthy…morning line odds 5-2)

#2 Misty Cat (Santos Rivera…Dan Franko …20-1)

#3 Tam’s Little Angel (Catalino Martinez…Steve Specht …8-1)

#4 Natural Colour (Pedro Terrero…Manny Badilla…3-1)

#5 Northwest Factor (Irving Orozco…Many Badilla …8-1)

#6 Strike At Dawn (Silvio Amador…Blaine Wright …10-1)

#7 Ellamira (Frank Alvarado…Steve Specht…10-1)

#8 Tiz an Edventure (Evin Roman…Jack Steiner…5-1)

#9 Sassyserb (Armando Ayuso…George Papaprodromou…9-2)

JOCKEY AYUSO RETURNS, APPRENTICE ESCOBEDO ARRIVES AT GOLDEN GATE TO RIDE

Jockey Armando Ayuso is back in the Bay Area and set to resume riding at Golden Gate Fields for the foreseeable future. Ayuso rode at Los Alamitos Racecourse in June and early July and competed at the recently concluded Del Mar summer meet.

Ayuso finished third in the jockey standings at the Golden Gate Winter/Spring meet with 72 wins from 367 mounts (20%-win rate). Among his top mounts this year: Camilla Urso Stakes winner Sadie Bluegrass, multiple stakes placed sprinter Psycho Dar, and flashy gelding Tom’s Surprise. Ayuso is represented by agent Tom “Bomber” Doutrich.

In other jockey news, apprentice rider Adrian Escobedo has shipped his tack from Southern California and begins riding at Golden Gate this weekend. He has one mount for trainer Gary Greiner on Saturday and another for Jamey Thomas on Sunday. Escobedo, who rides with a 7-pound weight allowance, has won 12 races from 113 lifetime mounts. He will be represented by agent Jay Robinson.

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week.

Friday

Race 2: Aplombado (New trainer Isidro Tamayo…new owner Leon Scott)

Race 4: Bandeena (Ed Moger Jr…Steve Moger)

Race 4: Starship Endeavor (Blaine Wright…Tracy and Paula Henline)

Race 5: Bold Daughter (Blaine Wright…Blaine D. Wright Racing Stable LLC, Michael Dermody, and Eric Kenneally)

Saturday

Race 1: Betito (Jonathan Wong…Batlte Born Racing Stable)

Race 1: Our Expectation (Isidro Tamayo..Leon Scott)

Race 1: That’s Bind Babe (Gary Greiner…Desiree and Renee Greiner)

Sunday

Race 1: Amadmadworld (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

FINISH LINES: With two more weeks to go at the summer meet, jockey Evin Roman has a 14-13-win lead over Assael Espinoza in the jockey standings. Pedro Terrero is right behind them win 10 victories…Trainer Jonathan Wong has a 7-6 lead in the trainer standings over Jack Steiner. Victor Trujillo and Steve Sherman both have 5 wins apiece and are tied for third…The nightcap on Friday (Race 8) is “The Spirit of Sliveyville,” named after the Bruce Headley trained million-dollar earner who raced in the early and mid 1980’s. A 14-time stakes winner and a five time graded stakes winner, he won the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby in 1981, was victorious in the San Francisco Mile the following year, and finished first in the Rolling Green Stakes in 1983. The Spirit of Silveyville on Friday is a starter allowance condition for 3-year-olds and upward, run at one mile and a half on Tapeta…Another starter allowance on Sunday, named “The Spirit of Brown Bess,” is named after the Chuck Jenda trained mare who won 12 stakes, including three grade ones. The race is for fillies and mares at one mile and an eighth on Tapeta…Two divisions of a first level allowance field are co-featured events on the Sunday card. The first division (Race 6) features Del Mar winner Cees Get Degrees and the well-bred Murphy’s Tiger…The second division (Race 9) includes the Steve Miyadi trained Johnny Podres and Lmlooknformischief…Classy sprinter Rebalation is back on the worktab after taking a spring and summer hiatus. She drilled 3 furlongs on Thursday morning for trainer Tim McCanna…The Golden Pick Jackpot carryover has climbed to $27,510 heading into Friday’s program.

MCCARTHY HOLDS A STRONG HAND IN MULTIPLE TURF ALLOWANCE RACES THIS WEEK

In the last five years or so, trainer Michael McCarthy has had much success with sending horses from his Southern California string to Golden Gate and winning right off the van. This Friday and Saturday, McCarthy will race a trio of horses at the bayside track, all seemingly in with solid chances to win their respective races.

In the sixth race on Friday, McCarthy sends out Optimising, an Irish bred entered in an allowance for 3-year-olds at one mile and a sixteenth on turf. Optimising broke his maiden overseas in a one-turn sprint last year and was subsequently purchased out of the race by owners Red Barons Barn LLC. He was shipped to McCarthy’s barn in California where he then raced three times against stakes company, never finishing more than 2 lengths behind the winner in each start. Following a troubled trip in the Grade 3 Cecille B. DeMille Mile on November 28, Optimising was sent to a farm for a vacation.

Optimising made his 2022 debut on August 13, racing against first level allowance foes going long on turf at Del Mar. That day, he was far behind early, lacked room at the quarter pole, and finished about four lengths behind the winner. He makes his second start off a layoff in Friday’s sixth race at Golden Gate.

“We don’t see too many straight 3-year-old allowance races pop up later in the year,” said McCarthy. “I thought he ran well in his first start this year. He’ll be sitting back and making a run down the lane.”

On Saturday, McCarthy campaigns Isola Mia in Race 6, a first level allowance for 3-year-old fillies at one mile and a sixteenth on turf, and Red Tiara, a 3-year-old in against other filly and mare maidens going one mile on the main-track Tapeta. Both runners are owned by Don Alberto Stable.

Isola Mia broke her maiden for a $100,000 claiming tag at Santa Anita in May. Since then, she has finished off the board in a pair of allowance races at Del Mar. Red Tiara failed to be competitive in a pair of maiden special weight races this spring and summer against tough Southern California competition. She runs on the Tapeta for the first time.

“Isola Mia should get a good trip fairly close to the pace,” said McCarthy. “I think this is a good spot for her to run a competitive race. Red Tiara is a grinder, and I think the Tapeta will suit her well.”

Southern California jockey Diego Herrera flies up to ride Isola Mia and Red Tiara on Saturday. Local pilot Assael Espinoza has Friday’s call aboard Optimising.

“Diego has worked a bunch of horses for me and we’ve had a few wins together in the afternoon,” said McCarthy. “He’s a good kid and a good horseman. He works hard and gives us good feedback when he gets off our horses.”

A fourth horse of McCarthy’s, Irish-bred gelding Percolate, entered on Thursday afternoon to run in Race 8 at Golden Gate on Sunday, a maiden special weight for 3-year-olds and up at one mile on the Tapeta. In two starts this year against Southern California foes, Percolate failed to finish in the top three spots. Diego Herrera is booked to ride.

Live racing runs on a Friday through Sunday basis this week. First post each day is 1:45 PM PT.

Race 6 on Friday (First level allowance at one mile and a sixteenth on turf for 3-year-olds)

#1 Optimising (Jockey Assael Espinoza…trainer Michael McCarthy…morning line odds of 7-5)

#2 Canelito (Cristobal Herrera…Jonathan Wong …6-1)

#3 Tofino Bay (Pedro Terrero…Neil Drysdale …8-1)

#4 Nuestro Engreido (Santos Rivera…Felix Rondan…10-1)

#5 Saint Ives (Catalino Martinez…Jose Bautista…6-1)

#6 Stan the Hot Man (Francisco Monroy…Jonathan Wong…8-1)

#7 Crazy Dreams (Evin Roman…Isidro Tamayo…7-2)

Race 7 on Friday (First level allowance at one mile and a sixteenth on turf for 3-year-old fillies)

#1 Distorted Queen (Jockey Assael Espinoza…trainer Jonathan Wong…morning line odds of 8-1)

#2 Vincero Grande (Frank Alvarado…Andy Mathis…2-1)

#3 Harbor’s Rose (Irving Orozco…Victor Trujillo…6-1)

#4 Darnquick (Silvio Amador…Ed Moger Jr…8-1)

#5 Sacred Beauty (Pedro Terrero…Victor Trujillo…5-1)

#6 Isola Mia (Diego Herrera…Michael McCarthy…4-1)

#7 Sky Maker (Evin Roman…Steve Sherman…9-2) 

NEW MORNING LINE ODDS MAN JACOB SHEPARD STAYING BUSY

Beginning this summer meeting, Director of Racing Steve Martinelli stepped aside from morning line odds making and relinquished the roll to Jacob Shepard, one-half of the Equibase chart

calling tag team at Golden Gate. Shepard, who grew up in Indiana, first went to the track with his family at a young age, attending the races at Keeneland Racecourse and Churchill Downs in Kentucky. From there, he quickly fell in love with the sport of kings.

Shepard went to college at the University of Kentucky and graduated with a degree in agricultural economics. Out of college, he was hired to work in customer service for Brisnet (operated by Twinspires) and was employed there for multiple years. But eventually, Shepard moved to California and opted to take a break from racing.

“My wife got a job in California, so we moved out here,” said Shepard. “I was a little burnt out from racing and needed a break. I still would bring my friends to Golden Gate and explain how racing went, but I was not interested in making horse racing a career at that point. Then, 4 or 5 years went by and I was like, ‘Man, I really, really miss racing.’”

From there, Shepard was determined to get back in the game. Shepard cashed in stocks he earned from working at a startup lighting company and used some of the money to pay for his education at the University of Arizona Racetrack Industry program. After completing the program, he was hired as an Equibase chart caller at Golden Gate along with the second half-of the current team, Jerry Stone.

“During my time at U of A, the students at the racetrack program had various jobs at Rillito Park [in Arizona],” said Shepard. “I did a million things down there. One of the jobs I had was calling charts, and I really enjoyed it. A good friend of mine had done it a year before [at Rillito] and had gone on to call charts at Parx, Gulfstream and Churchill Downs. So, I saw an avenue to make that a job if I wanted to do that.

I really like the Bay Area,” continued Shepard. “I knew the West Coast supervisor of Equibase chart callers, so I e-mailed her after I graduated from U of A [last year]. Literally 30 minutes later, she called me and said, ‘If you want to, we can do something.’ I trained with longtime Golden Gate equibase chart caller Steve Reed. Steve retired in 2021…and here we are.”

Like any writer, Shepard considers calling and composing charts an art form.

“I love writing,” said Shepard. “I’ve always really enjoyed making the notes. Even when I was just a horseplayer, I would pay attention to the races and the trips. Now, this job affords me to pay really close attention to the races. I enjoy being the voice of how a horse performed in a race.”

So immersed in the performances of each horse on the Northern California circuit, Director of Racing Martinelli felt Shepard would be a great fit as the morning line oddsmaker. Shepard was offered the job this summer and took the position without hesitation.

Being fairly new at making morning line odds, Shepard says it can be a painstaking, trial-and-error process.

“I’ve made my own morning lines for the Breeders Cup Classic and Kentucky Derby before,” said Shepard. “I try to not re-invent the wheel as much as I can.

The first thing I try to answer is who is the horse to beat. After I answer that question, I sort of do it in a bell curve. Are there horses that don’t fit the race and or are going to be big price horses? Then, I look at human connections. There are certain high percentage barns and high percentage jockeys that I give more credence to. I also like to note how a horse was bet in their last race or two, especially for those specific conditions.”

