CAMINO DEL PARAISO IN GOOD HEALTH FOLLOWING ROLLING GREEN STAKES VICTORY

8-year-old California-bred gelding Camino Del Paraiso made his first start of 2021 a winning one, scoring a “stalk and pounce” victory in the $50,000 Rolling Green Stakes on Labor Day Monday at Golden Gate Fields. With the victory, Camino Del Paraiso picked up his third career stakes trophy and surpassed the $500,000 mark in career earnings.

Under jockey Catalino Martinez, Camino Del Paraiso out finished 3-year-old Jungle Cry and 24-1 longshot Harmon, stopping the clock for 8.5 furlongs in 1:42.70 and earning a 91 Beyer speed figure for his effort. Trainer O.J. Jauregui indicated Thursday morning that Camino Del Paraiso exited the Rolling Green Stakes in good order.

“He came out of the race really well,” said Jauregui. “He’s eating all of his food. His temperature is good, and his legs are good. He was a little tired right after the race, but he’s bounced out of it well and he’s got a good energy level right now.”

Camino Del Paraiso won the 2020 edition of the Rolling Green. Successfully defending his title meant a lot to Jauregui and owner Herb Moniz of Paradise Road Ranch LLC.

“We’re all just really happy he made it back to the races,” said Jauregui. “He had an eye injury [late last year] and we just wanted him to come out of that healthy.

He’s a really cool horse,” continued Jauregui. “When he works in the morning, he does all of it on his own. He’s very professional and easy to manage. In the barn, he’s a very kind horse. If we can win a couple more nice races with him, I would be really happy.”

So…when will Camino Del Paraiso race next? For now, his next start is yet to be determined.

“I’d like to run him [at Golden Gate] if there’s a race for him,” said Jauregui. “We’ll wait for the fall stakes schedule and then decide our next move. [Camino Del Paraiso] always lets us know when he’s ready. When he’s ready, we’ll have a spot for him.”

SPECHT REFLECTS ON MONDAY’S THREE-WIN DAY, JUNGLE CRY’S RUNNER UP FINISH

On Monday afternoon, longtime Bay Area trainer Steve Specht saddled three winners and a runner-up finisher from four starters. Not a bad day for any trainer, right?

“I’ve won three races many times, but I can never seem to win that fourth one,” chuckled Specht. “In all seriousness though..you can’t really ask for much more than that other than that I got beat in the stake. You gotta be in the right spots. You have to have your horses right, you have to get the right trip…there are a lot of factors [to having a multiple win day].”

Specht won the opener with 3-year-old filly Coastarando and, two races later, picked up his second win of the day with another 3-year-old filly named Mickey Dobbs. Both racers earned their maiden diplomas with the first-place finishes. Specht’s third winner’s circle appearance came with Miss Super Saint in Race 6, a starter allowance. Miss Super Saint won her fourth race in a row with Monday’s victory and, according to Specht, is “is doing better than ever.”

“She was always kind of a light filly that would be light on her feed for a day or two. Now, she’s gobbling up everything and she thinks she’s King Kong,” said Specht.

Miss Super Saint is an interesting case study. The daughter of Super Saver was a consistent, allowance-caliber athlete in 2018 and 2019. After taking a lengthy vacation from August 2019 to February of this year, Miss Super Saint sprinted four times on Tapeta and ran “average to subpar” in all four races. In her fifth start of the season, Specht changed things up and routed Miss Super Saint on turf. Since the aforementioned try going long, Miss Super Saint is unbeaten in four consecutive starts.

“[Routing her on turf] was a last-ditch try because she wasn’t putting as much effort into her sprint races when I brought her back [off a layoff],” said Specht. “We took one last shot with her and ran her on the grass. She had run once on the grass in an allowance before and got run down the last little bit. I thought, ‘Well, maybe we’ll send her to the lead and she’ll get brave.’ Well, it worked.”

Specht says confidence is a main component to the recent success of Miss Super Saint.

“You gotta get them in that winner’s circle,” noted Specht. “You wouldn’t think a horse would be able to know the difference but, believe me, you see it happen all the time. Horses get stale, they’ll be running close [to winning]…but then a [trainer] will drop them several levels lower, they’ll win, they’ll get their head picked up and then they’ll climb the class ladder again and start beating runners that were beating them. That’s sort of what happened with her. Especially with fillies and mares…when a filly gets good, there’s no telling how far they can go.”

In the Rolling Green Stakes, Specht campaigned 3-year-old gelding Jungle Cry against older foes. Jungle Cry, who won the Robert Dupret Derby in August, raced on the rail before challenging eventual winner Camino Del Paraiso in the final sixteenth of a mile. Jungle Cry came up a neck short in second, but Specht was extremely pleased with the effort from his star 3-year-old.

“[Jungle Cry] came out of the race in good shape,” said Specht. “He’s a good-looking horse-he’s small, not very big-but he goes about his business. He’s a quiet, little horse that always does what he’s supposed to. I’m real proud of him. He ran really well.”

Jungle Cry could race in Southern California next.

“We’ll take a look down south and see if there’s anything at Santa Anita for him,” said Specht. “I’d like to keep him on the grass. I think he’s pretty handy on the grass.”

BENCH JUDGE TRIES TAPETA, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA IN SATURDAY NIGHTCAP

Claimed for $20,000 at Del Mar last month by trainer Jamey Thomas and owners Shiloh Hall, Ted Merrill, and Kevin Riggs, 5-year-old gelding Bench Judge faces first-level allowance company in one of the main events at Golden Gate this Saturday, Race 9. Bench Judge will be ridden by Santos Rivera for the first time.

“We claimed him with the intention of running him at Golden Gate,” said Thomas. “He is still eligible to win twice at the first-level [allowance] condition up here. He ran on turf in Southern California, but I think he should be OK on Tapeta. He worked over it last Saturday [September 4] and got over the track good. If he runs his best, I think we’ll be double tough.”

Most recently, Bench Judge ran fourth in a California-bred allowance sprint on grass. His last victory came at the aforementioned condition in March at Santa Anita.

Bench Judge was claimed off Del Mar’s leading trainer, Peter Miller. Coincidentally, Miller saddles a major contender in Saturday’s nightcap. Superman Shaq, owned by film producer Gary Barber, is a half sibling to champion racehorse Monomoy Girl and broke his maiden last year. He has failed to win in five starts since and ships north in search of a gold medal. The 9-5 morning line favorite is the Cliff DeLima trained War Games, coming off a runner up finish to next-out second level allowance winner In Our A. Two stars back, War Games defeated In Our A while earning a career high 92 Beyer speed figure.

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week:

Friday

Race 1: Hypersonic (New trainer Blaine Wright…new owner Lamonte Isom)

Race 4: Bowlmageddon (Owner/Trainer Andrew Nguyen)

Race 4: Nicole Grace (Pablo De Jesus…Cindy Winschell)

Saturday

Race 3: Ecologist (Ed Moger Jr…Steve Moger)

Race 5: Proof of Jazz (Jonathan Wong…Madden Racing)

Race 6: Rolinga (Ed Moger Jr…Steve Moger)

Sunday

Race 5: The Great Haynes (Andy Mathis…William Branch, Richard Catone and Mathis)

Monday

Race 7: Family Trips (Sergio Ledezma…Howard and Janet Siegel Racing LLC)

Race 9: Cocoa Cents (Isidro Tamayo…Leon Scott)

FINISH LINES: Race 8 on Saturday at Golden Gate is the marquee race of the day: a second level allowance for filly and mare turf routers. Among the entrants: stakes winner Blue Diva, Luther Burbank Stakes unofficial runner up finisher Clockstrikestwelve and recent first level allowance winners Fairy Tale Bliss, Time Voyage, and Tiz An Edventure…5-year-old gelding Silver Claim, undefeated at Golden Gate this year, continues his climb up the class ladder at Los Alamitos, where the son of Grade I placed mare Silver Swallow competes in a California-bred allowance race on Friday. Ricky Gonzalez rides for Jonathan Wong in Race 7…Happy birthday to jockey Leonel Camacho Flores, who celebrates next Wednesday…A jackpot pool begins anew in the Golden Pick 6 this Friday, with one sharp, single-ticket winner taking home a $22,210.64 jackpot hit on Monday.

JAUREGUI CONFIDENT STABLE STAR CAMINO DEL PARAISO IS FIT IN ADVANCE OF THE ROLLING GREEN STAKES

Multiple Golden Gate Fields Stakes winner Camino Del Paraiso makes his first start of 2021 in the feature race on Monday, the $50,000 Rolling Green Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward. Camino Del Paraiso, an 8-year-old California-bred gelding, has not raced since an off-the-board finish in the Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar last November. That afternoon, Camino Del Paraiso was in contention to pounce entering the far turn but took back to last and lost all chance after a rival pulling up in front backed into Camino Del Paraiso.

Trainer O.J. Jauregui knows Camino Del Paraiso as well as anyone; the longtime Bay Area horseman has overseen the conditioning of Camino Del Paraiso from the start of his racing career in 2015 to present day. Jauregui has one message for horseplayers thinking about betting Camino Del Paraiso off a 9-month vacation.

“He’s training really well,” said Jauregui. “It looks like he hasn’t missed a beat.”

Camino Del Paraiso has recorded 13 workouts leading up to the Rolling Green. Among them: a 6-furlong drill on the first of August, and a pair of 7-furlong stamina-building works on August 8 and August 14. Catalino Martinez, who rode Camino Del Paraiso to victory in the 2020 Rolling Green and in the Joseph T. Grace Stakes last year, is back aboard for this Monday’s assignment.

“I’m really happy with how Camino’ is doing,” said Jauregui. “In these works, he’s galloping out strong. I think he’s fit enough [off the layoff] to run well. No excuses.” 

Owned by Paradise Roach Ranch LLC, Camino Del Paraiso was purchased for $5,000 as a yearling in 2014. Since then, the son of Suances has earned $480,042 as a racehorse. His current record shows 7 wins, 12 seconds and 4 thirds from 41 lifetime starts.

Camino Del Paraiso was given time off after suffering an eye injury in his stall last year, said Jauregui. He was treated for the issue at the UC Davis Equine Medical Center and subsequently given time off to freshen up for the second half of 2021.

“I’m just happy he’s back to the races,” concluded Jauregui. “He’s a really neat horse.”

Remember: Golden Gate offers live racing Friday through Monday this week. Monday’s Rolling Green Stakes, to be drawn on Friday afternoon, is likely to include Cupid’s Claws, Harmon, Jungle Cry, Mecklenberg and Shadrack. Southern California nominees Border Town and Proud Pedro are listed as “possible.”

J T’S WATCH CONTINUES TO SHINE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

California-bred colt J T’s Watch is entered to race against 3-year-old counterparts in the co-feature fourth race on Sunday, a first level allowance at one mile on the Tapeta main track. According to trainer Reid France, the son of Bold Chieftain has been “a blessing.”

“He lost his mother after he was born,” said France. “He’s always been a trooper.”

As an inexperienced and green 2-year-old last fall, J T’s Watch began training with France.