To make a full card’s worth of morning lines, Shepard says it takes about two hours on average.

Shepard, who sees himself as a fan of the game, is happily enjoying every day of his horse racing venture. One thing’s for sure: he never misses the story of a race.

“It’s an interesting way to go from point A to B to C,” said Shepard. “I handicap the race beforehand, call the race, and then write the chart for it afterwards. I’m sort of following it all the way through. That’s really cool for me.”

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week:

Friday

Race 6: Peacehaven (New owner/trainer D. Wayne Baker)

Race 8: Arma D’Oro (New trainer Jonathan Wong…new owners MJVET Stables, Clay and Carlene Sides)

Saturday

Race 6: Stateforest (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing)

Sunday

Race 6: Descartes (Sammy Calvario…Mary Tucker)

Race 8: All (Jack Steiner…Robert Del Vigna, Frances Jefferson, and James Maher)

Race 8: Lady Brett (Jack Steiner…Michael Radovich)

Monday

No claims

DEL MAR WATCH LIST

Below is a list of Northern California horses and human connections competing on the final week at Del Mar:

Friday

Race 3: Fixurhairupretty (Trainer Andy Mathis…Jockey Ricky Gonzalez)

Race 4: Holy Ghost (Aggie Ordonez…Tiago Pereira)

Race 4: U.S. Danger (Jonathan Wong…Kyle Frey)

Race 5: Emma’s Dance (Ed Moger Jr…Diego Herrera)

Saturday

Race 10: As Amatter of Fact (Jonathan Wong…Hector Berrios)

Race 10: Heaven Shines (Jonathan Wong…Emily Ellingwood)

Sunday

Race 2: Kingmeister (Bill McLean…Kyle Frey)

Race 4: Smiling Thunder (Jonathan Wong…Umberto Rispoli)

Race 4: Amanda Rose (Ed Moger Jr…Tiago Pereira)

Race 7: Evenrevenworse (Bill McLean…Kyle Frey)

Race 9: De La Luna (Quinn Howey…Armando Ayuso)

FINISH LINES: Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away Thursday, was the breeder of 2022 San Francisco Mile winner Evening Sun. Her Majesty the Queen was a big supporter of horses and horse racing, owning her own breeding and racing operation, and also enjoyed horseback riding as a hobby…Nominations close at midnight for the Golden Gate Distaff, a one mile and a sixteenth turf race for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. The race is scheduled for next Saturday, September 17…Bett on Blaze, a half sibling to multiple Golden Gate stakes winner Bettor Trip Nick, broke his maiden on debut for trainer Monty Meier in the nightcap on Monday…Alert: Trainer Steve Specht is one win away from career victory 1,500…San Francisco Mile fourth place finisher Tom’s Surprise was victorious in Race 5 on Monday at Del Mar, a specialized starter allowance, for trainer Andy Mathis. Mathis has had a sensational summer at Del Mar, with a 12 for 40 record (30%) at the boutique summer meeting…$18,150 is the jackpot carryover amount in the Pick 6 heading into Friday’s card. A Super High Five carryover of $4,468 is offered in the next race on Friday in which there are five or more starters.

OPENING DAY FRIDAY KICKS OFF 19-DAY SUMMER MEET AT GOLDEN GATE 

Entries for Day 1 of the 19-day summer meet at Golden Gate Fields were taken, drawn and published Tuesday afternoon. 56 horses were entered on the 8-race card.

A multitude of trainers relayed to track officials that they were delighted to be back at their home base of Golden Gate Fields. Over the last couple months, all Northern California horses, trainers, and their barn help were stabled at either Pleasanton, Sacramento, Del Mar, or nearby farms while Golden Gate took on a renovation procedure involving underground pipes on the backstretch. Horses and the barn crews were welcomed back to the Golden Gate barn area throughout the week of August 8. Last week, over 500 horses recorded published workouts.

“We’re excited to be back up and running,” said Steve Martinelli, who takes over the role of Director of Racing for the first time this meet. “We have a lot of babies [2-year-old horses] on the backstretch. The trainers are rearing up and ready to run their horses. We’re really looking forward to a safe and competitive meet.”

Live racing will be conducted on a Friday through Sunday basis at the upcoming summer meet, with a Labor Day Monday, September 5 race card during the second week of racing. First post each live race day is 1:45 PM PT.

A MAN’S MAN SPORTS TOP FORM IN SEARCH OF FOURTH CONSECUTIVE WIN

New horseplayers and horse people alike quickly learn that there are risks to the claiming game in American thoroughbred horse racing. In the case of longtime Bay Area trainer Jack Steiner, he has never been scared to roll the dice.

Although Steiner has had much success with claiming and improving horses over the years, he did not take credit for the sharp claim of A Man’s Man, an $8,000 buy three months ago. Since Steiner claimed him out of a May 22 race, the 6-year-old Mucho Macho Man gelding has won three consecutive races while steadily climbing the class ladder.

“[Owner] Howard Hammer [Remmah Racing Inc.] was the one who picked him out,” said Steiner. “When Howard looked at this form, he saw the horse had run second at a $20,000 condition. Then he was in for $12,500 and he won. Then he ran for $8,000…and that’s when we claimed him. He had class. It’s ended up being a pretty good gamble.”

After a dominant starter allowance win in his first start off the claim for Steiner, A Man’s Man wheeled back to win a $20,000 claimer at Pleasanton. In his most recent afternoon outing on July 24, A Man’s Man displayed grit and determination to win a hard-fought decision over allowance company at Sacramento.

This Friday, A Man’s Man is entered in the feature race at Golden Gate: an allowance for 3-year-olds and upward at one mile on Tapeta. Regular rider Assael Espinoza will be back aboard.

“We might be asking a lot of a horse who we claimed for $8,000 to win two allowance races,” said Steiner. “The fact of the matter is he’s doing better than ever. He had a nice work last week. I think he’s a confident horse. He’s won a few races in a row and he’s feeling really good. Assael knows him really well, so I’m going to leave the race tactics up to him.”

Race 7 on Friday (First level allowance at one mile on Tapeta)

#1 Govenor’s Party (Jockey William Antongeorgi III…Trainer Dan Franko…morning line odds 6-1)

#2 Lil Miracle Man (Cristobal Herrera…Ellen Jackson…6-1)

#3 Buenisimo (Evin Roman…Steve Sherman…10-1)

#4 Rocktillyoudrop (Frank Alvarado…Ed Moger Jr…12-1)

#5 Claim of Passion (Santos Rivera…Steve Miyadi…10-1)

#6 A Man’s Man (Assael Espinoza…Jack Steiner…5-2)

#7 Sacred Rider (Catalino Martinez…Steve Specht…5-1)

#8 Pour On the Cole (Pedro Terrero…Victor Trujillo…12-1)

#9 Our Bold Prince (Irving Orozco…Eddie Rich…7-2)

STRONG FIELD OF 3-YEAR-OLDS ASSEMBLED FOR SATURDAY FEATURE

A half dozen entrants-all seemingly in with a chance-are entered to run in Saturday’s fifth race, a first level allowance for 3-year-old sprinters at six furlongs on Tapeta. Horseplayers may have a difficult time picking a winner, with many handicapping angles in play.

Super Bill, who draws the rail post position for trainer Jose Bautista, won on debut at Pleasanton in July. That race turned out to be a strong heat. Runner up finisher Smiling At Val returned to win a maiden race at Del Mar while third place horse Arollercoasteride defeat maiden special weight company about a month later at Santa Rosa. A third runner in the race, sixth place finisher You Kidding Me, also won a maiden special weight in his next start.

“We knew he could run before his first start,” said Bautista. “He broke from the rail that day and we sent him because on the dirt the kickback can bother horses sometimes. He drew the rail again [for Saturday’s race], but the Tapeta doesn’t have kickback. I think we can stalk if we need to.”

Trainer Jonathan Wong campaigns a pair of contenders in Boise and Heaven Shines. Boise, the clear class of the race, won the Gold Rush Stakes last year and lost by a head to Il Bellator in the California Derby this past April. After a pair of off-the-board finishes this summer, the son of Temple City cuts back in distance from a route to a sprint while dropping in class to a non-stakes event. He is also entered for the $50,000 optional claiming tag.

“We’ve backed off him a little bit in his morning training because he’s really fit. Hopefully he can lay third or fourth and from there give us his best effort.”

Boise blitzed a maiden special weight group when sprinting five furlongs on turf in his only other career sprint race. Wong believes that getting back to one turn will be to Boise’s liking.

“His first race [sprinting] was very good,” said Wong. “He might end up being a better sprinter.”

Heaven Shines is a speedy gelding from the Wong Barn that figures to be close to the pace. He freshens up about a month and a half after a runner up finish at Sacramento. The last time we saw Heaven Shines compete on Tapeta, he earned a career high Beyer speed figure (83) while dusting a starter allowance group.

“I think he’s a better Tapeta horse,” said Wong. “Besides [Super Bill], there isn’t much front running speed in the race. Hopefully he breaks well and is forwardly placed. Both my horses should be competitive.”

The Jack Steiner trained Stormy Samurai makes his second start off a five-month layoff and figures to get legit support in the wagering. In his seasonal debut on July 22 at Sacramento against older foes, the Kentucky-bred stumbled badly at the break and rushed up to race in a stalking position before fading down the lane. He returns to Tapeta, the surface in which both career wins have come over, and posts a pair of sharp half mile workouts leading up to this start. Stormy Samurai won at this level earlier in his career and, like Boise, is entered for the $50,000 claiming tag.

Rounding out the field are Winter Falcon and Lmlooknformischief. The former defeated the latter (who ran third) in a June 24 race over the Pleasanton main track dirt course. Since their face-off at Pleasanton, both horses tried salty company at Del Mar and finished well behind the winner. Winter Falcon ran in a high-level claimer sprinting on the turf and finished in midfield. Lmlookformischief was a no-show in the Real Good Deal Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds.

9-races made the Saturday overnight. First post on Saturday is 1:45 PM.

Race 5 on Saturday (First level allowance at 6 furlongs on Tapeta)

#1 Super Bill (Jockey Alejandro Gomez…Trainer Jose Bautista…Morning Line Odds of 8-1)

#2 Stormy Samurai (Frank Alvarado…Jack Steiner…5-1)

#3 Winter Falcon (Assael Espinoza…Blaine Wright…9-2)

#4 Lmlooknformischief (Pedro Terrero…Faith Taylor..6-1)

#5 Heaven Shines (Evin Roman…Jonathan Wong…9-5)

#6 Boise (Brayan Pena…Jonathan Wong…5-2)

DEL MAR WATCH LIST

Several Golden Gate based horses and Bay Area human connections have competed at Del Mar this summer. Below is a list of horses running at the Southern California seaside oval this week.