“He didn’t really show us much when he first got to the barn,” said France. “Once he started working a half mile, he started to show us he could run. [Jockey] Aislinn Finn worked him a half [mile] one morning and said afterwards, ‘This is a nice horse.’ The next week, Irving Orozco worked him and said the same thing.”

In November, Golden Gate Fields ceased racing operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the stoppage, J T’s Watch was sent to Southern California and continued training under the care of trainer Peter Miller. J T’s Watch ran in one race for Miller-a run which resulted in a double-digit length loss against maiden claiming dirt sprinters. With the poor effort in mind, Miller huddled up with owner Henry Williamson and suggested a solution.

“After his race, and once we got back up and running [at Golden Gate], Pete thought J T’s Watch might be a better Tapeta horse,” said France. “So, he came back up to Golden Gate.”

Although still a maiden, France was impressed with J T’s Watch when he resurfaced as a newly turned 3-year-old.

“He looked like a new horse,” said France. “He was definitely better. I always figured he might get better with more distance and wasn’t a super precocious horse anyway.”

France was right. Since getting to a route of ground, J T’s Watch has thrived. In eight races for the France barn (all routing), J T’s Watch has won four, including in his most recent start on July 31 when defeating California Derby winner Stalking Shadow in a first level allowance race. Another notable effort came three starts ago, when J T’s Watch finished as the runner up behind next-out Robert Dupret Derby winner Jungle Cry.

This Sunday, J T’s Watch figures to be one of the favorites in the fourth race. Regular rider Irving Orozco retains the mount. A California-bred, J T’s Watch is eligible to win at the first level allowance condition once more and is running at the aforementioned level. France noted J T’s Watch is a “tactical” horse that always tries.

“He’s a grinder,” said France. “He’s a pretty smart horse and knows what to do out there. I think he likes to look his competition in the eye and say a few words along the way.”

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week:

Friday

Race 7: Infatuate (New trainer Jonathan Wong…new owner Madden Racing

Saturday

Race 2: Quick Time (Jack Steiner…Randy Marriott and Steiner)

Race 8: Italiano (Victor Trujillo…Marron Road Ventures LLC and Trujillo)

Race 8: Slam Dunk Sermon (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Race 8: Torpedo Away (Manny Badilla…Dave Marshall and Badilla)

Race 9: Sherilinda (Andy Mathis…Strohmaier Racing)

Sunday

Race 3: Bigfoot City (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing)

Race 5: Imperial Creed (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing)

Race 6: Elusive Virtue (Isidro Tamayo…Lourdes Ochoa and Rafael Sanchez)

Race 8: River Rose (Isidro Tamayo…Johnny Taboada)

DEL MAR WATCH LIST

Below is a list of Golden Gate horses competing at Del Mar:

Thursday

Race 3: I’mgonnabesomebody (Trainer Bill McLean…Jockey Drayden Van Dyke)

Race 5: Seven Sisters (Andy Mathis…Ricky Gonzalez)

Race 6: Amanda Rose (Ed Moger Jr…Wayne Barnett)

Race 9: Prudent (Quinn Howey…Emily Ellingwood)

Race 9: Zahra (Jonathan Wong…Hat Trick Racing and MJVET Stables)

Friday

Race 3: Dy Wysong (Jonathan Wong…Kyle Frey)

Race 6: Stopdropandroll (Blaine Wright…Ricky Gonzalez)

Race 6: Irish Wahine (Ed Moger Jr…Kent Desormeaux)

Saturday

Race 3: Hawk Hill (Ed Moger Jr…Geovanni Franco)

Race 8: Maximum Risk (Isidro Tamayo…Juan Espinoza)

Race 8: Charge Cash (Tim McCanna…Tiago Pereira)

Race 11: Jimmy Blue Jeans (Andy Mathis…Kyle Frey)

Sunday

Race 4: Bold Mistress (Ed Moger Jr…Geovanni Franco)

Race 4: Til I Found You (Jonathan Wong…Emily Ellingwood)

Race 4: Jasmine Chieftain (Tim McCanna…Kyle Frey)

Race 5: Reiwa (Jonathan Wong…Abel Cedillo)

FINISH LINES: An enticing Late Pick 4 sequence (Races 6-9) on Sunday shows 40 entries throughout 4 races (10 horses per race.) The sequence: a salty starter allowance turf route (8 entries), a maiden claiming sprint (10), a first level allowance turf route (11) and a sprint for claimers (10)…July 24 Golden Gate maiden winner Stopdropnroll competes in the $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies on Friday at Del Mar. Ricky Gonzalez rides for trainer Blaine Wright…Golden Gate allowance winner Jimmy Blue Jeans runs in Saturday’s $250,000 Del Mar Derby for trainer Andy Mathis and retains the services of jockey Kyle Frey…Congratulations to three Golden Gate winners at Del Mar on Thursday. In Race 3, trainer Bill McLean saddled 56-1 winner I’mgonnabesomebody to the biggest upset of the meet so far. Drayden Van Dyke was aboard. Two races later, Seven Sisters went gate-to-wire for a 13-1 score; trainer Andy Mathis and Ricky Gonzalez teamed up for the win. In Race 8, Star Racer rode the rail to the lead in midstretch under Kyle Frey, springing a 10-1 upset. Star Racer is trained by Angelo Tekos Jr…Happy birthday to jockey Lorenzo Lopez, who celebrates his birthday on Sunday…$4,465 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager heading into Friday’s card.

“PART 2” OF THE ENDLESS SUMMER MEET BEGINS FRIDAY

Live racing resumes on Friday with a 7-race card that kicks off “Part 2” of the Endless Summer Meet at Golden Gate Fields. First post each day at the upcoming meet is 1:45 PM unless otherwise noted.

For Friday’s “Opening Day” program, 56 horses were entered to compete. Saturday’s card attracted 58 entries and Sunday drew 65 entrants. 

The signature event of the meeting is the Rolling Green Stakes on September 6. The Rolling Green, for 3-year-olds and upward at one mile and a sixteenth on turf, is likely to include 2020 winner Camino Del Paraiso. Nominations for the race close at midnight tonight and will be published tomorrow afternoon.

Fans who wish to attend the races on-track can purchase tickets online at Goldengatefields.com or through walk-up admission “at the door.” The popular Golden Gate Fields Turf Club also re-opens at limited capacity on weekends starting this Saturday, August 28. Advance tickets (which can be purchased on Golden Gate’s official website) are required. No walk-up admission will be sold for the Turf Club.

JOCKEY AGENT NAVARRO STAYING BUSY AT TWO MAJOR CALIFORNIA TRACKS

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

It’s a motto that you could say jockey agent Fernando “Shoes” Navarro tries to live by. Every morning, the 34-year-old Bay Area native wakes up well before the sun rises and springs into action.

Anybody who works on a backstretch in horse racing holds the same mentality: when the alarm goes off, it’s time to work.

Navarro, who normally carries two jockeys at Golden Gate Fields, expanded his business to four riders at two separate racetracks this summer after Golden Gate Winter/Spring meet leading jockey Kyle Frey opted to ride in Southern California for the boutique Del Mar summer meet. Since the move, Navarro picked up a second Southern California rider in apprentice Emily Ellingwood. Navarro continues to hustle book at Golden Gate for Irving Orozco and Assael Espinoza. Official California racetrack rules state that jockey agents may represent two riders per racetrack.

“[Kyle and I] went down to Del Mar to ride for one week,” said Navarro. “That was the plan. We had a little bit of success early and some people caught on. It went from, ‘Hey we got some more calls next week, let’s stay one more week,’ to ‘Hey, we got even more calls this third week. Let’s just see where this takes us.’”

Heading into Friday, Frey is tied for sixth in the Del Mar standings with 11 first-place finishes from 98 mounts. Frey picked up his first Del Mar stakes win on July 23 with 3-year-old filly I’m So Anna in the $150,000 Fleet Treat Stakes. The win also marked Navarro’s first Del Mar stakes victory as an agent.

Throughout any given workday, Navarro is in constant contact with trainers from both Northern and Southern California while also scouting out potential pick up mounts. Navarro makes plenty of phone calls throughout the day, checking with trainers for opportunities and communicating with his riders in what consists of a busy, full day’s work. Navarro, along with hustling mounts for races, is also responsible for scheduling “workers”, or horses to breeze every morning, for each of his riders.

Navarro is busiest on “entry day.” Entry days are scheduled days in which entries for a future race program are drawn and posted to the public (ex: entries for Saturday race cards are submitted, and post positions drawn, on Wednesday).

Entry day festivities go as follows…

“In the mornings, I’m on the phone with a lot of people before I even leave the house,” said Navarro. “I usually talk to the Golden Gate people first. I’ve been at Del Mar every week, so I’m on the phone when I’m talking to the Northern California trainers, and I make my rounds [to the barns] at Del Mar.

Usually, Southern California draws their cards first,” continued Navarro. “Once we draw post positions for Del Mar, then I’m 100% focused on the entries at Golden Gate. The schedule is good to where Del Mar doesn’t overlap with Golden Gate. I fly back home to Northern California every week and go to the backside at Golden Gate on Tuesdays.”

Navarro said working horses in the morning and making impactful relationships is crucial. This especially rings true when riders and agents enter a new circuit.

“You have to be seen out there,” said Navarro. “Me being new to So Cal…I have relationships with horsemen from when they ship horses to Golden Gate, but I have to build these relationships further. It helps that Kyle won some races early in the [Del Mar] meet and people took notice.

We’re building up business and we’ve ridden for good barns,” added Navarro. “Richard Baltas, Peter Miller, Mark Glatt, Michael McCarthy, Simon Callaghan…Phil D’Amato and John Sadler are giving us a few calls. If we work hard and do well in the afternoon, that leads to more business. Kyle is showing up every morning-I mean every morning-and working horses.”

So how does Navarro manage the rigorous workload?

“It took me a little while getting used to juggling the [extra] work,” said Navarro. “I got the hang of things and we’re good now. The key is staying organized. Being a jockey agent, some days are better than others. You’ve gotta give it your best, pay attention and let the chips fall where they may.”

FIRST-TIME STARTERS ADD INTRIGUE TO 2-YEAR-OLD ALLOWANCE RACE FOR FILLIES ON SUNDAY

On Sunday, a field of five square off in the feature race at Golden Gate: a first level allowance for 2-year-old fillies. Three participants-Code Ribbon, Light Up and Miss Union-have all broken their maidens. The two runners who fill the field are complete unknowns.

How is that, you may ask?

The answer is simple. Neither have run in a race before.

The Arcadian Way, a $60,000 sale purchase from the Blaine Wright barn, draws the rail and makes her career debut against proven winners. She is a half-sibling to 4-time stakes winner Madone, who beat Del Mar Oaks winner Going Global in the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes in July. Madone sports a 5 for 8 lifetime record, with career earnings of $337,800. Four other siblings to The Arcadian Way won sprinting and their dam, a Cherokee Run mare named Indian Love Call, was most effective going a route of ground. The Arcadian Way is by Australian-bred Astern, a Medaglia D’Oro stallion who raced on turf in Australia and won four stakes, including one Group 1 race in 2016.

Delia Mo, a filly by Outwork, also takes on winners as a first-time starter. A $20,000 sale purchase, Delia Mo is another that has shown promising works heading into Sunday’s second race. Her dam, the Red Ransom mare Redmeansgo, was a router on turf and dirt and stakes placed once as a 5-year-old. She earned just over $113,000 in her 14-race career. Delia Mo is a half sibling to six other winners from seven foals produced by Redmeansgo, including Grade 3 placed mare Pappascat.

The known commodities are simple to analyze. Code Ribbon makes her first career start on Tapeta after a two-and-a-half length win against maiden special weight foes over dirt at Pleasanton on July 17. The second-place finisher in the aforementioned race, Fire Escape, came right back to win her next start. Light Up is another who won her first career start at Pleasanton, defeating a different field of maiden special weight runners. Miss Union, a three and ¾ length winner of a maiden claimer at Golden Gate, earned the best Beyer speed figure out of the threesome of winners and enters this run with two workouts since the maiden victory.

Post time for Race 2 on Sunday is approximately 2:15 PM PT. 9-races are on the docket. Along with Race 2, the co-features on the day include a first level allowance race that picked up 11 entries (Race 8), and a race of similar condition for fillies and mares on turf (Race 7).

DEL MAR WATCH LIST

Below are a list of Golden Gate horses racing at Del Mar this week:

Thursday

Race 4: #8 Hydro Frost (Jockey Edwin Maldonado…Trainer Quinn Howey)

Race 7: #3 Pappy Boyington (Juan Hernandez…Steve Miyadi)

Race 8: #1 Emma’s Dance (Kyle Frey…Ed Moger Jr.)

Friday

Race 2: #3 Illapawnie (Jonathan Wong…Jessica Pyfer)

Race 2: #7 American Bourbon (Kyle Frey…Jonathan Wong)

Saturday

Race 2: #2 Father O’Flaherty (Jonathan Wong…Kyle Frey)

Race 3: #6 Minehunter (Andy Mathis…Diego Herrera)

Race 11: #10 U.S. Danger (Jonathan Wong…Kyle Frey)

FINISH LINES: Happy birthday to XBTV’s Zoe Cadman, who celebrates her birthday today. Earlier this year, Cadman was a guest analyst on the Golden Gate simulcast feed for El Camino Real Derby Day and Gold Rush Weekend…Good luck to Ivan Becerra, Bruce Dillenbeck, Terri Eaton, Gary Greiner, Quinn Howey, Sergio Ledezma, Melanie McDonald, Jerry Puertas, Isidro Tamayo and Jamie Thomas, all who campaign horses in races at Ferndale this week. A large majority of these horses are Golden Gate shippers…Trainer Ed Moger Jr. saddles Iowa Derby winner Stilletto Boy in the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar on Sunday. Stilletto Boy, purchased by Ed’s brother Steve Moger for $420,000 after the Iowa Derby triumph, ran fifth on turf in the La Jolla Handicap in his first start for the Moger stable…Albany Stakes winner Give Me the Lute ran second in last week’s $100,000 Green Flash Handicap for turf sprinters at Del Mar. The Andy Mathis trained gelding finished as the runner up behind Lieutenant Dan, who coincidentally won an allowance race at Golden Gate in 2019 and ran third in the Silky Sullivan Stakes that same year. Lieutenant Dan is trained by Steve Miyadi…After the 2-week period Wine Country Racing Meet, Golden Gate now returns to our traditional wagers (ex: 50-Cent Early Pick 5 with a low 14% takeout, 20-Cent Golden Pick Six jackpot wager, etc.).

JUNGLE CRY IN SEARCH OF FIRST STAKES TROPHY IN ROBERT DUPRET DERBY

3-year-old gelding Jungle Cry won a first level allowance race on the Golden Gate Fields lawn on June 13, completing the 8 furlongs in 1:36.25 seconds and picking up an 80 Beyer speed figure. After a better than looked run against salty stakes company at Del Mar last month, the son of Animal Kingdom returns to the Northern California turf course where he earned his most recent victory.

Prepared by veteran horseman Steve Specht, Jungle Cry is a major player in the feature race on Saturday afternoon, the $50,000 Robert Dupret Derby for 3-year-olds on grass. The mile and one-sixteenth route goes as Race 10 on a 12-race program.

“He’s doing great,” said Specht. “Since his last race, he’s worked a couple five-eighths, and both times he worked really well.”

In Jungle Cry’s most recent afternoon appearance on July 16 at Del Mar, a crowd of just over 16,000 were treated to an exciting stretch run on the Opening Day marquee event, the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes. Jungle Cry, in contention with a furlong to go, only lost by 2 lengths after an undesirable trip. The Robert Dupret Derby field is a significantly easier bunch than what Jungle Cry faced in the Oceanside.

“I thought he ran well at Del Mar considering he didn’t get the greatest trip,” said Specht. “He was wide on both turns and had to steady a little bit in the stretch, and still only lost by a couple lengths. With a better trip, he probably would’ve been right there.”

In the Robert Dupret, Specht noted Jungle Cry can put himself in a good spot depending on how the race unfolds.

“There’s not a special way for him to go,” said Specht. “I think he’s going to be pretty close to the pace, but if the pace is too fast, he can sit off.”

Jungle Cry has been a steady racer in 2021. After a pair of losses as a maiden back east, he was privately purchased by owner Thomas Bachman (Fairview LLC) and sent to Specht for a West Coast campaign. Specht liked Jungle Cry from the minute he stepped in the shedrow.

Making his first start for Team Specht on February 21, Jungle Cry broke his maiden in a Tapeta sprint. That day, he ran against other 3-year-olds. In his next two races (both at one turn), he hit the board against allowance company, with one of those efforts coming against older rivals. Jungle Cry’s first start routing, and debut on grass, resulted in a third-place finish behind 3-time stakes winner None Above the Law in the May 23 Alcatraz Stakes. He has remained at two turns on turf ever since.

“Tom Bachman bought this horse with the hopes he could win a stake out here at some point,” said Specht. “He owns [Jungle Cry’s] dam [the Unbridled’s Song mare Devine Aida] and winning a stake [with Jungle Cry] would help her value. We thought going long on the turf would be something he’d enjoy.”

“Jungle Cry is a cool dude,” said Specht. “At the barn, he’s a kind horse who enjoys hanging out. He’s not the biggest horse out there. Other horses sort of tower over him. But he goes to the track and always goes about his business. You want a barn full of horses like him.”

Race 10: $50,000 Robert Dupret Derby (3-year-olds at one mile and a sixteenth on turf)

#1 Misty Cat (Jockey Silvio Amador…trainer Dan Franko)

#2 Shore Break (Evin Roman…Neil Drysdale)

#3 Code Duello (Assael Espinoza…Craig Dollase)

#4 Stalking Shadow (Pedro Terrero…Jonathan Wong)

#5 Joymaker (Kevin Orozco…Quinn Howey)

#6 Swift As I Am (Armando Ayuso…Jonathan Wong)

#7 Jungle Cry (Catalino Martinez…Steve Specht)

GOLDEN GATE FINISHES WINE COUNTRY RACING MEET WITH MANY SLIPS FILLING THE ENTRY BOX

With three more live race days at the Wine Country Racing meet at Golden Gate Fields, horsemen and horsewomen are eager to run their horses before a break next week. 34 races comprise three live programs on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this week, with first post each day at 1:45 PM PT. Fans who wish to attend the races on-track can purchase tickets online at goldengatefields.com or with walk-up admission at the track.

10 races kick off the festivities on Friday afternoon. The first two races on the card are for Arabian-bred horses. The opener, the Wine Country Racing Association purse, features a quintette of horses. The second race, the Wathba Stallion Cup, drew a field of 7.

Friday’s thoroughbred action starts in Race 3, with a pair of allowance races tabbed as the co-features on the program. Race 5, a sprint for 3-year-old fillies, drew the Steve Miyadi trained Hot Rageous and Do You Hear That, trained by Quinn Howey. Both runners are expected to receive the most support in the wagering. Hot Rageous has been very close to winning a handful of allowance races while showing an affinity for the main track Tapeta. Do You Hear That, more experienced with more wins on her resume, has already won a trio of allowance races throughout her career. 3-year-old route fillies get their chance to shine in Race 9, with the steadily improving Tiz An Edventure, the ultra-consistent La Vikina, and Irish-bred Absolute Scenes listed as the top three morning line choices in an eight-horse field.

12 races made the overnight for Saturday’s live program. The headliner, the Robert Dupret Derby on turf, is a stake for 3-year-olds at one mile and a sixteenth. Trainer Jonathan Wong saddles a pair of contenders in California Derby winner Stalking Shadow and Swift As I am, looking to win his fourth race in a row. Hall of Famer Neil Drysdale ship filly Shore Break north to face boys while multiple allowance winner Joymaker and allowance placed Misty Cat also enter to run against male counterparts. Southern California Craig Dollase, not shy to send horses north for stakes races, is represented by first-off-the-claim acquisition Code Duello. You can find more information on the likely favorite, Jungle Cry, in the first article. Young “stars of the future” are also highlighted on this program: a California-bred maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies drew a full field of 12, and another 2-year-old race earlier in the card has 11 contenders.

We end our Wine Country Racing meet with a dozen more races on Sunday. Six of the 12 Sunday events are on turf, including the co-featured seventh race. For 3-year-old allowance sprinters, the 5-furlong grass affair includes the Nick Alexander hard-knocking homebred Pappy Boyington, the speedy Handr’sdream, multiple allowance winner Exhaulting and 2-time winner Cool Mountain Lad. A first level allowance for older sprinters on Tapeta goes as Race 10 and holds “co-featured race” status. The top two contenders are admirable racers. In Our A, a picture of consistency, has finished first or second in seven lifetime starts. California-bred War Games stopped the clock in good time two weeks ago at the first level allowance condition and wheels back quickly for another win at this level. A 12-horse field of 2-year-old maiden special weight colts and geldings starts off the Late Pick 5 in Race 8, and a super competitive starter allowance in Race 11 is part of late multi-race wagers that are projected to pay very well.

At the conclusion of this week’s racing action, Golden Gate Fields takes one week off before returning on Friday, August 27 for “Part 2” of the Endless summer meet. The Endless summer meet goes three days a week-Friday through Sunday-and ends on Sunday, October 2.

TICKETS STILL AVAILIBLE FOR SATURDAY’S EQUINE AND WINE FESTIVAL

Tickets are still available to attend this Saturday’s Equine and Wine Festival at the Players Patio and Trackside Court on the Clubhouse level. The Equine and Wine Festival, from 12 PM to 6 PM, is a VIP event presented by Jackson Family Wine.

Tickets for the Equine and Wine Festival are $75 dollars per person, with private tables for groups of 2,4,6 and 8 guests offered. With a ticket, VIP attendees receive Wine Tasting presented by Jackson Family Wines, a limited-edition Golden Gate Fields wine glass, Tapas for all tables, a VIP Swag bag giveaway, and a “meet and great” with Golden Gate Fields jockeys. Admission, parking, and a race program also come with the purchase of an Equine and Wine ticket.