Friday

Race 2: Creative Romance (Trainer Tim McCanna…Jockey Drayden Van Dyke)

Race 2: She’s So Pretty (Jonathan Wong…Kyle Frey)

Race 5: Jasmine Chieftain (Tim McCanna…Armando Ayuso)

Race 5: Gayles Evening (Jamey Thomas…Diego Herrera)

Race 5: Warm Summer (O.J. Jauregui…Emily Ellingwood)

Race 6: A Little Bit Crazy (Jonathan Wong…Umberto Rispoli)

Race 6: Jessebear (Aggie Ordonez…Kyle Frey)

Race 7: Man Oh Man (Jonathan Wong…Umberto Rispoli)

Race 8: Naughty Nadine (Manny Badilla…Abel Cedillo)

Saturday

Race 1: Holiday Arousal (Trainer Jonathan Wong…Jockey Hector Berrios)

Race 3: Joymaker (Quinn Howey…Ryan Curatolo)

Race 3: Callhercontessa (Andy Mathis…Edwin Maldonado)

Race 4: Stanford Man (Jonathan Wong…Armando Ayuso)

Race 4: Looksgoodonyoutho (Ed Moger Jr…Diego Herrera)

Race 6: Mask Off (Jonathan Wong…Ramon Vazquez)

Race 6: Always Litt (Blaine Wright…Juan Hernandez)

Race 6: Big Spin (Tim McCanna…Erick Lopez)

Race 7: Iconic Sky (Andy Mathis…Kyle Frey)

Race 7: Lexington Humor (Jonathan Wong…Umberto Rispoli)

Race 7: Canam Gal (Bill McLean…Drayden Van Dyke)

Race 10: Table for Ten (Bill McLean…Hector Berrios)

Sunday

Race 7: O’Neills Legacy (Trainer Andy Mathis…Jockey Edwin Maldonado)

Race 7: The Great Haynes (Andy Mathis…Umberto Rispoli)

Race 7: Opening Buzz (Jonathan Wong…Kyle Frey)

Race 7: Vasco (O.J. Jauregui…Ricky Gonzalez)

Race 7: Queen Molotov (Ramon Vazquez…Jamey Thomas)

Race 8: Empire House (Jonathan Wong…Ricky Gonzalez)

FINISH LINES: Trainer Jeff Engler, who is usually based in the Midwest but shipped his string to Del Mar for their Ship and Win bonus program this summer, will saddle his first Golden Gate Fields starter on Saturday. Myfavoritedaughter, a 4-year-old filly, races in Friday’s eighth race, a first level allowance at one mile on Tapeta. Engler also sends turf router Maqamat in Race 7 on Sunday, a maiden 20k claimer…10-pound apprentice Welfin Ruany Orantes has three scheduled mounts on Sunday. Orantes began his race riding career over the summer at Sacramento and has won two races from 13 mounts so far…Assignation and Strike At Dawn exit the Luther Burbank Stakes at Santa Rosa and are the ones to beat in the feature race on Sunday, a one-mile-and a sixteenth route for filly and mares…Leading Golden Gate trainer Jonathan Wong won 3 races on Thursday at Del Mar…Trainer Andy Mathis has had a sensational Del Mar meeting, having won 7 races from 28 starters so far…Speaking of Mr. Mathis, happy belated birthday to him; he celebrated a birthday last week.

PLENTY OF STORY LINES TO FOLLOW IN 5-FURLONG ALBANY STAKES ON SATURDAY

A full field of 10, which includes a pair of supplemental entrants, is signed on to compete in the final stakes race of the Winter/Spring meet: the $50,000 Albany Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward at five furlongs on turf this Saturday.

We start with the defending champion Give Me the Lute, who won off a 7-month layoff in last year’s Albany. That day, he went to the lead, set fast fractions, and rolled home to a three-quarter length victory over 4-time stakes winner Brandothebartender. Give Me the Lute sports six workouts leading up 6-year-old debut, including a pair of fast drills in the past two weeks.

Give Me the Lute drew the outside post in the field of 10. The race has attracted some very quick front runners, like himself. Trainer Andy Mathis says, at this point, the only thing he hopes is that Give Me the Lute runs his best.

“His last workout [4 furlongs in 47.60 seconds] was exceptional,” said Mathis. “I’m not going to overthink and instruct [jockey Irving] Orozco too much. He knows this horse. In racing, you never know how things are going go. Sometimes you have a Plan A, you break bad, and you need to go to Plan B. This is a very fast horse. He’s gone 20 and 43 and change before and kept going. If he runs his best race, I’ll be happy.”

Mathis also saddles Perfectionistic, who was well beaten in his last start routing on turf. Mathis remains optimistic he can perform much better cutting back in distance.

“We didn’t get the result we wanted in his last start, but if you watch the race, you’ll see he has a really nice way of going over the turf,” said Mathis. “I just really liked the way he was traveling over the turf that day. He’ll be coming from off the pace. If the pace is really fast, then it wouldn’t surprise me if he came with a big run especially if the front runners start to get a little tired late in the game.”

Mathis may know the Albany Stakes trophy like the back of his hand. Mathis has won the last three runnings, scoring wins in 2019 and 2020 with Mikes Tiznow. In the 2020 edition, Mikes Tiznow was coming off a year layoff, having last been seen winning the 2019 Albany.

“We’re going for four,” said Mathis. “I’m pleased with how both my horses are doing.”

Then we have trainer Sammy Calvario, eagerly awaiting to run two stable stars back on turf. The first is Ultimate Bango, who was claimed by owner Mary Tucker and Calvario on April 1 for $32,000 at Santa Anita. He wheeled back almost a month later in the Lost in the Fog Stakes and won the race at odds of 22-1.

“When I claimed him, I really liked that he had run two really good races on the Tapeta in the past,” said Calvario. “He had run well at Golden Gate before. I was 75% sure he could win [the Lost in the Fog] and he ran great. He came out of the race good and he’s been doing well. I like him a lot in this race. I like him even a little more in this race than the last one, actually.”

Calvario also starts Psycho Dar, another acquisition by Tucker and Calvario out of a $25,000 claiming race in December at Santa Anita. After the claim, Psycho Dar won a pair of first level allowance races at Golden Gate decisively, came up a length short in the El Dorado Shooter Stakes, and failed to fire in a specialized starter allowance at Santa Anita in his most recent start on March 11. He freshens up two months and gets back to turf, a surface he was won over three times over.

“He has done really well for us,” said Calvario. “We claimed him for the same reason we claimed Ultimate Bango. He had run well up here before for another trainer. In his last start at Santa Anita, he came out of the race with a foot abscess. We had to give him a little time. He’s doing well now. He will be close to the pace.”

A mare defeating the boys? There are two possibilities where that could happen. The likely lower-odds racer of the two is the Felix Rondan trained Carolina Mia. Carolina Mia exits an open allowance race sprinting five furlongs on grass in which she defeated Day Plan, a next-out winner last Sunday against open allowance rivals on Tapeta. Carolina Mia’s lone loss in four races at the five-furlong distance on turf came in the Camilla Urso Stakes, a race in which she finished behind the three fastest filly and mare sprinters in Northern California: Sadie Bluegrass, Rebalation, and Dynasty of Her Own.

5-year-old mare Away From the Sun makes her 5-year-old debut for owner/trainer Blaine Wright.  She was not nominated to the race originally and has been supplemented by Wright for $100. Away From the Sun won three consecutive races to kick off her career before running third as a heavy favorite in her first career loss in May of last year. She hasn’t been seen in 13 months but posts a quintet of five-furlong drills for this race.

Another supplemental entrant is War Games, trained by 90-year-old veteran Cliff DeLima. DeLima. War Games has been an admirable racer in the Bay Area, with hard-trying efforts time and time again. Two weeks ago, he was dueled into submission in the one mile All American Stakes after setting wicked fast fractions of 22.35 and 45.60. He cuts back from a route to a sprint and makes his first career start on turf. Six of seven lifetime wins by War Games have come at one turn.

10 Golden Gate races on Saturday kick off at 1:15 PM. Fans on track can watch and wager on other racetracks across the country like Belmont Park, which has 9 stakes races on Saturday including the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Grade I Belmont Stakes at one mile and a half. Gates open at 9 AM on Saturday for simulcast wagering.

Race 8: $50,000 Albany Stakes (for 3-year-olds and up at five furlongs on turf)

#1 I’mgonnabesomebody (Jockey William Antongeorgi III…Trainer Bill McLean…morning line 20-1)

#2 War Games (Francisco Duran…Cliff DeLima…5-1)

#3 Big Duke (Alejandro Gomez…Sergio Ledezma…30-1)

#4 Ultimate Bango (Pedro Terrero…Sammy Calvario…7-2)

#5 Carolina Mia (Santos Rivera…Felix Rondan…8-1)

#6 Hey Mate (Evin Roman…Bill McLean…12-1)

#7 Perfectionistic (Frank Alvarado…Andy Mathis…10-1)

#8 Away From the Sun (Daniel Vergara…Blaine Wright…15-1)

#9 Psycho Dar (Armando Ayuso…Sammy Calvario…6-1)

#10 Give Me the Lute (Irving Orozco…Andy Mathis…2-1)

MANDATORY PAYOUTS THIS CLOSING DAY SUNDAY

The 75-day Winter/Spring meet at Golden Gate concludes this Sunday, June 12. With that, mandatory payouts will be in play throughout the afternoon.

Races 5-10 comprise the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager, a 20-cent minimum bet. Friday’s carryover amount in the Pick 6 jackpot pool sits a $19,560. If there fails to be a Pick Six jackpot winner on Friday and Saturday, the carryover amount will be larger by mandatory payout Sunday. Track officials expect a half-million-dollar pool in the Pick Six.

Both Pick 5 wagers are mandatory payout bets. The Early Pick 5 is a popular wager with its low 14% takeout. The sequence is Races 1-5. The Late Pick 5 consists of the last five races on the card. Both wagers are 50-cent minimum wagers.

The Rolling Super High Five bet will have a mandatory payout in the last race of the day. The bet involves correctly tabbing the first five finishers in a race in which the wager is offered.

The first race on our 10-race Closing Day card kicks off at 1:15 PM PT.

JOCKEY RACE HEATS UP WITH THREE MORE RACING DAYS TO GO

The battle for top jockey at the current Winter/Spring meet comes down to two riders with one week left to go.

24-year-old Evin Roman leads the way with 79 trips to the winners circle so far this meet. A native of Puerto Rico, Roman won the Eclipse Award for Top Apprentice Jockey of 2019 and has already won jockey titles at multiple California tracks including Golden Gate and Santa Anita.

Mexico native Pedro Terrero is two wins behind Roman with 77. At age 37, Terrero has been a mainstay rider in the Bay Area for over a decade and won his first riding title at the 2021 Fall Meet. Terrero has ridden the most horses out of any jockey at the meet with 451 mounts.

In the trainer standings, Jonathan Wong has a 68-48-win lead over runner up Isidro Tamayo in the trainer standings. Tommy Town Thoroughbreds has the most victories out of any owner so far with 16. Larry and Marianne Williams (14 wins) and Johnny Taboada (12) are right behind.

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week

FRIDAY

Race 2: Counting Cards (New trainer Victor Trujillo…new owners Kenneth Seastrom and Trujillo)

Race 3: Circle of Royalty (Owner/Trainer Reid France)

Race 4: Kiss Ride Goodbye (Owner/Trainer Jim Gilmour)

Race 4: Stand in Your Love (Jose Puentes…Maria Valenzuela and Puentes)

Race 6: Holy Ghost (Jack Steiner…Randy Marriott and Steiner)

Race 6: Lookin for Revenge (Ruby Thomas…Donald Jacklin and Dave Wood)

SATURDAY

Race 3: Hypersonic (D. Wayne Baker…Bart Wood and Baker)

Race 5: Loud Fusaichi (Owner/Trainer Victor Trujillo)

Race 5: Tura Lura (Isidro Tamayo…Raymond Brogliatti and Michael and Dorothy Fried)

Race 6: J T’s Creditcard (Reid France…Albert and Kathleen Mattivi LLC)

Race 6: Lemon Zinger (Gary Greiner…Renee Greiner)

SUNDAY

Race 2: Tiz Vicious (Jamey Thomas…Troy Thomas)

Race 7: Grigoro (Isidro Tamayo…Alvaro Gonzalez and Johnny Taboada)

Race 7: Stateforest (Jamey Thomas…Troy Thomas)

Race 8: She’s So Shiny (Tim McCanna…Gary L. Jackson)

Race 9: Holiday Arousal (Jonathan Wong…Clay Sides and Gary Winters)

Race 9: Safe Combination (Owner/Trainer Reid France)

FINISH LINES: The first race on Saturday for 2-year-old fillies features the debut of 7-5 morning line favorite Electric Lettuce, an LNJ Foxwoods homebred by Straight Fire whose second dam is 2009 Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1) winner She Be Wild…A high quality card has been assembled for Saturday. Three maiden allowance races, three allowance races, and the Albany are seven of the ten races on the program…The featured sixth race on Sunday, a second level allowance at one mile on turf, features Southern California shipper Crew Dragon, who ran second in the Oceanside Stakes last year at Del Mar for trainer John Sadler. Also entered: stakes winner Jungle Cry, stakes placed allowance winner Seattle Bold, the speedy Mohawk King, classy Tom’s Surprise, and consistent Long Lance…7-length Golden Gate maiden winner Lexington Humor makes her debut against winners for trainer Jonathan Wong in the sixth race on Saturday at Santa Anita: an allowance race for 3-year-old fillies at about six and one-half furlongs on the downhill turf course…Speaking of Jonathan Wong, he is two wins shy of career victory 1,000 as a trainer…Trainer Steve Specht is six wins away from career win 1,500…Happy belated birthday to trainer Steve Miyadi, who celebrated his birthday on Wednesday…Happy birthday to trainer Greg James, who celebrates his birthday this week…Thank you to our horsemen and our frontside staff for their hard work, and our fans and horseplayers for their commitment to Golden Gate Fields. We hope you have a fruitful couple months and look forward to seeing you back for the summer meet in August!

WEEKEND STAKES WINNERS MAY APPEAR AT DEL MAR

Freeport Joe and St Anthony, who won a pair of stakes races at Golden Gate last weekend, could show up in stakes events over the summer at Del Mar.

Monday’s $100,000 All American Stakes went to Freeport Joe, who sat off a quick pace before unleashing a rally and nailing defending champion Navy Armed Guard in the shadow of the wire. Just hours after the All-American victory, our media team caught up with trainer Gloria Haley. Understandably, she was “over the moon” with how Freeport Joe ran.

“We’re just so proud of him,” said Haley. “He’s a special horse. [Jockey] Assael [Espinoza] rode him terrific. Him and ‘Joe get along so well. We couldn’t be happier.”

Freeport Joe has shown an affinity for the Tapeta main track, but Haley is not ruling out another try on turf. A long-term goal for Freeport Joe could be the $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes at one mile and a sixteenth on turf for California-bred 3-year-olds and up. The race is scheduled for Saturday, August 6 at Del Mar.

“It’s a race we’ll consider,” said Haley. “Nothing is set and stone at this point.”  

Haley noted that in his last start before the All American, Freeport Joe ran a better than looked race in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile on grass. That day, he broke a few lengths slow but ran on strongly in the closing stages, only losing by three lengths to race winner Vanzzy.

St Anthony won Sunday’s one-mile $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes for 3-year-olds on turf. The gelding by Noble Mission sat off the pace, waited for racing room in upper stretch, found a clear path in midstretch and flew home in the concluding stages for a half-length score. St Anthony completed the one mile in 1:37.35 seconds with local rider Pedro Terrero aboard.

Reported earlier this week by the Daily Racing Form’s Steve Anderson, St Anthony will point for the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes on Opening Day Friday, July 22. The races is at run at one mile on turf. St. Anthony possesses breeding to suggest he will continue to thrive as the year progresses. His dam, Amnesia, won the 2014 Wine Country Stakes at Santa Rosa in her 3-year-old summer season.

MULTIPLE STAKES WINNER CAMINO DEL PARAISO RETIRES AT AGE 9

9-year-old gelding Camino Del Paraiso, a four-time stakes winner at Golden Gate who most recently ran third in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile, has been retired from racing per trainer O.J. Jauregui.

“We were getting ready for the All American [last Monday],” said Jauregui. “He came up with a minor issue. I would have had to give him sixty days off and then start up his training all over again. I called the owner and said, ‘It’s time.’ He’s been great to us. We owe it to him…to give him a good retirement and a good life. We had a great run with him.”

As a yearling in 2014, Camino Del Paraiso was purchased by owner Herb Moniz of Paradise Road Ranch LLC for $5,000. After six losses to kick off his career, Camino Del Paraiso made his first career trip to the winner’s circle on August 17, 2016 in a California-bred one-mile turf race at Del Mar. Following his maiden victory, Camino Del Paraiso wracked off two consecutive allowance wins at Golden Gate.

His stakes debut came in the fall of 2016 when competing in the Let It Ride Stakes at Del Mar. That day, he got boxed behind horses in midstretch and was able to secure third with the unlucky trip. The following year, Camino Del Paraiso finished third in the Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap, his first in-the-money finish in a graded stake.

In 2019, Camino Del Paraiso came up a neck short in the Berkeley Handicap to race favorite Editore. He also placed in the Joseph T. Grace Stakes. His 2020 began with a decisive allowance victory at Golden Gate and two runner up finishes in graded stakes at Santa Anita: the Thunder Road (G3) and San Luis Rey (G3). Following two third place finishes-one in the All American and the other in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile-Camino Del Paraiso finally retrieved his first stakes win in the 2020 Rolling Green Stakes. His confidence grew from there, and he proceeded to win three additional stakes: two runnings of the Joseph T. Grace (in 2020 and 2021) and a repeat victory in the Rolling Green of 2021.

Camino Del Paraiso made his 9-year-old debut in the 2022 Unusual Heat Turf Classic at Santa Anita and finished second in a hard-fought decision. He returned in the Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile at Turf Paradise and ran a subpar race. Jauregui attributed the off-the-board finish to the turf course; Camino Del Paraiso simply did not enjoy racing over it. His final race was a terrific effort, running third in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile on April 30. He finished third behind Southern California invaders Vanzzy and Evening Sun in a full field of 14.

Camino Del Paraiso, by Suances out of the Successful Appeal mare Loni’s Appeal, raced 48 times and visited the winners circle on nine occasions. He ran second twelve times and checked in third in five other races. Bred in California by Red Baron’s Barn LLC, Camino Del Paraiso earned $650,0332.

“Honestly, he is one of the classiest horses I’ve ever been around,” said Jauregui. “He did everything right. He gave us his best. We’re going to miss him at the barn, but he had a great run.”

HARD TO SEPARATE MAIN CONTENDERS IN TURF ALLOWANCE ON SATURDAY

A large field of 11 are slated to race in the featured eighth race on Saturday, a first level allowance at one mile on turf. The race is also featured in the second leg of the Golden Hour Late Pick 4 bet.

The morning line favorite at 7-2 is Loafers Boy, who finished third in his most recent afternoon appearance at the first level allowance condition. In fact, Loafers Boy has either hit the board or won in his last four races at the aforementioned condition. He cuts back to eight furlongs-a distance that trainer Leanna Ekstrom has said in the past may be too short for him-but should be listed as a major player with his consistent form in mind.

Trip handicappers will surely take a second look at Secret Club, who dealt with traffic trouble in his most recent start. He eventually ran fourth. The son of Clubhouse Ride was claimed for $20,000 out of a California-bred allowance race at Santa Anita by trainer Ed Moger Jr. and makes his second start off the claim.

Memo Daddy won a starter allowance race in his first start off a $20,000 claim for trainer Tim Bellasis two starts ago. Most recently, he finished second at this allowance level in a one mile and a sixteenth turf race. He has yet to run a bad race in three career starts in Northern California but sports an 0 for 6 record when racing at the eight-furlong distance on turf. Nonetheless, he is a legit contender.

Lord Brancusi has run second in his last five starts at this level. In a few of those races, he received less than ideal trips whether it be due to traffic issues, wide trips, or breaking slowly from the gate. A naturally fast horse in sprints, he figures to be part of the pace for leading trainer Jonathan Wong.

Anitanewmercedes ran third in his last two races at the California-bred allowance condition at Santa Anita and returns to his home base for local trainer Isidro Tamayo. He is another that does his best work close to the pace. East Rand won a $20,000 claimer on turf and takes the next logical step to the first level allowance condition for Southern California trainer Leonard Powell, who has won with 3 of his 6 starters (with 2 other third place finishes) at the Winter/Spring meet. Black Caspian, the last of the major players, has put up a pair of subpar efforts as of late but finished ahead of morning line favorite Loafers Boy in a couple of races in March. His best run puts him in the hunt.

9-races made the Saturday overnight. First post is 1:15 PM.

Race 8 on Saturday (First level allowance for 3 YO and up at one mile on turf)

#1 Sea of Liberty (Jockey William Antongeorgi II…Trainer Jamey Thomas…morning line: 3-1)

#2 Secret Club (Silvio Amador…Ed Moger Jr…6-1)

#3 Loafers Boy (Pedro Terrero…Leanna Ekstrom…7-2)

#4 Sal N Louie (Daniel Vergara…Victor Trujillo…30-1)

#5 Kodiaction (Armando Ayuso…Jedd Josephson…10-1)

#6 Lord Brancusi (Brayan Pena…Jonathan Wong…6-1)

#7 Memo Daddy (Irving Orozco…Tim Bellasis…9-2)

#8 Black Caspian (Frank Alvarado…Manny Badilla…6-1)

#9 East Rand (Julien Couton…Leonard Powell…12-1)

#10 Anitanewmercedes (Evin Roman…Isidro Tamayo…5-1)

#11 Alvaaro (Santos Rivera…Victor Trujillo…15-1)

SOME OF THE FASTEST FILLY AND MARES AT GOLDEN GATE CLASH IN SUNDAY FEATURE

Some of the fastest filly and mare sprinters in Northern California compete in Race 4 on Sunday, an open allowance at six furlongs on Tapeta. 9 races are on the docket this Sunday with first post set for 1:15 PM.

Northwest Factor draws the rail and will need to work out a good trip from there. She cuts back from a route to a sprint after a third-place finish in the Golden Poppy Stakes routing on turf. Northwest Factor has run five times at six furlongs, with two wins and two third place finishes at the distance.  

Stablemates Day Plan and The Pharaoh’s Girl exit the same race on May 20, a five-furlong turf dash. That day, Day Plan pressed the pace and placed second, unable to catch race winner Carolina Mia. This will be Day Plan’s second start off an eight-month layoff. The Pharaoh’s Girl sat at the back of the pack and failed to fire, finishing last in the field of six. She returns to a surface that we know she likes; she has won her last three races on the main track Tapeta.

Strike At Dawn has not been seen since a second-place finish in an allowance race at Woodbine in November of 2020. Sporting a pair of bullet workouts leading up to this race for new trainer Blaine Wright, Strike At Dawn has yet to compete in a sprint race in twelve lifetime starts.

The Quentin B. Miller trained pair of Rose Princess and Tip Top Gal round out the field. Rose Princess was a well beaten third in a claiming race while Tip Top Gal was a non-threatening ninth in the Camilla Urso Stakes on turf in April.