Wines featured for guests include Carmel Road Chardonnay, Kendall Jackson Chardonnay and Cabernet, La Crema Sauvignon Blanc, Cambria Pinot Noir and Willakenzie Pinot Noir. For more information, visit Goldengateifields.com or e-mail questions@goldengatefields.com. To purchase a ticket, visit the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vip-equine-wine-presented-by-jackson-family-wines-814-tickets-163217916181

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims made at Golden Gate last week:

Friday

Race 1: Arouse N Go (New trainer Jonathan Wong…new owner MJVET Stables)

Race 1: Big Enough (Quinn Howey…Boardshorts Stables LLC and Howey)

Race 3: Maggie’s Magic (Isidro Tamayo…John Tipton and Tamayo)

Race 6: Lookin for Gold (Pablo De Jesus…Garry McNeill and Felibert Barnett)

Saturday

Race 2: June Gloom (Quinn Howey…Leon Scott)

Race 2: Second Bold (Owner/Trainer Ivan Becerra)

Race 5: Midnight Special (Mike Lenzini…Gary Marrone)

Sunday

Race 1: Gray Gem (Quinn Howey…Boardshorts Stables LLC and Howey)

Race 1: Persistence (Sammy Calvario…Johnny Taboada)

Race 2: Prince de Prince (Steve Sherman…Stewball Stable, Lyon, Richter, and Sherman)

Race 4: Ecologist (Jonathan Wong…Johnny Taboada)

Race 4: Hot Sean (Jesus Ramos…Candelario Barragan)

Race 4: Passionate Reward (Monty Meier…Michael Bean)

Race 5: Bowlmageddon (Reid France…France and Lagattuta)

Race 5: Clubhouse Saint (Quinn Howey…Boardshorts Stables LLC and Howey)

Race 9: Lauren Squared (D. Wayne Baker…Richard Barton)

Race 9: Moon Rise (Isidro Tamayo…John Tipton)

DEL MAR WATCH LIST

Below is a list of Golden Gate horses and human connections competing at Del Mar this week:

Thursday

Race 5: Boyson (Trainer Jonathan Wong…jockey Juan Hernandez)

Race 5: Ian Glass (Andy Mathis…Geovanni Franco)

Race 6: Square Peggy (Quinn Howey…Assael Espinoza)

Race 7: Ashley’s Valentine (Andy Mathis…Geovanni Franco)

Friday

Race 6: Eustace (Jonathan Wong…Jose Valdivia Jr.)

Race 6: Hit the Seam (Jonathan Wong…Kyle Frey)

Race 7: Poso Creek (Dan Franko…Wayne Barnett)

Saturday

Race 1: #2 Mr. Pickles (Jonathan Wong…Juan Hernandez)

Race 1: Bourbonwithatwist (Ed Moger Jr…Drayden Van Dyke)

Race 4: Lounge Act (Quinn Howey…Kyle Frey)

Race 7: Naughty Niko (Debbie Winnick…Geovanni Franco)

Sunday

Race 1: Busy Paynter (Andy Mathis…Kyle Frey)

Race 1: On Deck (Bill McLean…Ricky Gonzalez)

Race 3: Never For Money (Andy Mathis…Kyle Frey)

Race 6: Angel’s Advocate (Andy Mathis…Tyler Baze)

Race 6: Bold Mistress (Ed Moger Jr…Geovanni Franco)

Race 7: Nardini (Andy Mathis…Kyle Frey)

FINISH LINES: Trainers Terri Eaton and Abel Borg condition 11 of the 12 Arabian’s set to compete in the first two races on Friday…Jockey Kyle Frey and trainer Andy Mathis team up with Nardini in Sunday’s $150,000 Solana Beach Handicap at Del Mar for California-bred fillies and mares…Happy birthday to trainers D. Wayne Baker, Andy Mathis, Marcia Stortz, assistant trainer Francisco Rodriguez and GGF Assistant General Manager William Rizzuto, all who celebrate birthdays in the next couple weeks…MANDATORY PAYOUTS this Sunday, Closing Day of the Wine Country Racing meet at Golden Gate.

RETURN TO TURF COULD BE KEY FOR CLOCKSTRIKESTWELVE IN LUTHER BURBANK STAKES

Admist a 5-race win streak late last year, 5-year-old mare Clockstrikestwelve had terrific form on turf-a surface she thrived over since breaking her maiden at Gulfstream Park in 2019. But after a pair of sharp Southern California dirt wins in early 2021, trainer Jonathan Wong and owner Michael Rosenmayer opted to keep the daughter of New Year’s Day on the main track.

“She had run through her conditions and the owner wanted to get some black type for her,” said Wong.

After a pair of off-the-board efforts in the Grade I Beholder Mile and Grade 2 Santa Margarita in Southern California, Clockstrikestwelve picked up her first in-the-money stakes placing with a second-place finish in the She’s a Tiger Stakes at Pleasanton. Clockstrikestwelve was then entered in last week’s Grade I Clement Hirsch, but Wong scratched in favor of this Saturday’s feature race at Golden Gate, the Luther Burbank Stakes for fillies and mares at one mile and a sixteenth. With the entry, Clockstrikestwelve is also reacquainted with a familiar friend: the turf.

“If the field was small [in the Clement Hirsch] we might’ve taken a shot,” said Wong. “But the race came up super tough. It’s possible she may like turf the most, but she has run well on all surfaces [dirt, synthetic and turf]. She is pretty versatile.”

Jockey Evin Roman, who got to know Clockstrikestwelve in the She’s a Tiger, retains the mount on Saturday. Clockstrikestwelve breaks from post 6 in a field of 7.

“I’m hoping she can settle, sit off the speed and make a strong run in the end,” said Wong.

Wong also saddles Dynasty of Her Own, coming off a loss at Del Mar against stakes company.

“This is an easier spot than the Del Mar race,” said Wong. “She won the California Oaks going two turns as a 3-year-old, so routing isn’t a problem.”

Two Southern California shippers add to the intrigue of the Luther Burank. Avenue de France makes the trip north for Leonard Powell after a third-place finish behind Grade 3 winner and Grade I placed filly Going to Vegas at Del Mar last month. Star of Africa exits allowance company and will also compete for trainer Paddy Gallagher.

The Luther Burbank goes as Race 7 on a 9-race card this Saturday. First post each live racing day this week-Friday, Saturday and Sunday-is 1:45 PM PT.

Race 7 on Saturday: $50,000 Luther Burbank Stakes (fillies & mares 3 YO and up at 1 & 1/16^th miles on turf)

#1 Convince (jockey Pedro Terrero…trainer Bruce Dillenback)

#2 Dynasty of Her Own (Irving Orozco…Jonathan Wong)

#3 Star of Africa (William Antongeorgi III…Paddy Gallagher)

#4 Misty Cat (Silvio Amador…Dan Franko)

#5 Dutch Painting (Frank Alvarado…Manny Badilla)

#6 Clockstrikestwelve (Evin Roman…Jonathan Wong)

#7 Avenue de France (Assael Espinoza…Leonard Powell)

MCCANNA OPTIMISTIC THINGS WILL WORK OUT FOR CREATIVE ROMANCE

In February, trainer Tim McCanna and owner Alan Mindell claimed 5-year-old mare Creative Romance for $12,500. To their delight, they made their money back right away in her first start for the barn. Sent off at odds 4-1 on March 27, the daughter of Creative Cause stalked the pace before powering away for a runaway win against first level allowance foes.

“She’s a nice, hard knocking mare that has some decent pedigree,” said McCanna. “That’s what we saw when we claimed her. So far things have worked out well.”

Although Creative Romance has lost four straight races since the March victory, she managed to hit the board in three of those runs-all against allowance company. Most recently, Creative Romance placed second to stakes caliber filly Nardini in a dirt race at Pleasanton.

“She ran pretty well at Pleasanton the other day, but I think she really likes the synthetic [at Golden Gate],” said McCanna.

Friday, Creative Romance draws the rail in Race 4, a five-horse allowance affair for filly and mare routers. Creative Romance is the 2-1 morning line favorite. McCanna is not privy to the fact that troubled trips are still a possibility in a small field and, like any trainer, is hoping for a clean trip come race day.

“Sometimes, horses can find trouble in small fields,” said McCanna. “I don’t think she wants to be in front [early in the race]. Hopefully, she can save some ground and find some room to run late.”

TRIP TO SPAIN LOOKS TO MAKE THE TRIP TO THE DEL MAR WINNERS CIRCLE IN SUNDAY’S GRADUATION STAKES

On July 25, 2-year-old colt Trip to Spain caught the eye of race watchers with an impressive gate-to-wire win in his career debut at Golden Gate Fields. He earned a 66 Beyer speed figure for the maiden special weight score. Two weeks later, trainer Jamey Thomas has decided to wheel back his precocious talent in the co-feature at Del Mar on Sunday, the $100,000 Graduation Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds.

“Usually I don’t run my two-year-olds back this quick,” said Thomas. “Originally, I didn’t have the intention of running him in the race. We were going to wait for the I’m Smokin Stakes [at Del Mar next month.]”

Then Thomas received a call from the Del Mar racing office.

“They told me the race only had 4 or 5 others in it,” said Thomas. “I noticed [stakes winner] Big City Lights was entered in the Best Pal Stakes [against open company] on Saturday. Trip to Spain…he came out of his maiden win in terrific shape. He ate up all his food the night of the race and he’s still eating well. He’s been training great. He has great energy. So, we’re gonna give it a go. I think he fits.”

Thomas is not concerned with the switch from Golden Gate’s synthetic to the Del Mar dirt main track. In fact, Trip to Spain has already worked out over a dirt surface in the past.  

“He was training just OK [at Golden Gate] in the spring,” said Thomas. “Then I brought him to Pleasanton to train on the dirt there. When he got to Pleasanton, the lightbulb turned on. He was like, ‘I know what I’m supposed to do now.’ He started working really good. When he got back to Golden Gate [and worked a week before his debut race], one of the clockers said to me, ‘Wow. What happened to him?’ He could see how much he improved.”

Thomas indicated that, although Trip to Spain was in front at every call in his maiden win, securing the lead in the early part of Sunday’s race is not a necessity.

“We’ve worked him behind horses and he doesn’t mind it at all,” said Thomas. “He’ll do whatever you ask him to do. Hopefully he breaks well [on Sunday] and we’ll go from there.”

Jockey Santos Rivera was aboard for Trip to Spain’s first career race. This time, Trip to Spain will have a new rider in Kyle Frey, who coincidentally worked Trip to Spain a few times before his career debut. Frey was riding at Del Mar the day Trip to Spain debuted, and Rivera inherited the mount as a result.

Trip to Spain, a son of Stay Thirsty, is out of the Comic Strip mare Spanish Doll. His breeder, Myles McMahon, owns Trip to Spain.

Another Northern California shipper entered in the Graduation, Northvale Road, broke his maiden over Pleasanton’s dirt surface and makes his career debut against winners for trainer Ed Moger Jr. A son of Grazen, Northvale Road drew post 5 of 6. Trip to Spain breaks from post position 2.

The Graduation Stakes goes as Race 6 at Del Mar on Sunday.

DEL MAR WATCH LIST

Below is a list of Golden Gate horses and human connections running at Del Mar this week. Keep an eye out for them…

THURSDAY

Race 1: #7 Smiling Ann (Trainer Bill McLean…Jockey Kyle Frey)

Race 2: #1 Tom’s Surprise (Jonathan Wong…Jose Valdivia Jr.)

Race 2: #4 Respect the Hustle (Bill McLean…Abel Cedillo)

Race 2: #5 Mahi Mahi (Isidro Tamayo…Kyle Frey)

Race 4: #2 T Bones Trick (Jonathan Wong…Juan Hernandez)

Race 4: #3 Satanta (Reid France…Evin Roman)

Race 4: #7 Sayin Grace (Ed Moger Jr…Tiago Pereira)

Race 6: #5 Nina En Fuego (Isidro Tamayo…Kyle Frey)

Race 7: #3 Lion’s Lair (Ed Moger Jr…Tiago Pereira)

Race 7: #6 Irish Wahine (Ed Moger Jr…Abel Cedillo)

FRIDAY

Race 1: #5 Here’s My Point (Jonathan Wong…Evin Roman)

Race 2: #3 Truly Fabulous (Jonathan Wong…Juan Hernandez)

Race 2: #4 Ten the Smart Way (Andy Mathis…Ricky Gonzalez)

Race 4: #14 On Deck (Bill McLean…Ricky Gonzalez)

Race 5: #3 Time to Smile (Ed Moger Jr…Jessica Pyfer)
Race 5: #4 Dizzy Lizzy (Ed Moger Jr…Tiago Pereira)

Race 8: #7 Zahra (O.J. Jauregui…Kyle Frey)

SATURDAY

Race 3: #1 Hawk Hill (Ed Moger Jr…Tiago Pereira)

Race 3: #10 Double Tiger (Jamey Thomas…Kent Desormeaux)

Race 5: #5 Zippy Baby (Tim McCanna…Trevor McCarthy)

Race 7: #3 I’mgonnabesomebody (Bill McLean…Jessica Pyfer)

Race 7: #4 By Moonlight (Isidro Tamayo…Kyle Frey)

Race 10: #6 Keeper Ofthe Stars (Jonathan Wong…Abel Cedillo)

Race 11: #12 Uncaged Kitty (Andy Mathis…Ricky Gonzalez)

SUNDAY

Race 3: #9 Tiz a Speed Bomb (Isidro Tamayo…Juan Espinoza)

Race 6: #2 Trip to Spain (Jamey Thomas…Kyle Frey)

Race 6: #5 Northvale Road (Ed Moger Jr…Tiago Pereira)

Race 3: #3 Bonita Leona (Andy Mathis…Kyle Frey)

Race 8: #10 Amanda Rose (Ed Moger Jr…Juan Hernandez)

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week:

FRIDAY

Race 2: Project Leader (New trainer Jonathan Wong…new owner Battle Born Racing & MJVET Stables)

Race 3: Beautyinthebeast (Pablo De Jesus…Cindy Winschell)

Race 4: Perseverance (Isidro Tamayo…Leon Scott)

Race 6: Italiano (O.J. Jauregui…Carina Jauregui)

Race 9: Made in Karoo (Monty Meier…Browne Cattle Co. and William Branch)

SATURDAY

Race 1: Elusive Virtue (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Race 4: Evenrevenworse (Blaine Wright…Seamist Racing, Becker, Lancaster, Manzoni & Manzoni)

Race 7: Imperial Creed (Owner/Trainer Victor Trujillo)

Race 8: Trouble N Paradise (Tim McCanna…Ron Glatt)

Race 8: Where’s Frankie (Gary Greiner…Renee Greiner)

SUNDAY

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

Race 4: Bluegrass Sky (Daniel Franko…Joseph Franko)

Race 4: Wicks and Chappies (Bill McLean…Ables, Auyeung, McLean and Miller)

Race 9: He Be Mojo Risin (Steve Sherman…Cicero Farms LLC)

FINISH LINES: At the recently concluded “Part 1 of the Endless Summer Meet” season, jockey Pedro Terrero won the most races out of any rider with 8 trips to the winner’s circle. Steve Sherman posted the most wins of any trainer with 6 first-place finishes…San Francisco Mile runner up Keeper Ofthe Stars races in the Grade 2, $200,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap at Del Mar this Saturday…Multiple Golden Gate Fields stakes winner Camino Del Paraiso continues to prep for a 2021 return to the races. Last Sunday morning, the California-bred breezed six furlongs in 1:13.60 seconds for trainer O.J. Jauregui…Iowa Derby winner Stilleto Boy makes his West Coast debut in the La Jolla Handicap on turf at Del Mar this Sunday for trainer Ed Moger Jr. Moger’s brother, owner Steve Moger, purchased Stilleto Boy for $420,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age sale after the Iowa Derby win…Trainer Jamey Thomas saddles impressive GGF maiden winner Trip to Spain in the $100,000 Graduation Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds while Ed Moger Jr. campaigns Northvale Road in the same race…Happy birthday to Golden Gate Director of Administration Cynthia Seidl, who celebrates her birthday on Sunday…Friday is Opening Day of the 6-day “Wine Country Racing at Golden Gate” Summer meet. With that, the Golden Pick Six pool begins anew on Friday.

PATIENCE AND DETERMINATION PAYS OFF FOR TERRERO 

On February 2, 2019, jockey Pedro Terrero was aboard 3-year-old filly Dreaming About You in a one-mile starter allowance race on the main track. Turning for home, Dreaming About You clipped heels and unseated Terrero, who tumbled to the Tapeta. Although Dreaming About You emerged from the incident unscathed, Terrero suffered a head injury as a result of the spill. Over a two-and-a-half-year span, Terrero had surgery and took a substantial amount of time off.

“I don’t remember what happened at all,” said Terrero of the incident. “I went to different doctors. Eventually, some of the doctors said, ‘If you feel good and you feel you can do it, you can ride again. You have your helmet [that protects you].’”

Terrero, making sure he felt 100% before getting back aboard horses, began galloping in the middle of 2021. Eventually, he made his way back to working horses and, by the end of the Winter/Spring meet, started picking up mounts again with longtime agent Jay Robinson.

Northern California trainers were quick to support Pedro, who began his race riding career at Golden Gate in 2009. At the recently concluded Pleasanton meet, Terrero led all riders in wins with 13 trips to the winner’s circle. After three consecutive two-win days to kick off the summer meet at Golden Gate, Terrero sits atop the jockey standings with six wins from 24 rides.

“I can’t believe it,” said Terrero. “It just feels really good to be back to riding. I go out there, do my best and try to ride good races. I always do the best I can. I’m just happy to be back on horses again.”

Terrero, when away the track, spends time with his family. Terrero and his wife Miriam have three boys: Pedro, Pablo, and Emmanuel.

“My family has supported me all the way,” said Terrero with a smile.

TIGER QUEEN FACES WINNERS AFTER SENSATIONAL MAIDEN WIN

The date is June 13, 2021. The fillies and mares for the nightcap-with a full field of 12-are loading for the final race of the 2021 Winter/Spring meet. Trainer Bill Delia looks on as his 4-year-old filly, Tiger Queen, steps into the gate. Delia recollects he boasted plenty of confidence heading into the race, which was Tiger Queen’s second career start.

“I’ve always thought she was a real nice filly,” said Delia. “In her first race, she had to steady a few times and sort of had a rough trip. I was expecting her to run well [on June 13], but I didn’t expect her to win the way she did.”

And win she did…with authority. Sent off as the 4-1 second choice in the wagering, the daughter of Smiling Tiger went to the lead from post position 3, established a clear advantage for the first half mile, drew off from her company down the lane and hit the wire six and a half lengths ahead of silver medalist Torrey’s Girl. Tiger Queen stopped the clock for six furlongs in 1:10.60 and earned a 75 Beyer speed figure.

“She ran awesome,” said Delia. “I think she’s a pretty good one.”

Two and a half months later, Tiger Queen is enrolled to compete in the feature race this Friday, a first level allowance for fillies and mares. In the marquee eighth race, Tiger Queen draws the rail in a field of seven. Even with a somewhat undesirable post, she sits as the 5-2 morning line favorite. Oddsmaker Steve Martinelli did not forget her last afternoon showing.

“She’s on the rail, yes,” said Delia. “I think she can overcome [the post]. She’s got a lot of speed. If she gets to the front, I think she’ll be double tough. She’s training great. Her works have been real sharp. We’ve given her a bunch of half mile drills and she’s been galloping out strong.”

Golden Gate offers three live race days this week, with first post each day at 1:45 PM PT. Post time for the eighth race on Friday is 5:15 PM PT.

CALIFORNIA STALLION STRAIGHT FIRE WINNING WITH FIRST-CROP PRODIGIES

Straight Fire, a California-stallion standing at Legacy Ranch, was represented by his first Golden Gate winner last Sunday with 2-year-old filly Stopdropandroll. Stopdropandroll, owned by a large partnership consisting of Jungle Racing, KMN Racing, Legacy Ranch, LNJ Foxwoods, Old Bones Racing Stable, Rigney Racing and Jason Litt, earned a 62-beyer with the wire-to-wire score in Race 8. Stopdropandroll is out of the Super Saver mare Supersavvy, who in turn is out of 3-time stakes winner and Grade I placed, 327k earner Don’t Forget Gil.

“We expected her to show speed,” said Stopdropandroll’s trainer, Blaine Wright. “We knew she was of decent quality. Her gate work [5 furlongs in 1:01.40 on July 18] was a super gate work for Golden Gate.”

Wright was positive when asked about characteristics shown from the Straight Fire 2-year-olds in his barn.

“We have a few of his babies here at Golden Gate,” said Wright. “The Straight Fire’s are good-boned, good- minded horses. They seem to be precocious and, knock-on wood, they continue to progress.”

Straight Fire has already produced a pair of impressive maiden winners at other racetracks. Bay colt What In Blazes was a runaway victor two weeks ago at Del Mar, and Fourteeneightyfour beat open company by 9-lengths in a maiden special weight at Delaware Park on July 5.

Straight Fire, a Kentucky-bred son of Dominus out of the A.P. Indy mare Tricky Indy, was purchased as a yearling for $250,000. As a racehorse in 2016, Straight Fire broke his maiden by over 10 lengths while recording an eye-popping 98 Beyer speed figure. He returned a month later in the Grade I Del Mar Futurity and finished as the runner up to the Bob Baffert trained Klimt. His final career race in the Grade I Front Runner Stakes (now known as the American Pharoah), resulted in a third-place finish behind eventual Grade I Santa Anita Derby winner Gormley.