Race 4 on Sunday (Open allowance for fillies and mares 3 YO and up at 6 furlongs on Tapeta)

#1 Northwest Factor (Jockey Pedro Terrero…Trainer Manny Badilla)

#2 Day Plan (Evin Roman…Jonathan Wong)

#3 Strike At Dawn (Julien Couton…Blaine Wright)

#4 Tip Top Gal (Armando Ayuso…Quentin B. Miller)

#5 The Pharaoh’s Girl (William Antongeorgi III…Jonathan Wong)

#6 Rose Princess (Jose Rodirguez…Quentin B. Miller)

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week.

Friday

Race 1: Gold Rush Gal (New trainer D. Wayne Baker…New owner Richard Barton & Kate Penner)

Race 1: Maggie Fitzgerald (Tim McCanna…Scott Gruender)

Saturday

Race 3: Hot Rageous (Trainer Ed Moger Jr…Doug Kline)

Sunday

Race 4: Forgotten Vows (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Race 6: Sync (Wendell McDaniel…Chris Gounalakis)

Race 9: Shaman’s Prodigy (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables and Clay Sides)

Monday

Race 3: Mary Margaret (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing)

Race 9: Diamond Willow (Jeff Metz…Saratoga West)

Race 9: Refi Now (Owner/Trainer Jacqui Navarre)

FINISH LINES: With six racing days to go, Evin Roman remains at the top of the jockey standings with 75 wins at the Winter/Spring meet. Pedro Terrero is three wins behind with 72…Milestone alert: Trainer Steve Specht has won 1,492 races in his career, meaning he is 8 wins shy of career victory 1,500. Trainer Jonathan Wong has won 992 races-8 wins away from 1,000…Race 7 on Friday is the top race of the day, a first level allowance on turf for fillies and mares First post on Friday card is 1:15 PM…Jockey Abdul Alsagoor picked up his first Golden Gate Fields win with Mary Margaret in last Monday’s third race. An apprentice rider from Southern California, Alsagoor was in the Bay Area to ride a couple of races on Monday…Three of the five entrants in Saturday’s Grade 3 $100,000 Desert Stormer at Santa Anita feature runners who have competed at Golden Gate: two-time GGF allowance winner Becca Taylor (trained by Steve Miyadi), 10 time GGF winner Dynasty of Her Own (Jonathan Wong), and multiple GGF winner Annie Graham (Miyadi)…$8,444 is the carryover amount in the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager heading into Friday.

GOLD RUSH WEEKEND PARTICIPANTS SHIP SOUTH FOR STAKES ENGAGEMENTS

A handful of Golden Gate Fields based equines voyage to Santa Anita Park to compete in stakes races over the weekend. All appear to enter their respective races with a legit chance to win.

Trainer Steve Specht is sending Royal ‘n Rando for the $150,000 Snow Chief Stakes at one mile and an eighth on turf. The race is restricted to California-bred or sired 3-year-olds. The son of Tamarando last posted a 7-1 upset in the $75,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes. That day, he defeated Highland Ghost in the shadow of the wire, coming from off the pace and nailing the aforementioned foe in the dying stages of the race.  Royal ‘n Rando, set at 4-1 on the morning line in the Snow Chief, is owned by longtime breeders Larry and Marianne Williams. Regular jockey Frank Alvarado makes the trip south to ride.  

On Sunday, Specht and Alvarado team up once more with Ellamira in the $100,000 Honeymoon Stakes, for 3-year-old fillies at nine furlongs on turf. The California-bred by Street Boss was last seen winning the Campanile Stakes against California-bred fillies at Golden Gate and now faces Grade 3, open company.

“I worked [Royal ‘n Rando and Ellamira] five eighths of a mile together [last Sunday morning] and they went very well,” Specht told Santa Anita publicity’s Ed Golden a few days ago. “I got them in a minute and three-fifths.”

4-year-old gelding Jimmy Blue Jeans won the Snow Chief Stakes last year and returns to the scene of that victory one year later. He faces older California-breds on Sunday in the $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes on turf at one mile and has been installed as the 9-5 morning line favorite.

Most recently, Jimmy Blue Jeans set the pace before fading to an off-the-board finish in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile. Earlier in the year, he won a second level allowance race at Golden Gate. Jockey Kyle Frey has guided Jimmy Blue Jeans to two of his five career victories and picks up the mount in the Crystal Water.

Andy Mathis, who trains Jimmy Blue Jeans, also opts to send 3-year-old filly Vincero Grande to the Snow Chief Stakes. She faces male counterparts for the first time and sports an 8-1 morning line. A daughter of Mr. Big owned by SLO Racing Stable, Vincero Grande comes off a runner up finish behind Ellamira in the Campanile Stakes on May 1. Santa Anita leading rider Juan Hernandez has the call on Saturday for the Mathis barn.

On Monday, the Ed Moger Jr. trained Stilleto Boy seeks his first Grade I win in the $400,000 Hollywood Gold Cup at one-mile and a quarter on dirt. Stilleto Boy won the Grade 2 Californian on April 30 and sports a wicked quick 58 and 4/5 five-furlong breeze since the victory. The son of Shackleford has finished in-the-money in three Grade I races (the Awesome Again Stakes, the Malibu Stakes and the Pegasus World Cup) and passed the one-million-dollar earnings after his most recent run in the Californian.

JAUREGUI HOPES FOR BIG WEEKEND IN MULTIPLE STATES

Trainer O.J. Jauregui spoke to Golden Gate Fields publicity late Wednesday morning while getting ready to pack his bags for a trip to the southwest. On Monday, Jauregui saddles 4-year-old colt Tesoro in the Grade 3 $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile on dirt at Lonestar Park in Texas.

“We are going to run on a dirt track for the next few months, so it makes sense to go that direction,” said Jauregui. “He flew on the airplane and [got] to Lonestar Wednesday afternoon.”

Last time out, Tesoro raced on the turf for the first time and earned a career high 92 Beyer speed figure when defeating a group of second level allowance horses. That said, Tesoro has proven he can ship and run well on dirt. In November, he finished second behind 2021 Arkansas Derby winner Super Stock in the Zia Park Derby in New Mexico-a race run over a dirt course-and also ran third in the Bull Dog Stakes at Fresno against older horses one month prior.

Jauregui has tabbed 2022 Kentucky Derby winning jockey Sonny Leon to ride Tesoro, who is listed at 20-1 on the morning line.

“Sonny’s agent called me and told me he really wanted to ride the horse,” said Jauregui. “I said, ‘Why not?’ He did a heck of a job in the Kentucky Derby. I’ve been watching and he’s been winning some races where he’s at. He’s riding good. So, we’re going to give him a chance.”

On Sunday, Jauregui will be watching on a television when his 3-year-old California-bred Highland Ghost runs in Sunday’s Alcatraz Stakes at Golden Gate. Highland Ghost had the lead in in his most recent afternoon appearance, the one-mile Silky Sullivan Stakes on grass, before getting tagged in the final stride by race winner Royal ‘n Rando.

“Highland Ghost worked really well the other day,” said Jauregui. “His last few sprint races have been really good. I put him in the [route] race last time and there was no shame in the way he ran. Second time going long, back-to-back, I think that will definitely help him. My horse is ready to run. With him, he can go right on the lead or lay close. He’s got tactical speed. I imagine he’s going to use it, sit close and make his run.”

WONG LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BOISE BACK TO TURF IN THE ALCATRAZ

After a runner up finish in the California Derby on Tapeta, trainer Jonathan Wong gets 3-year-old Temple City gelding Boise back to grass in the feature race on Sunday at Golden Gate, the $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes for 3-year-olds. Boise broke his maiden sprinting on the grass as a 2-year-old and returned in his first start against winners over the Del Mar grass course, losing by ¾ of a length in the Qatar Golden Mile, an undercard stakes race on Breeders Cup Friday.

Although Boise won the Gold Rush Stakes in 2021 over the Tapeta, Wong believes that Boise will enjoy returning to turf races for the foreseeable future.

“He’s run two really good races on the grass,” said Wong. “There was a third race where he ran on turf at Santa Anita, but he didn’t like the course at all that day.”

In his last start, Boise only finished a head behind race winner Il Bellator in the California Derby. Even though he didn’t win, Wong was pleased with his effort.

“I was over the moon,” said Wong. “He hadn’t run in a few months so I wasn’t sure if he might ‘need the race.’ He ran well. Since his last race, he’s worked well and we haven’t had to do too much with him except keep him fit and happy. He ran hard [in the California Derby.] He’s fit.”

Boise will be ridden by William Antongeorgi III for the first time in the Alcatraz. Owned in partnership by Jason Hall, Scott Herbertson and Sheldon Steinmetz, the Kentucky-bred was purchased for $27,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September yearling sale and has earned $92,950 in six lifetime starts.

The Alcatraz goes as Race 8 on a 9-race card on Sunday. First post is 1:15 PM PT.

Race 8: The $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes (for 3-year-olds at one mile on turf)

#1 Highland Ghost (Jockey Catalino Martinez…Trainer O.J. Jauregui…2-1 morning line odds)

#2 Meetmeattheclub (Silvio Amador…Dan Franko…12-1)

#3 Boise (William Antongeorgi III…Jonathan Wong…9-5)

#4 Will Is Chill (Daniel Vergara…Jonathan Wong…20-1)

#5 St Anthony (Pedro Terrero…Neil Drysdale…9-2)

#6 Trip to Spain (Evin Roman…Jamey Thomas…6-1)

#7 Chief Wild Eagle (Assael Espinoza…Tim McCanna…6-1)

PLENTY OF LOCALS EXPECTED FOR MONDAY’S ALL AMERICAN

Golden Gate Fields offers a Memorial Day Monday live racing card. The feature race on Memorial Day every year is the aptly named All American Stakes. With a $100,000 purse, the All American is a one-mile event on the Tapeta for 3-year-olds and upward.

The 2022 edition attracts some of the top older handicap horses in Northern California. Among the probables is Tom’s Surprise, who has won a trio of allowance races since being claimed for $20,000 by trainer Jack Steiner and owner Remmah Racing Inc. Tom’s Surprise comes off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile.

Freeport Joe returns to arguably his best surface in the All American. Winner of the Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap, Freeport Joe put up a much better than looked effort in the San Francisco Mile. That day, he missed the break before rallying on down the lane to finish three lengths behind race winner Evening Sun. Gloria Haley trains for owner Larry Odbert.

The top three finishers in a May 1 open allowance race are possible to run. Among that trio is the All-American defending champion, Navy Armed Guard, who ran third on the first of the month. If he were to run in the All American, it would be his second start off a three-and-a-half-month layoff. War Games was making his first start routing for veteran trainer Cliff DeLima on May 1 and won the race in gate to wire fashion. A hard trying gelding, he figures to make some noise with his best effort. Govenor’s Party, a hard knocker who often outruns his odds, will likely be a price play to consider for trainer Dan Franko. He was the runner up finisher in the May 1 allowance.

The Steve Sherman trained pair of American Farmer and Nolde are also likely to enter. American Farmer ran fourth in the May 1 allowance but defeated Freeport Joe in a prior race at the aforementioned level earlier this year. Nolde makes his second start off a lengthy layoff after an off-the-board finish in the San Francisco Mile. Before the break, Nolde won the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby in 2019.

Entries for the All American and the rest of the Monday card will be taken and published on Friday afternoon.