MANDATORY PAYOUTS HIGHLIGHT WAGERING OPPORTUNITIES THIS SUNDAY AT GOLDEN GATE FIELDS

Mandatory payouts in the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager, the Rolling Super High Five and Pick 5 bets highlight the wagering menu this Sunday, August 1 at Golden Gate Fields. First post on the 9-race program is 1:45 PM PT.

The Golden Pick Six, a 20-cent minimum bet, goes as Races 4 through 9 on the Sunday program. Among the races in the sequence: a 2-year-old maiden special weight, an allowance for colts and geldings, and a pair of turf routes. Heading into the Golden Pick Six wager on Friday, there is a small carryover of $2,270. If there is not a single ticket “jackpot” winner on Friday and or Saturday, the carryover will increase by Sunday.

The Rolling Super High Five is offered in any race in which there are seven or more starters. For horseplayers to hit this $1 minimum bet, they must correctly tab the first five finishers in a race. The mandatory payout for this wager comes in the last race in which the ‘High Five is offered.

The Early Pick 5 (Races 1-5), popular amongst horseplayers nationwide, is a low 14% takeout bet every day. The Late Pick 5 (Races 5-9), like the early wager, is a 50-cent minimum bet.

Next Friday, the two-week Wine Country Racing meet begins at Golden Gate. The Wine Country meet offers live racing three days a week, Friday through Sunday. At the conclusion of the Wine Country meet on Sunday, August 15, Golden Gate takes one week off before returning for the remainder of the summer racing season, with live racing scheduled from Friday, August 27 through Sunday, October 3. For more information, please visit goldengatefields.com.

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS CLAIMS REPORT

Below are a list of claims from last week:

FRIDAY

Race 1: Big Award (New trainer Sergio Ledezma…new owners Howard and Janet Siegel)

Race 1: Big Chick (Owner/Trainer Dan Franko)

SUNDAY

Race 4: Silver Claim (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

DEL MAR WATCH LIST

Below is a list of horses from Golden Gate who race at Del Mar this week:

THURSDAY

Race 3: #3 Seven Sisters (Trainer Andy Mathis…jockey Ricky Gonzalez)

Race 3: #4 Babe’s Got Appeal (Jonathan Wong…Kyle Frey)

Race 3: #9 Livin’ At the Bu (Bill McLean…Drayden Van Dyke)

Race 5: #5 Island Life (Jonathan Wong…Jessica Pyfer)

Race 6: #2 Chasingserendipity (Jonathan Wong…Joe Bravo)

Race 6: #9 American Bourbon (Jonathan Wong…Flavien Prat)

FRIDAY

Race 1: #7 Power’s Princess (Andy Mathis…Joe Bravo)

Race 4: #7 The Great Haynes (Jamey Thomas…Kyle Frey)

Race 5: #6 Momma Mocca (Reina Gonzalez…Kent Desormeaux)

Race 5: #8 Koko’s Mom (Charles Stutts…William Barnett)

Race 6: #3 Top Harbor (Tim McCanna…Tiago Pereira)

Race 7: #10 Engram (Quentin B. Miller…Diego Herrera)

SATURDAY

Race 4: #1 Anitanewmercedes (Isidro Tamayo…Assael Espinoza)

Race 4: #2 Appreciated (Andy Mathis…Tiago Pereira)

Race 5: #3 Til I Found You (Jonathan Wong…Jose Valdivia Jr.)

Race 5: #7 Emma’s Dance (Ed Moger Jr…Drayden Van Dyke)

Race 5: #8 Gayles Evening (Jamey Thomas…Kyle Frey)

Race 6: #1 Trina (Andy Mathis…Joe Bravo)

Race 6: #8 Going to Shabooms (Bill McLean…Kyle Frey)

Race 8: #7 Charge Cash (Tim McCanna…Tiago Pereira)

Race 11: U.S. Danger (Jonathan Wong…Jose Valdivia Jr.)

SUNDAY

Race 4: #4 Christmas Diamond (Andy Mathis…Kyle Frey)

Race 5: #3 Next Flight (Steve Miyadi…Abel Cedillo)

Race 6: #6 Fliplit (Andy Mathis…Kyle Frey)

Race 7: #1 Love of the Sport (Bill McLean…Jose Valdivia Jr.)

Race 7: #3 Philipie Fast (Tim McCanna…Ricky Gonzalez)

Race 7: #4 Frost Warning (Jonathan Wong…Edwin Maldonado)

Race 8: #8 Thismustbetheplace (Andy Mathis…Jessica Pyfer)

Race 8: #14 Tiz a Speed Bomb (Isidro Tamayo…Juan Espinoza)

Race 9: #2 Clockstrikestwelve (Jonathan Wong…Kyle Frey)

FINISH LINES: Campanile Stakes winner I’m So Anna won the $175,000 Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar last Friday, giving GGF Winter/Spring meet leading rider Kyle Frey his first career Del Mar stakes victory. Local conditioner Steve Sherman trains I’m So Anna, a homebred for owner KMN Racing LLC…Golden Gate allowance winner Top Executive, a 3-year-old colt conditioned by Blaine Wright, won the Irish Day Stakes at Emerald Downs this past Sunday. Top Executive was guided to victory by regular rider Kevin Orozco…Tim McCanna trains multiple stakes placed colt Top Harbor, who races in the $175,000 Real Good Deal Stakes for California-bred or sired 3-year-olds on Friday. Also entered is Silky Sullivan and Alcatraz Stakes winner None Above the Law, trained by Peter Miller…Happy birthday to trainer Debbie Winnick and starter Todd Stephens, both who celebrate birthday’s this week.

2-YEAR-OLD MAIDENS, TURF A POPULAR THEME THROUGHOUT OPENING WEEK

Live racing resumes at Golden Gate Fields on Friday, beginning the traditional summer meeting at “Where the Bay Comes to Play.” First post each live race day is 1:45 PM PT.

Horsemen and horsewomen are eager to run their horses at Golden Gate. For evidence of that, look no further than the entry box. On the first three live race cards of the meet, 216 horses were entered in 26 races, equating to an average field size of 8.3 horses per race.

11 of the 26 races this week are on the turf. The first grass race of the meeting is Friday’s second race: a maiden special weight sprint for California-bred fillies and mares. A full field is assembled, with five “also eligibles” looking to draw into the main body of the field if any scratches occur. Four races later, a turf allowance for 3-year-old fillies goes as the feature. The marquee event on Saturday is a second level allowance-also on turf-with hard knocking older routers set to clash at the one-mile distance. On Sunday, two co-featured allowance grass races highlight a 9-race card.

A trio of 2-year-old maiden races are part of the Saturday and Sunday programs. On Saturday, a pair of 2-year-old races are sprinkled throughout the program. The opener is a maiden claimer, while the eighth race is a California-bred maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies at five furlongs. Top trainers Blaine Wright and Isidro Tamayo debuts a pair of contenders, while Steve Specht and Ed Moger Jr. also have legit players in the field of nine. On Sunday, the sixth race gives California-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings their turn to sprint five panels. Well-known trainers Tim McCanna, Bill McLean, Jamey Thomas, and Jonathan Wong are among the conditioners who have a contender in Sunday’s sixth (the start of the Late Pick 4) with a full field of ten.

For those interested in attending live racing, fans can buy tickets online at goldengatefields.com or purchase “walk up” (cash only) parking and admission on-track. Clubhouse seating is available first come, first serve, and the paddock/A deck (first floor) is now open to patrons. For more information, please visit the link: https://goldengatefields.com/what-to-expect/

IDA CLAIRE LOOKS TO REBOUND ON TURF IN FRIDAY FEATURE

Kentucky-bred Ida Claire was a sparkling maiden winner on turf last April and made a positive impression on all who tuned into the race. Since then, she has lost three consecutive races against winners, and looks to rebound in the feature race on Opening Day Friday, a first level allowance for 3-year-old fillies. The Friday feature, which goes as Race 6 on an 8-race program, is a one-mile and a sixteenth turf route. Trainer O.J Jauregui, not shy to try something new, believes an equipment change will help Ida Claire.

“We’re putting the blinkers on [Ida Claire] for the first time,” said Jauregui. “In her last start, if you watch the video, you can see she was running on but was looking to the outside. In her last couple of races, she’s sort of lost interest and I think the blinkers will help her focus a little better. She worked really well with the blinkers on the other morning.”

Most recently, Ida Claire sprinted six furlongs on dirt at Pleasanton, where she ran third behind multiple allowance winner Do You Hear That. In all other afternoon appearances, Ida Claire has raced exclusively at two turns.

“We switched things up a little bit,” said Jauregui on putting Ida Claire in a sprint race. “It was the only race in the [condition] book for her and we figured we’d give it a shot.”

Her breeding indicates the grass and or Tapeta could be her preferred surface(s) in the long run; she is by multiple European Group 1 turf winner Declaration of War and out of a Lemon Drop Kid mare. For Saturday’s sixth race, Ida Claire draws post position 9 and figures to stalk the pace with regular pilot Irving Orozco back aboard.

“She’s versatile,” said Jauregui. “There’s some speed in the race so she’ll probably be stalking the pace.”

DEL MAR WATCH LIST

Many Golden Gate Fields shippers will compete at Del Mar Racetrack this summer. Every week, we will be noting those horses here.

Friday

Race 4 (Allowance optional claimer $62,500)

#4 Union Dance (Trainer Isidro Tamayo…Jockey Francisco Monroy)

#5 Shadrack (Tim McCanna…Tyler Baze)

Race 5 (20k claimer)

#1 Tacoflavoredkisses (Andy Mathis…Umberto Rispoli)

#2 Tribal Nation (Andy Mathis…Kent Desormeaux)

#10 Twilight Rider (Jonathan Wong…Juan Hernandez)

Race 7 ($175,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies)

#6 Joymaker (Quinn Howey…Trevor McCarthy)

#7 Amazen Grazen (Ed Moger Jr…Abel Cedillo)

#9 I’m So Anna (Steve Sherman…Kyle Frey)

Saturday

Race 2 (12.5k claimer)

#2 Take Me for a Spin (Jonathan Wong…Ricky Gonzalez)

Race 5 (Maiden 20k claimer)

#3 Bold Voyager (Ed Moger Jr…Caesar Ortega)

#4 Shackey’s Love (Jonathan Wong…Tiago Pereira)

Race 9 (Cal-bred allowance)

#1 R M C Hookem (Victor Trujillo…Ricky Gonzalez)

#6 Clem Labine (Isidro Tamayo…Kyle Frey)

Race 10 ($200,000 San Clemente for 3-year-old fillies)

#1 Pizazz (2021 California Oaks winner trained by Richard Mandella…Kyle Frey aboard)

Race 11 (16k claimer)

#1 Angel’s Advocate (Andy Mathis…Tyler Baze)

#3 Plum Wild (Ed Moger Jr…Tiago Pereira)

Sunday

Race 3 (50k claimer):

#3 Ashley’s Valentine (Andy Mathis…Kyle Frey)

#8 Mine Hunter (Andy Mathis…Juan Espinoza)

Race 4 (32k claimer):