SEASONED JOURNEYMAN VERGARA REJOINS JOCKEY COLONY

Jockey Daniel Vergara, who was at Golden Gate Fields in the latter half of 2020 and has been riding regularly in Arizona since then, is back at Golden Gate and will be represented by agent Brent Harmon.

“He can horseback,” said Harmon. “He’s a solid rider. Obviously, he’s been here before, so the good news is people know him. He’s riding different barns in the mornings. He’s already getting opportunities. We’re just going to keep trying to build his business.”

Heading into Friday, Vergara is six wins shy of 1,500 career victories. A native of Mexico City, Vergara has ridden at tracks across the United States. The list includes Santa Anita, Del Mar, Hollywood Park, and Fairplex (Southern California), Finger Lakes (New York), Canterbury Park (Minnesota), Parx (Pennsylvania), and Turf Paradise (Arizona).

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week:

Friday

Race 1: Grazen Honor (Jesus Ramos…Juan Ochoa)

Race 8: Carasynthia (Isidro Tamayo…Marron Road Ventures LLC)

Saturday

Race 3: Born to Reign (Jonathan Wong…Madden Racing)

Race 3: Casino Games (D. Wayne Baker…Richard Barton and Kate Penner)

Race 5: Remember Sue (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables, Johnny and Marcel Taboada)

Race 7: Edinburgh Express (Jonathan Wong…Battle Born Racing Stable)

Race 8: Strut to the Wire (Isidro Tamayo…Frankly Speaking LLC)

Sunday

Race 2: A Man’s Man (New Trainer Jack Steiner…new owner(s) Remmah Racing & Steiner)

Race 4: Ted (Jonathan Wong…Scott Herbertson)

Race 7: Minoso (Jack Steiner…Jim Maher)

Race 9: Alesha (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing)

FINISH LINES: 2021 Golden Poppy Stakes winner Altea was sold for $620,000 to Yulong Investments at the Magic Millions breeding sale in Australia. Currently, Altea is in foal to top European stallion Lope de Vega…Two “baby races” will be run at Golden Gate this week. On Friday, Race 4 is a maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies. The field consists of eight entrants. On Saturday, 11 colts and geldings are entered in Race 4, a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds at 5 furlongs…A super card has been assembled for Saturday’s races. Race 7 is a first level allowance for 3-year-old sprinters. Among the entrants in the field of nine are impressive maiden winner Winter Falcon, the Doug O’Neill trained Franklin One Star, and Big Papa Steve, who has already won once at the level once before…Race 8, is a second level allowance for filly and mare turf routers. Among the leading entrants in the field of eight: first level allowance winning stablemates Natural Colours and Scherzo, stakes placed 3-year-old filly Music Festival, Southern California shipper and multiple Golden Gate Fields winner Bellamore, and the quickly improving Assignation…Away From the Sun, who sports a 3 for 4 lifetime record, makes her 2022 debut in the fifth race on Saturday for trainer Blaine Wright. She goes up against Lagatha, who ran second to multiple stakes winner Becca Taylor last time out…Happy `birthday to jockey agent John Buc, trainer Terri Eaton and jockey Cristobal Herrera, who celebrate their birthdays within the next week…$9,304 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager heading into Friday.

WONG TRAINED PAIR WILL NEED TO COME WITH THEIR BEST IN SALTY FRIDAY ALLOWANCE

On Friday, filly and mare turf sprinters take to the 5-furlong distance in Race 4, one of three allowances races spread throughout the program. This particular event is an “open” allowance race, meaning it is not a particular condition that only certain horses fit. In turn, it has attracted some of the best filly and mare one-turn racers in Northern California.

Leading trainer Jonathan Wong saddles a pair of contenders in Day Plan and The Pharoah’s Girl. Both were entered to compete in the Camilla Urso Stakes on Gold Rush Weekend Saturday but failed to draw into the main body of the field from the also-eligible list.

“These things happen,” said Wong. “Not everything goes to plan all the time. We kept training and waited for another race for them.” 

The Pharaoh’s Girl makes her second lifetime start on turf. Her only other race on grass resulted in an off-the-board finish in a maiden special weight at Santa Anita last year. With that in mind, she has improved significantly since then.

In her last three races, she has quickly knocked off race conditions, winning a maiden special weight, followed by a first level allowance victory and, most recently, a second level allowance win. In all three victories, she led the field from start to finish. With other speed signed on in Friday’s fourth race, Wong believes The Pharaoh’s Girl is versatile enough to play it by the break.

“If someone wants to send really hard and go fast out there, I don’t think it would be a problem if she sat off and stalked the pace,” said Wong. “I’m going to leave that up to [jockey] Billy [Antongeorgi III]. The 5 furlongs will be a good distance for her.”

Day Plan is a wildcard contender. A lightly raced filly with a 3 for 5 record, the daughter of Carpe Diem has beaten allowance company on dirt and synthetic. She makes her career debut over turf.

“We’ve always thought a lot of her,” said Wong. “When she was 2, I thought she was one of our best 2-year-olds in the barn. She’s had a couple minor issues where we’ve had to stop on her. Right now, she’s training phenomenal. She’s going to sit off the pace and make a run. The distance [of the race] might be a little short, but she’s ready to run and, like I said, she’s been training lights out.”

The Wong-trained pair would need to come with their “A+” effort to win. In fact, neither are the morning line favorite. Awarded morning line favoritism at 9-5 is Carolina Mia, a Felix Rondan trainee who sports a 2 for 3 record sprinting on turf. The daughter of Gallant Son won a first level allowance by open lengths two races ago before regressing off a two-week turnaround against tougher in the Camilla Urso on April 30. Also entered in Friday’s fourth race is Maybe I Will, last seen finishing second to stakes winner Rebalation at the open allowance condition on Tapeta. She figures to show speed from the rail post position. Longshots La Aguililla and Fairy Tale Bliss round out the field.

First post on to kick off the racing week is 1:15 PM PT.

Race 4 (Friday, May 20: Open allowance for fillies and mares 3 YO & up at 5 furlongs on turf)

#1 Maybe I Will (Jockey Catalino Martinez…Trainer Blaine Wright…Morning line odds of 3-1)

#2 The Pharaoh’s Girl (William Antongeorgi III…Jonathan Wong…5-2)

#3 La Aguililla (Pedro Terrero…Jesus Ramos…15-1)

#4 Carolina Mia (Santos Rivera…Felix Rondan…9-5)

#5 Fairy Tale Bliss (Armando Ayuso…Sergio Ledezma…10-1)

#6 Day Plan (Evin Roman…Jonathan Wong…7-2)

EXECUTIVE CHEF SEEKS TO SERVE UP ANOTHER WIN

You want to get to know a horse? Ask their trainer about them. If a trainer feels like sharing, they will know just about everything that needs to known.

Some horses’ stories are longer than others. In the case of 3-year-old gelding Executive Chef, Blaine Wright didn’t need to use too many words to describe the improving Virginia-bred.

“Heck, he’s never runs a bad race,” said Wright. “He’s done everything we’ve asked of him.”

Hard to knock that.

Executive Chef faces a quintet of rivals in the co-featured fourth race on Saturday, a one mile first level allowance race restricted to 3-year-olds. Executive Chef comes off a three-quarter length win against a better-than-average maiden special weight group on April 29. That day, he was making his first start at a route distance.

“Obviously, you always like to see them win,” said Wright. “He ran well [when he broke his maiden] and came out of the race well. He breezed really nice going a half mile the other morning [last Saturday] and now gets his first shot against winners. Hopefully he takes to it.”

Wright expects that Executive Chef can work out a good, stalking trip from the inside post. Jockey Frank Alvarado subs in for regular rider Kevin Orozco, who moved north to ride at Emerald Downs for the spring and summer.

“It looks like there’s some speed for him to run at,” said Wright.

Executive Chef faces formidable foes in his debut against non-maidens. 6-5 morning line favorite Midnight Mammoth exits a fifth-place finish in the California Derby and finds needed class relief in Friday’s fourth race. Trained by Steve Sherman, Midnight Mammoth ran second to eventual California Derby winner Il Bellator three races ago before finishing as the runner up again in an allowance event on turf two starts back.

5-2 morning line shot Canelito pulled off two consecutive victories against maiden claimers and starter allowance company at Gulfstream Park over the winter. He makes his first start in California for new trainer Jonathan Wong.

Sync has won three races in a row and gets a class test for trainer Reid France. Nuestro Engreido and Go Thru the Hole will need to improve to win. The former has finished off the board in recent allowance tries while the latter comes off a claiming victory in his first start routing for trainer Leanna Ekstrom.

Nine races made the Golden Gate Saturday overnight. First post is later than usual: 1:45 PM PT. Along with Golden Gate’s nine race program, the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Racecourse highlights the afternoon of racing around the country. Fans on-track can watch and wager on entire Pimlico card, as well as other racetracks across North America.

Among the on-track festivities at Golden Gate on Saturday is our annual Preakness Watch Party in the turf club, featuring a scrumptious buffet prepared by head chef Victor Nava and his diligent culinary crew. For folks in the local area who wish to attend the Preakness Watch Party, please visit Goldengatefields.com for more information and or to purchase tickets for the event.

Race 4 (Saturday, May 21: First-level allowance for 3 YO’s at one mile on Tapeta)

#1 Executive Chef (Jockey Frank Alvarado…Trainer Blaine Wright…Morning line odds of 7-2)

#2 Sync (Catalino Martinez…Reid France…8-1)

#3 Go Thru the Hole (Alejandro Gomez…Leanna Ekstrom…15-1)

#4 Canelito (Cristobal Herrera…Jonathan Wong…5-2)

#5 Neustro Engreido (Santos Rivera…Felix Rondan …8-1)

#6 Midnight Mammoth (William Antongeorgi III…Steve Sherman…6-5)

STAKES PERFORMERS SPARKA AND TAM’S LITTLE ANGEL CLASH IN SUNDAY FEATURE

An appealing group of 3-year-old fillies route one-mile in Race 5 on Sunday, an allowance optional $50,000 claimer on Tapeta. Within the field of six, two players who enter fresh off solid stakes efforts appear as the ones to beat.

The first of them is Tam’s Little Angel, who won at this first level allowance condition over turf on April 3. She wheeled back one month later and finished third in the Campanile Stakes. As a 2-year-old last year, the Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams homebred checked in third in the Golden Gate Debutante on Tapeta. Trainer Steve Specht has opted to fit Tam’s Little Angel with blinkers in Sunday’s fifth race, something we have not seen with her in all eight lifetime starts.

The other likely to get plenty of play is Sparka, an Irish bred who most recently ran fourth in the California Oaks behind the most accomplished 3-year-old filly on the grounds in Anthony’s Cleopatra. The Manny Badilla trainee was purchased by owners Ron Charles and Sam Gordon for $31,360 at a public auction in Europe after ten races over synthetic and turf surfaces in Great Britain. She broke her maiden in her United States debut two races ago on April 8.

Sen Sen is the “other” Steve Specht entrant in the race. She has accomplished more than Sparka, having won a pair of first level allowance races in January and February. Her recent form is poor, however, with two consecutive defeats against tough company as of late. A California-bred having already won twice at the first level allowance condition, Sen Sen is entered for the $50,000 tag. 

Blueberry Eyes will get a second look from horseplayers who consider speed figures as an important handicapping tool. The daughter of Acclamation comes off a starter allowance win in which she earned a best last-race Beyer speed figure (75) out of anyone in the field. She sports an extremely consistent record on Tapeta, with three wins and two third-place finishes from five starts over the surface. This will be her third start off a claim by Jonathan Wong and owners Madden Racing, MJVET Stables and Rockstar Racing Stable.