#7 El Chavo Del Ocho (Isidro Tamayo…Kyle Frey)

Race 5 (Starter allowance):

#5 Cheerful Charm (Debbie Winick…Kyle Frey)

Race 7 (Daisycutter Handicap):

#8 Never for Money (Andy Mathis…Geovanni Franco)

#11 Sadie Bluegrass (Jonathan Wong…Brayan Pena)

Race 8 (Second level allowance)

#4 Darnquick (Isidro Tamayo…Ricky Gonzalez)

FINISH LINES: Multiple Golden Gate Fields stakes winner Camino Del Paraiso continues to train forwardly for his 2021 debut. “He’s about a month away [from being ready to race],” said trainer O.J Jauregui. “He’s a pro.” Jauregui mentioned the September 6 Rolling Green Stakes as a potential starting spot for the 8-year-old California bred…Two Golden Gate shippers bookended the Saturday card at Del Mar. In Race 1, By Moonlight won a 50k maiden claimer while bumping up in class for trainer Isidro Tamayo and jockey Kyle Frey. Frey also won the allowance nightcap atop Jimmy Blue Jeans, trained by Andy Mathis…2021 California Oaks winner Pizazz competes in Saturday’s $200,000 San Clemente Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on turf at Del Mar. Kyle Frey rides for Hall of Fame conditioner Richard Mandella. Freedom Flyer, who finished as the runner up in the California Oaks, is also entered in the San Clemente…Azul Coast, last year’s El Camino Real Derby winner, makes his 2021 debut in a second level allowance on Friday at Del Mar. Flavien Prat is slated to navigate for trainer Bob Baffert…Multiple Golden Gate Fields winner Indian Peak (now trained by Peter Miller) and Albany Stakes runner up Brandothebartender (Craig Dollase) run in the $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes for California-breds on Sunday at Del Mar…The 20 Cent Golden Pick Six jackpot wager at Golden Gate begins anew on Friday…Happy birthday to stewards assistant Devon Dunham and trainer Blaine Wright, both who celebrate their birthdays in the next 6 days…Happy belated birthday to trainer Manny Badilla, who celebrated his birthday last week. Far out!!!

FREY SECURES TOP SPOT IN THE JOCKEY STANDINGS WITH ONE WEEK TO GO

With one week left to go at the 2021 Golden Gate Fields Winter/Spring meet, jockey Kyle Frey has secured the jockey title.

Frey, 29, is close to completing a meet to remember. Heading into Thursday, the Bay Area native has won 108 races from 424 rides, with earnings of $2,123,680. Of course, those numbers will increase by the end of the week.

“It’s been a great meet. I want to thank all of the trainers, owners, grooms and exercise riders who have helped make this all possible,” said Frey. “I also want to thank my agent [Fernando “Shoes” Navarro] for doing such a great job, and Golden Gate Fields for putting on a great meet and handling COVID with such caution. [The management] did a great job getting us back to riding when it was difficult to do so.” 

Frey won a trio of stakes on Gold Rush Weekend: the Golden Poppy Stakes with Altea, the Campanile aboard I’m So Anna, and the California Oaks on Pizazz. Riding Rombauer to victory in the 2021 El Camino Real Derby was also, not surprisingly, a highlight of Frey’s meet. Rombauer earned a free berth into the Preakness Stakes with the aforementioned win and wheeled back to score a first-place-finish in the Preakness for trainer Michael McCarthy and owner/breeders John and Diane Fradkin.

“It was cool [watching Rombauer win the Preakness],” said Frey. “Rombauer clearly rose to the occasion. I’m glad to have been a part of his success and getting him there. Michael [McCarthy] is a class act. What you see on camera is exactly what you get in real life. He’s easy to work for and a really nice guy.”

Rombauer is the second horse Frey has worked with who would later compete in a Triple Crown race. In 2018, Frey rode the Doug O’Neill trained Blended Citizen to wins in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes (you read that right) at Turfway and the Grade 3 Peter Pan at Belmont. Later in the year, Blended Citizen was one of nine others to finish behind Triple Crown winner Justify in the Belmont Stakes.

Frey’s agent, Fernando “Shoes” Navarro, called it “a dream come true” to win the jockey title with his rider. Navarro also represented Assael Espinoza at the Winter/Spring meet.

“There are a lot of people to thank for our success,” said Navarro. “All of the horses, owners trainers and their help. Kyle has ridden great all meet. He makes a difference on a horse. He can ride any type of horse-closers, speed horses, you name it. He gets horses to relax beautifully. He’s got the hands-it’s all in the hands-and he’s worked hard to get to this level of success. The whole meet has been awesome.

As an agent, your goal is always to be at the top of the standings with your riders,” continued Navarro. “We work hard every day. I want to thank my family, and specifically my dad for being my number one fan. They have all been extremely supportive on my journey as a jockey agent. My riders and I are a team. We’re Team Shoes baby!”

Navarro noted that throughout the summer, Frey would be traveling to Del Mar and Emerald Downs, as well as riding in Northern California.

“Summer is gonna be fun,” said Navarro. “He’ll ride at Pleasanton and Golden Gate, but he has some chances to win some nice races at other tracks too. We’ve got some calls on Opening Day at Del Mar, possibly all opening week. We’ll be traveling back and forth. Kyle has a couple of stakes mounts at Emerald on June 20 and if things go to plan, he’ll be at Emerald for the Longacres Mile [in August].”

WONG CONTINUES HIS SUCCESS IN THE TRAINING RANKS

Trainer Jonathan Wong is well ahead in the trainer standings and, for the fourth consecutive year, will win the training title at the Golden Gate Winter/Spring meet.

“All in all, I’m really fortunate that our owners stuck with us through COVID and were supportive of the stable,” said Wong. “I have to give a lot of thanks to our jockeys, who rode hard for me and my team all meet long, and our hard-trying horses of course. I’m also really thankful to [General Manager] David Duggan, [Assistant General Manager] William Rizzuto and everyone who worked hard to get us back up and running by January.”

With four more racing days to go, Wong has 73 wins from 270 starters, equating to a 27%-win percentage. His trainees have earned $1,380,392. When asked about highlights of his meet, Wong was quick to point out Gold Rush Weekend.

“Finishing 1-2 [with Stalking Shadow and Jimmy Irish] in the California Derby was awesome,” said Wong. “Running second with Keeper ofthe Stars in the [San Francisco] Mile was a thrill. That was a great weekend.”

Wong is set to have a split-string of horses in Northern and Southern California. Much of his high-quality stock, some 2-year-olds and “California-breds that fit conditions” will be spending their summer by the beach at Del Mar. He’ll have an equally large string in Northern California for Pleasanton and the summer meets at Golden Gate.  

MATHIS SEEKING THIRD STRAIT ALBANY STAKES WIN WITH

Trainer Andy Mathis was presented the Albany Stakes trophy in 2019 and 2020 when his quick turf sprinter Mike’s Tiznow rocketed through five panels in both additions of the race. This year, Mikes Tiznow is not entered for a three-peat, but Mathis has a legit contender that could give him his third consecutive Albany Stakes win.

“It would be nice to win it three years in a row, but this is a different horse…different situation,” said Mathis.

Give Me the Lute, making his first start of 2021, was claimed by Mathis and owners Rod and Wendy Hogan for $80,000 in 2019. He has won three races and is stakes placed since the acquisition, and two of his three victories have come sprinting on turf. In fact, in one of those races he was coming off a layoff, broke the track record, and earned a 96 Beyer speed figure.

“He’s a horse that always looks good and always trains good,” said Mathis. “He’s a unique horse because he’s run well going 5 furlongs and run well going a mile and a sixteenth. I don’t recall training too many horses that can do that, especially at higher levels. This is a good starting spot for him [this year]. I’ve got plenty of 5-furlong works into him and he’s doing things the right way, so I think his fitness level is good.”

For jockey Irving Orozco, who will be aboard Saturday, the ride is expected to be uncomplicated.

“He’s a horse that you want to let him run out of the gate. You don’t want to grab him or send him hard [out of the gate],” said Mathis. “He naturally runs into the race. If he gets outsprinted and he’s sitting second or third, that’s not a problem. If he’s on the lead, that’s where he is.”

A handful of local entrants tackle Give Me the Lute in the Albany. Two of them are trained by Quinn Howey. 4-year-old gelding Bettor Trip Nick, a multiple stakes winner at Golden Gate, makes his second career start on turf. After a victory over talented sprinter Baja Sur two starts ago, Bettor Trip Nick returned to finish off the board in the Lost in the Fog Stakes on April 24. 6-year-old gelding Hong Kong Cowboy cuts back from a route to a sprint after off-the-board finishes against easier company.

“Bettor Trip Nick and Hong Kong Cowboy are both doing well,” said Howey. “Bettor Trip Nick ran on the turf once in a route race as a 3-year-old and he performed well. He’s a very versatile horse. He’s naturally fast but he does not need the lead. [Owner] Leon [Scott] wants to take a shot with Hong Kong Cowboy. He likes this turf course. Both horses are fit and as ready as they could be.”

Tom’s Surprise comes off a good-looking allowance win for trainer Jonathan Wong and bumps up in class for a crack at stakes company. A son of turf router Tom’s Tribute, Tom’s Surprise makes his career debut on grass in the Albany.

“We want to try him on grass, being by Tom’s Tribute, and he’s training really well,” said Wong.

Supplemental entrant Slam Dunk Sermon, who tries turf for the first time, and 2019 stakes winner Tap Back, moving from Santa Anita to the barn of D. Wayne Baker, complete the list of locals.

One entry that raises eyebrows of race watchers is Santa Anita shipper Brandothebartender, winner of the Sensational Star Stakes in March and the Crystal Water in April for California-breds. Brandothebartender is trained by Craig Dollase and looks to extend his win-streak to three. Exhalting, exiting the Baffle Stakes for 3-year-olds, tackles older stakes foes in the Albany. Exhalting raced under the care of Jonathan Wong last fall and won three races in a row in Northern California. He returns for Southern California conditioner Doug O’Neill.

The Albany Stakes goes as the ninth of 10 races on Saturday afternoon. First post on Saturday is 12:45 PM.

Race 9: the $50,000 Albany Stakes (5 furlongs on turf for 3-year-olds and upward)

#1 Bettor Trip Nick (Jockey Kyle Frey, Trainer Quinn Howey)

#2 Give Me the Lute (Irving Orozco, Andy Mathis)

#3 Brandothebartender (Assael Espinoza, Craig Dollase)

#4 Slam Dunk Sermon (Frank Alvarado, Steve Specht)

#5 Exhalting (Catalino Martinez, Doug O’Neill)

#6 Tap Back (Silvio Amador, D. Wayne Baker)

#7 Tom’s Surprise (William Antongeorgi III, Jonathan Wong)

#8 Hong Kong Cowboy (Jose Rodriguez, Quinn Howey)

MANDATORY PAYOUTS ON CLOSING DAY SUNDAY, 33k PICK 6 JACKPOT CARRY OVER INTO THURSDAY’S CARD

Closing day of the 2021 Winter/Spring meet at Golden Gate Fields is this Sunday, June 13. With that, there will be mandatory payouts in the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager, the Rolling Super High Five and both Pick 5 wagers.