Always Seeking makes her route debut while also facing winners for the first time. Racing off about a seven-month layoff last time out for trainer Jack Steiner, the daughter of Rousing Sermon stalked the pace before unleashing a rally to win a five-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight against open company. California-bred Happy Is also beat open maiden special weight company last time, though that effort came against turf routers. She moves back to the Tapeta in her first race against non-maidens.

A 9-race Sunday program completes the racing week. First post is 1:15 PM.

Race 8 (Sunday, May 22: First-level allowance for 3 YO fillies at one mile on Tapeta)

#1 Always Seeking (Jockey Evin Roman…Trainer Jack Steiner)

#2 Blueberry Eyes (William Antongeorgi…Jonathan Wong)

#3 Sen Sen (Assael Espinoza…Steve Specht)

#4 Happy Is (Alejandro Gomez…Quinn Howey)

#5 Sparka (Frank Alvarado…Manny Badilla)

#6 Tam’s Little Angel (Catalino Martinez…Steve Specht)

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week.

Friday

Race 1: Cliffsofthunder (New trainer D. Wayne Baker…New owner(s) Richard and Kate Barton)

Race 1: Harbor Abbey (Owner/Trainer Dan Franko

Race 2: Queen of the Track (Ruby Thomas…William Heck)

Race 3: Lookin for Revenge (Jack Steiner…Randy Marriott and Steiner)

Race 4: Vantage Point (Isidro Tamayo…Frankly Speaking LLC)

Race 5: Coolcross (Jack Steiner…Michael Radovich)

Race 7: Persuasive Lips (Steve Sherman…Zvika Akin, Gary Lyon, Joan Richter and Sherman)

Saturday

Race 1: African Prince (Owner/Trainer Dan Franko)

Sunday

Race 1; Alleycat (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Race 4: Resurrected Noble (Aggie Ordonez…McLean Racing Stables)

Race 9: Wear the Crown (Tim McCanna…Pat LePley)

FINISH LINES: After a successful last week, Evin Roman pushed to the lead in the jockey standings. Heading into Friday, he sports 68 wins at the current Winter/Spring meeting. Armando Ayuso and Pedro Terrero are currently tied for second with 66 wins apiece…Jonathan Wong remains the leader in the trainer standings with 59 victories. Isidro Tamayo sits in second with 41 wins while Reid France and Tim McCanna are tied for third with 27 wins apiece…We welcome jockey Daniel Vergara to the jockey colony. Shipping in from Turf Paradise in Arizona, Vergara rides one horse for trainer Cliff DeLima on Saturday and three for a trio of different trainers on Sunday. An in-depth article is coming in next week’s edition of the News and Notes…Along with Friday’s fourth race, other allowance races on the day come in Races 6 and 7. Race 6 is a first level allowance. Race 7 is enticing: a second level allowance featuring the uber consistent In Our A, graded stakes placed gelding Kiwi’s Dream, the Isidro Tamayo trained pair of Clem Labine and Union Dance, recent first level allowance winners Torpedo Away and Truth Seeker, stakes performer Cool Mountain Lad, and the Bill McLean conditioned Hey Mate…The Tapeta nightcap on Saturday is an extremely contentious first level allowance at one mile and a sixteenth. Horseplayers could make a legit argument for every horse in the race…The Golden Pick 6 jackpot was hit two days in a row: last Saturday and Sunday. The jackpot pool begins anew this Friday.

“HARD TRYER” CODE RIBBON MAKES 3-YEAR-OLD DEBUT IN SATURDAY CO-FEATURE

The developmental stage from two-years-old to three is a crucial time for thoroughbred racehorses. Some horses gradually progress and improve with time. Others are precocious before leveling off and seeing their counterparts catch up to them in racing ability.

With that in mind, trainer Jacqui Navarre is hopeful that 3-year-old filly Code Ribbon has made the necessary jump from two to three to be competitive in the eighth race on Saturday, a first level allowance for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs on Tapeta. The California-bred daughter of Desert Code sports a flashy work pattern, including a fast 1:12 flat six-furlong workout and a sharp half mile blowout in 47 seconds flat. Both drills were the fastest of all workouts at the distance for those particular mornings.

“She’s always been a small filly,” said Navarre. “She’s still her peanut self. She might’ve gotten a little thicker, a little wider…but she’s still a pretty small filly. She trains the same in the mornings. She’s always been a good worker and eager to train. She loves her job. We’ve got a couple six furlong works into her, so hopefully that’s good enough to have her fit and ready off the layoff.” 

Last year, Code Ribbon never finished off the board in six starts. Among those efforts: a first level allowance win, a runner up finish in the Golden Gate Debutante sprinting on Tapeta, and a third-place in the Pike Place Dancer Stakes racing two turns on turf. It’s worth mentioning that the winner of the Golden Gate Debutante, Ellamira, most recently won the Campanile Stakes on Gold Rush Weekend Sunday.

“Ellamira has gone on to do pretty well,” said Navarre. “Hopefully that means we’ll be OK.”

Purchased for $4,000 by owner Michael Pollowitz as a yearling, Cody Ribbon has already made $80,052. She sports two wins, two seconds and two third place finishes.  

“She’s 10% horse and 90% heart,” quipped Navarre. “When she gallops, as soon as she sees another horse go by her, she wants to catch them. She’s got that type of attitude. She just tries hard every race. For a $4,000 filly to do what she’s done…she’s exceeded expectations. We’re all just so proud of her.” 

Code Ribbon could get the right set up to be successful in her first start off about a five and a half month layoff. She is projected to get a fast pace to sit off. Tamara Mine, Iconic Sky and O’Neill’s Legacy are all fillies that entered in Saturday’s eighth race who have shown front running speed in past races. Frank Alvarado has been aboard Code Ribbon in all six lifetime races and retains the mount on Saturday.

“We’re hoping she can get a stalk and pounce type of trip,” said Navarre. “We drew the rail which isn’t the greatest spot to be, but Frank [Alvarado] knows this filly really well. He’s done a lot of work with her in the mornings, too. If we finish in the top three, we’d be tickled to death. I think this is a good starting spot for her.”

Code Ribbon has been installed at 5-1 on the morning line. The likely post time favorite will be Rose Maddox, an extremely versatile filly from the Steve Miyadi barn that has shown the ability to sprint or route on any surface. The Nick Alexander homebred has won two California-bred allowance races at Santa Anita as of late, with one of those races sprinting on the dirt and the other against turf routers.

Nine races made the Saturday overnight. First post is 1:15 PM PT.

Race 8 on Saturday (First level allowance for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs on Tapeta)

#1 Code Ribbon (Jockey Frank Alvarado…trainer Jacqui Navarre…5-1)

#2 Tamara Mine (Catalino Martinez…Steve Specht…8-1)

#3 Iconic Sky (Julien Couton…Andy Mathis…12-1)

#4 Tiz a Tiger (Santos Rivera…Bill McLean…20-1)

#5 Irish Wahine (Irving Orozco…Ed Moger Jr…20-1)

#6 Amaaza (Silvio Amador…Ed Moger Jr…10-1)

#7 Dulce Emma (Pedro Terrero…Jesus Ramos…9-2)

#8 Rose Maddox (Armando Ayuso…Steve Miyadi…9-5)

#9 O’Neills Legacy (Assael Espinoza…Andy Mathis…7-2)

LOAFERS BOY BACK TO TURF AND BACK IN THE ALLOWANCE RANKS

6-year-old gelding Loafers Boy enters a first level allowance on Sunday, Race 8, fresh off a victory at the aforementioned condition on April 23. That afternoon, he sat off a fast pace going a mile and an eighth on the Tapeta and won the contest in the final stride. For trainer Leanna Ekstrom, the win was well overdue.

“He’s a really nice horse,” said Ekstrom. “He’s had some rough luck. I think he was a little bit too far back in some of his past races and just had too much ground to make up.”

Two starts ago, Loafers Boy ran a mile and a sixteenth on the turf-the same conditions he will find this Sunday-and finished third behind Seattle Bold and Black Caspian. Both horses are entered to run in Sunday’s eighth race. That said, Loafers Boy finished ahead of the two aforementioned foes on April 23.

“Loafers Boy can run all day,” said Ekstrom. “I would prefer the race to be at a mile and an eighth. The farther the better for him. But the mile and a sixteenth is fine. It’s better for him than a mile.”

Along with preferred distances, Loafers Boy related discussions have included questioning his preferred surface. For quite a while, most Golden Gate handicappers would tell you that turf was the surface Loafers Boy most enjoyed racing over. Before his last victory, two of his three lifetime wins had come over turf. He also had posted an unflattering 0 for 7 lifetime record over the Golden Gate Tapeta main track.

Ekstrom, in the meantime, thought he could be equally effective on both surfaces. Her longtime opinion may have been proven correct on April 23, as he earned a career high Beyer speed figure (85) on the Tapeta that day.

“For him, it’s more about getting the right scenario,” said Ekstrom. “He can run into a slower pace or a fast pace, but really the key with him is getting him to run fractions he is comfortable setting and then getting in a good stride. You have to time it right with him and if you do, then he’ll run a good race. I thought [jockey] Pedro [Terrero] rode him really well last time.” 

A contentious field is signed up in the featured eighth race on Sunday. A nine race programs kicks off at 1:15 PM PT.

Race 8 on Sunday (First level allowance for 3-year-olds and up at one mile on turf)

#1 Shot of a Lifetime (Jockey Silvio Amador…trainer Ellen Jackson)

#2 Draw the Foul (William Antongeorgi III…Greg James)

#3 Black Caspian (Frank Alvarado …Manny Badilla)

#4 Loafers Boy (Pedro Terrero…Leanna Ekstrom)

#5 Sal N Louie (Brayan Pena…Victory Trujillo)

#6 Kowboykabin (Assael Espinoza…Blaine Wright)

#7 Secret Club (Armando Ayuso…Ed Moger Jr.)

#8 Memo Daddy (Irving Orozco…Tim Bellasis)

#9 Seattle Bold (Evin Roman…Jamey Thomas)

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week.

Friday

Race 1: Artisan Dancer (New trainer Ed Moger Jr…new owner Bill Meikle)

Race 1: La Popis (Jack Steiner…Gary and Deborah Lusk)

Race 1: Sunset Star (D. Wayne Baker…Richard Barton)

Race 4: Dumb Luck (Isidro Tamayo…Leon Scott)

Race 4: Stanford Bay (Jesus Ramos…Roque and Luciano Orta)

Race 5: Can’thelpfallin (Owner/Trainer Andrew Nguyen)

Race 6: Blushing Bay (Jesus Ramos…Candelario Barragan and Roque and Luciano Orta)

Saturday

No Claims

Sunday

Race 1: Betito (Jack Steiner…Randy Marriott and Steiner)

Race 4: Engee Ombee (Jamey Thomas…Troy Thomas)

Race 5: Exclusive Speaker (Blaine Wright…Wright Racing Stable, Davis Racing, Russell & Strelo)

Race 5: Square Deal (Andy Mathis…William Branch, John Lovett and Mathis)

Race 6: Simply Perfect (Mike Lenzini…John Parker)

Race 7: Love of the Sport (Owner/Trainer D. Wayne Baker)

Race 7: Riviera Champ (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Race 8: Amanofmystature (Marcelino Trujillo…Nancy Salas-Ibarra and Floriberta Trujillo)

Race 8: Refi Now (Owner/Trainer Reid France)

FINISH LINES: With about a month left to go at the current Winter/Spring meet, the jockey race is as tight as could be. Jockeys Armando Ayuso and Pedro Terrero are deadlocked in the jockey standings with 63 wins apiece. Evin Roman lurks right behind in third place with 60 victories…Along with an intriguing eighth race on Saturday, the sixth race also adds appeal to the card. An allowance for filly and mare turf routers, the main contenders include local Misty Cat and two horses who last raced in Southern California (Mercy Mercy and Shezaghost)… Eight races kick off the racing week on Friday with first post set for 1:15 PM. $12,926 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six jackpot bet on Friday…Happy birthday to Golden Gate veterinarian Dr. Casille Batten, who celebrates her birthday later this week.

STAKES WINNER BECCA TAYLOR RETURNS TO THE BAY AREA

4-year-old California-bred filly Becca Taylor is one nose away from having a perfect resume.  The blossoming Nick Alexander homebred boasts a 6 for 7 lifetime record, with her lone loss coming last time out in the Irish O’Brien Stakes for California-bred or sired turf sprinters at Santa Anita. That day, she lost by the narrowest of margins as the 4-5 favorite.

In Saturday’s ninth race, Becca Taylor returns to the scene of a first level allowance win on January 29. That day, she was making her first start off a nine-and-a-half-month vacation at Golden Gate. She stalked the pace early and pulled away from her company down the stretch, hitting the wire four lengths clear of the runner up finisher. She was geared down in the end by jockey Armando Ayuso, who retains the mount this Saturday.

Amazingly, Becca Taylor is still eligible to win at the first allowance condition again. Taking advantage of the conditions, trainer Steve Miyadi opts to send his consistent sprinter to the Bay Area to break through at the aforementioned level one more time. Breaking from post position 8, she is projected to go off as a low odds favorite in a field of 10.

Her main competition may be Legatha, who got back to good form last time out after three consecutive poor performances. In her most recent start, Lagatha finished as the runner up-beaten just a neck-but ran a respectable race while earning a solid speed figure. Like Becca Taylor, she is a California-bred who has already won at the first level allowance condition.

Lagatha will need to turn the tables on Becca Taylor, however, as she finished five lengths behind her aforementioned counterpart on January 29. That said, Lagatha had run a career best race one race prior to “bouncing” in her next start against Becca Taylor.

Another intriguing runner in Saturday’s ninth race is My Legal Bet, making her second start off a lengthy break for trainer Jamey Thomas. She only lost by a length and a half at this level on April 1 and seeks to improve in her second start in the current form cycle. Irving Orozco was aboard last time out and decides to stick with Lagatha. With that, Evin Roman will be aboard for the first time.

10 races are on the docket for Saturday afternoon, with an early first post at 12:45 PM. Of course, fans on track can watch and wager on all races from Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Race 12 from Churchill Downs is the $3,000,000 Kentucky Derby for 3-year-olds at one mile and a quarter. Approximate post time for the ‘Derby: 6:57 PM ET/3:57 PM PT.

Race 9: First level allowance (for fillies & mares 3-year-olds & upward at six furlongs on Tapeta)

1. Canam Gal (Jockey Alejandro Gomez…Trainer Bill McLean…morning line odds of 10-1)

2. Daniela Bella (Silvio Amador…Ed Moger Jr…15-1)

3. My Legal Bet (Evin Roman…Jamey Thomas…6-1)

4. Lagatha (Irving Orozco…Reid France …7-2)

5. Emma’s Dance (Assael Espinoza…Ed Moger Jr…12-1)

6. Benson (WIllam Antongeorgi III…Jonathan Wong..20-1)

7. La Aguililla (Santos Rivera…Jesus Ramos…301)

8. Becca Taylor (Armando Ayuso…Steve Miyadi…6-5)

9. Damn the Torpedoes (Brayan Pena…Victor Trujillo …15-1)

10. Tiger Queen (Pedro Terrero…Jack Steiner…10-1)

TROJAN CLUBHOUSE SEEKS FIFTH CONSECUTIVE VICTORY ON FRIDAY

4-year-old chestnut filly Trojan Clubhouse failed to fire in four races to kick off her career. After a break from May of 2021 to December, she returned in a $5,000 maiden claiming condition and proceeded to wire the field at odds of 10-1. She hit the wire four lengths clear of the runner up finisher and looked like a new filly.

Her next start resulted in a third-place finish-her first try against winners-and she did not take kindly to losing that day. Since the aforementioned loss, Trojan Clubhouse won four consecutive races, including a second level allowance win in her most recent afternoon appearance on April 9.

“When she broke her maiden I thought, ‘Well, we can break a few conditions with her,’” said Trojan Clubhouse’s trainer Reid France. “I didn’t expect her to do this well. She’s just really come around.”

In Friday’s seventh race, a specialized starter allowance, Trojan Clubhouse is likely to go off heavily favored in search of her fifth consecutive trip to the winner’s circle. The race is a starter allowance for “fillies and mares three years old and upward which started for a claiming price of $8,000 or less in 2019-2022.” Because Trojan Clubhouse was in for a $5,000 condition when she broke her maiden last December, she is eligible to compete at the starter $8,000 level.

In all five lifetime victories, Trojan Clubhouse has been on the lead. With other pace signed on in Friday’s seventh race, France believes his filly is versatile enough to stalk the speed if need be.

“I don’t think she needs the lead,” said France confidently.

France mentioned two mares he worked with, Cowboy’s Daughter and Grade I placed Mended, as racers in the past who went on lengthy win streaks while continuously climbing up the class ladder.

“It seems like the fillies and mares go on these streaks more than the boys,” said France. “They get really confident. They find that will to win and they thrive.”

Eight races made the Friday overnight. Late first post time on Friday of 2:00 PM. Fans who attend the races can watch and wager on Kentucky Oaks Day from Churchill Downs and other tracks around the country.

Race 7: Starter allowance (For fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward at one mile on the Tapeta)

1. Chieftain’s Lady (Jockey Julien Couton…trainer Eddie Rich…morning line odds of 6-1)

2. Proof of Jazz (Pedro Terrero…Marcelino Trujillo…8-1)

3. Trojan Clubhouse (Armando Ayuso…Reid France…6-5)

4. Bold Article (Evin Roman…O.J. Jauregui…8-1)

5. Styledome (Irving Orozco…D. Wayne Baker…9-2)

6. Mybluebell (Brayan Pena…Sammy Calvario…5-1)

7. Mulhima (Alejandro Gomez…Mike Lenzini…8-1)

KENTUCKY DERBY PICKS

It’s this year’s addition of Kentucky Derby picks! We asked some folks from the Golden Gate Racing Community to share their top picks for this year’s big race:

Assael Espinoza (jockey): Taiba “The way he won the Santa Anita Derby first time routing was pretty impressive. He performed like a Kentucky Derby winner.”

Chris Carpenter (owner): White Abarrio “I really like the way he’s come back since the small break he received after a race in November. It just depends what kind of trip he can navigate.”

Matt Dinerman (announcer): Epicenter “I think Taiba is the most raw-talented horse in the race, but he better be special to win off of just two races against what looks like a super strong field this year. I watched Zandon win at Keeneland, and he sure looks like a horse that will relish the mile and a quarter. But the more I think about it, the more I feel that Epicenter could be the next big horse. He’s winning with more in the tank and has a good foundation of races in him.”

Reid France (trainer): Taiba “He reminds me of Justify.”

Doug Gooby (mutual manager): Taiba “He already beat his stablemate [Messier]. He’s lightly raced but I think there’s room for improvement, and he gets [jockey] Mike Smith. Money Mike always shows up for the big races. If the track comes up off, then I give longshot Tiz the Bomb a shot.”

O.J. Jauregui (trainer): Messier “He’ll be ready for his biggest effort yet.”

Steve Martinelli (racing secretary and morning line maker): Taiba “Only a special horse could do what he did last time off one maiden sprint win. He beat, up to that point, the best 3-year-old in California [Messier] on the square. If he can work out a trip, he will wear the roses after only his third trip to the post.”

Monty Meier (trainer): Classic Causeway “His trainer Brian Lynch is an old friend of mine and Classic Causeway’s gallop girl comes from a family I used to ride for. I’ve seen pictures of him on Facebook and he looks really good. Best of luck to them.”

Irving Orozco (jockey) “I don’t have a pick in the Derby; it’s really competitive. But I like Secret Oath in the Kentucky Oaks.”

Fernando Navarro (jockey agent) White Abarrio “I liked his win in the Florida Derby a lot. That was such a game effort. I’ve always been a fan of his running style.”

Bruce Philipie (owner): Epicenter and Messier “I always choose the best jockey/trainer combination. My longshot would be Charge It for Luis Saez and Todd Pletcher.”

Jonathan Wong (trainer) Zandon “He comes off a huge race. He should get some pace to run into and he won on an off-track last time. If it’s raining, that won’t hurt him.”

Blaine Wright (trainer): Epicenter “[Trainer Steve] Asmussen is due for his Derby win. His horse is winning those prep races with ease.”

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week:

Friday

Race 2: Loud Fusaichi (New trainer Reid France…new owners Albert and Kathleen Mattivi LLC)

Race 3: Lemon Zinger (Isidro Tamayo…Jerry Edwards)

Race 6: Magic Tiger (Ruby Thomas…Jeff Chain and Ray Thomas)

Race 6: Railsplitter (Ed Moger Jr…Bill Meikle)

Race 6: Sugar Beets (Victor Trujillo…Lester Hunsucker, Jose Paredes and Trujillo)

Saturday

Race 1: Action for Autism (D. Wayne Baker…Kevin Birdsall and Baker)

Race 4: Absolute Scenes (Isidro Tamayo…Leon Scott)

Race 4: Miss Ever Ready (Isidro Tamayo…Johnny Taboada)

Race 4: Nicole Grace (Ruby Thomas…Donald Jacklin and Thomas)

Sunday

Race 2: Quick Time (Mike Lenzini…John Parker)

Race 2: Rock N Roll Song (Owner/Trainer Lorenzo Ruiz)

Race 2: Stand in Your Love (Gary Greiner…Renee Greiner)

Race 8: Emerald Magic (Bill McLean…Brian Earley and McLean)

Race 8: Handsome Gary (Leobardo Rivera…Manuela Franco Sosa)

Race 10: Minoso (Tim McCanna…Patrick LePley)

FINISH LINES: The Saturday co-feature is Race 3, a first level allowance for 3-year-old sprinters at 6 furlongs. Big Papa Steve and Little Casino have both won at this condition before and take another crack at it. Other contenders include recent starter allowance winner Meetmeattheclub, the speedy Nuestro Engreido and impressive maiden winner Unto Thee…Best wishes to jockey Ruben Fuentes, who ships his tack to Canterbury Park in Minnesota after a stint at Golden Gate this winter…Also, good luck to jockey Kevin Orozco, who begins a Spring/Summer stint at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington next week…California Derby winner Il Bellator and Silky Sullivan winner Royal ‘n Rando are likely to meet in the Alcatraz Stakes at one mile on turf on May 1. Also, possible to join that cast is Boise and Highland Ghost, runner up finishers in the California Derby and Silky Sullivan, respectively…Last Friday and Saturday, one ticket holder scooped the Pick 6 jackpot. $4,868 is carried over into Friday’s Golden Pick Six jackpot wager from Sunday.