The Golden Pick Six, a 20-cent bet, features the last six races on each card. Heading into this Thursday’s card, $33,975 is carried over into the Jackpot pool.

The Rolling Super High Five wager will have a mandatory payout in the nightcap on Sunday, assuming there are 7 or more starters in the race. The Rolling Super High Five, or the “pentafecta” wager, is hit when winning horseplayers correctly tab the first five finishers in a race.

The Early Pick 5, a low 14% takeout bet, covers the first five races each day. The Late Pick 5 sequence consists of the last five races every day. 

At the time of this writing, first post on Sunday is to be determined. Track officials project 10 to 11 races on the Closing Day program.

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week:

Friday

Race 2: May Song (New trainer Salvador Naranjo…new owner Silvia Soto and Gracia Naranjo)

Race 2: Palm D’Oro (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Saturday

Race 2: Zelaia (Victor Trujillo…Fred Montini and Victor Trujillo)

Race 6: Trina (Andy Mathis…William Branch, Richard Catone, Jim Crews and James Green)

Sunday

Race 1: Grinningeartoear (Manny Badilla…Martin Bach)

Race 1: Queen Helene (Jack Steiner…Remmah Racing Inc.)

Race 2: T Bones Trick (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables, Hon Cheung Kum & Hsiu Mei Tsai)

Race 5: Elusive Love (Jonathan Wong…Johnny Taboada)

Race 7: Moonlight Blue (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stable)

Race 9: Night Gig (Pablo De Jesus…Tim Bankers)

FINISH LINES: 2020 Rolling Green Stakes and Joseph T. Grace Stakes winner Camino Del Paraiso is back on the work tab. The 8-year-old gelding drilled 3F furlongs in 39 seconds. Said trainer O.J. Jauregui: “He went nice and easy. We’re going to ease him back into things. Once he’s ready, we’ll look for a spot”…Multiple Golden Gate Fields stakes winner Baja Sur is set to race in the Budweiser Stakes at Emerald Downs next Thursday for trainer Blaine Wright. Wright will also send out multiple Golden Gate winner Coco Bee that same afternoon in the Hastings Stakes for filly and mare sprinters. Trainer Dan Markle is also represented in the Hastings with another Golden Gate shipper, Ima Happy Cat…A good number of Golden Gate horses will be competing at Del Mar this summer. Some (but not limited to) trainers who are projected to send horses south to compete: Quinn Howey, Tim McCanna, Bill McLean, Ed Moger Jr, Isidro Tamayo, Jonathan Wong…Good luck to all this summer; we’ll see you back at Golden Gate in late July!

MOGER JR. EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE AFTER MULTIPLE 2-YEAR-OLD WINNERS ON FRIDAY

In horse racing, a glimmer of hope for the future never ceases to exist. That statement is especially relevant in the spring and summertime, when 2-year-old “early bloomers” begin their racing careers. For horsemen, owners, breeders, jockeys and racing fans everywhere, the dream is to find the next star.

This year in Northern California, trainer Ed Moger Jr. is certainly off to a good start.

Moger Jr., who currently has sixteen 2-year-olds stabled at Golden Gate Fields, debuted a pair of 2-year-old maiden special weight winners last Friday afternoon. Love Candy, the first starter (and winner) by fledgling stallion Danzing Candy, won the third race for Moger Jr. while Irish Wahine, by versatile producer Grazen, finished first in the filly division two races later.

Love Candy, owned and bred by Stuart Tsujimoto, stalked the pace early before drawing clear late to a 2 and 3/4 length victory against seven other rivals in Race 3. The gray or roan colt was ridden by Francisco Duran and paid $15.80 to win.

“I told everyone [Love Candy] was going to be our first 2-year-old winner,” said Moger Jr. “He is very athletic and mature for his age. Real professional. He does things the right way.”

About one hour later, Moger Jr. saddled Irish Wahine and Stanford filly Lion’s Lair to a 1-2 finish in Race 5. Sent off at odds of 9-1, Irish Wahine sat off the pace before producing an eye-catching move, sweeping past stablemate Lion’s Lair late to win the contest by a length and a half. Irish Wahine returned $20.40 to win, and the Moger Jr. exacta paid $69.90 for a $1 investment.

“Both fillies were raised on my farm, and we bred both of them,” said Moger Jr. “They’re beautiful fillies. I told a few people, ‘You won’t find better looking fillies in the paddock than these two.’ I think Irish Wahine will be better going a little longer, too. She’s one I’ve always liked.”

Irish Wahine certainly possesses the pedigree to enjoy added distance. Her older half-brother, Irish Heatwave, won the 2019 Silky Sullivan Stakes racing a mile on turf.

Moger Jr., who owns the 40-acre Sunny Creek Farm with his wife Geralyn in Galt, California, always has a strong prescence in Northern California 2-year-old races. This year, Moger indicated he is sending a string of “about 20” horses, many of them 2-year-olds, to Del Mar Racetrack over the summer. Love Candy and Irish Wahine are likely to be part of that group.

“The majority of our younger horses are California-breds,” said Moger. “There are races for them at Del Mar.”

ALL AMERICAN WINNER NAVY ARMED GUARD IN GOOD SHAPE AFTER STAKES WIN

Local 6-year-old gelding Navy Armed Guard may have been the hunch play of the meet at Golden Gate Fields. Sent off as the 3-1 third choice in Monday’s $100,000 All American Stakes on Memorial Day, the son of Midshipman stalked dueling pacesetters Zestful and Anyportinastorm, took the lead turning for home, was challenged by Santa Anita stakes winner Cupid’s Claws in mid-stretch, and outfinished the aforementioned rival for a half-length victory. Frank Alvarado was in the saddle for trainer Quinn Howey.

On Wednesday morning, Howey reported that Navy Armed Guard exited the All American with a clean bill of health.

“He came out of the race really well,” said Howey. “He pulled up well, looks good. He’s happy…he was playing around on the walker [machine] the next day.”

Howey was delighted with the trip Navy Armed Guard received, racing alone in third early while watching the top two “ding-dong” on the lead. 

“That was the trip we were hoping for,” said Howey. “Frank and I talked about it before the race. We both thought we’d be laying third off the two Southern California horses [Zestful and Anyportinastorm].  If they were going 48, we’d be right off of them. If they went fast, which they ended up doing, then we’d be a few lengths behind. It worked out great.”

Navy Armed Guard showed adversity down the stretch when challenged by 2020 Tokyo City Cup winner Cupid’s Claws. Cupid’s Claws, who hadn’t raced since an off-the-board finish on Breeders Cup weekend at Keeneland, had to settle for second on the afternoon.

“At the 1/8^th pole, I honestly thought we were running for second,” said Howey. “But [Navy Armed Guard] had something left. He kept running.

Whenever you see a horse go a mile in 1:36 and change over the Tapeta, it’s a big effort,” noted Howey on the final race time. “[Owner] Travis Boersma was really excited and I’m really happy for him. Whenever you can buy a nice horse like this and develop him into a stakes winner, it’s pretty satisfying.”

Navy Armed Guard earned a 98 Beyer speed figure for Monday’s win. Howey is still unsure where Navy Armed Guard will start next, but hinted at a possible stakes start at Del Mar.

“There aren’t really any races at Pleasanton for him,” said Howey. “I’m hoping to have a string of 10 to 12 horses at Del Mar and he’ll probably be one of them.”

2020 Snow Chief Stakes winner Indian Peak, who ran fourth in the All American for Howey, is also possible to compete at Del Mar this summer.

“[Indian Peak] is a California-bred, and there are some good races for good purse money at Del Mar for the Cal-breds,” said Howey.

NEVER FOR MONEY TRIES STAKES COMPANY AT SANTA ANITA

4-year-old filly Never for Money makes her stakes debut for trainer Andy Mathis in the Grade 2 Monrovia at Santa Anita on Saturday. The Monrovia, a six-and-a-half-furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares, is led by Grade 2 Lexus Raven Run winner Venetian Harbor, Grade 3 placed Superstition and recent stakes winner Constantia.

“There are no more ‘easy’ spots for her,” said Mathis. “She’s run through her conditions.”

Never for Money is lightly raced, with just five career starts to her name. Three of her five afternoon appearances have resulted in trips to the winners circle.

“She’s been a home run,” said Mathis, who purchased Never for Money with co-owner Michael Jawl for $2,200. “When she started working, she was outworking horses that we had bought for a lot more money. Before she ran in her first race, we knew she could run. Last year, she ran third in a second level allowance race and she was a 3-year-old facing older. That’s not an easy thing to do.”

Never for Money beat a second level allowance field in her 2021 debut on May 7, defeating stakes placed Sadie Bluegrass and stakes winner Hollywood Hills. The victory, at five-furlongs on turf, marked her first start in six months.

“I thought the distance might be a little short for her, but she was working good,” said Mathis. “She’ll do what you ask her to do [in her training]. The key before the race is getting her to relax. Sometimes she gets a little excited in the paddock and in the post parade.”

Never for Money, certainly a bargain buy for Team Mathis, is 20-1 on the morning line and will be ridden by Geovanni Franco for the first time.

“I’m a realist,” said Mathis. “This is a tough race with some really nice sprinters. We’re hoping to pick up pieces late.”

ROMBAUER DRAWS POST 3 IN BELMONT STAKES, GETS NEW PILOT

2021 El Camino Real Derby and Preakness winner Rombauer drew post position 3 in an eight-horse Belmont Stakes field this Saturday at Belmont Park. Rombauer, listed at 3-1 on the morning line, will be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez for the first time. Flavien Prat, who rode Rombauer in the Preakness, has opted to ride Kentucky Derby third place finisher Hot Rod Charlie.

Rombauer breezed a half mile last Friday in 50.01 seconds in preparation for the 2021 Belmont. Velazquez was aboard for the workout, which can be viewed on XBTV.com.

CLAIMS REPORT

Friday

Race 1: Runnin Diva (New trainer Melanie McDonald…new owner Audrey Martel)

Race 6: My Sunshine (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing)

Race 8: Diction (Mike Lenzini…John Parker)

Race 8: Tough It Out (D. Wayne Baker…Baker, Bergounous, Decamilla, Hansen, Lang & Lang)

Saturday

Race 2: Kaline (Bill McLean…McLean, Naidoo, Schmit & Smith)

Race 3: Red Bunting (Owner/Trainer Faith Taylor)

Race 6: Oiseau de Guerre (Owner/Trainer Angela Aquino)

Race 7: Made in Karoo (Jonathan Wong…KAM Racing Stables)

Race 7: Northern Gem (Librado Barocio…Mia Familia Racing Stable)

Sunday

Race 3: Extractor (Blaine Wright…Bryan Smith)

Race 3: Rally Cat (Owner/Trainer Arturo Williams)

Race 3: Sweet River Baines (Jonathan Wong…Madden Racing and MJVET Stables)

Race 6: Megameister (Ed Moger Jr…Steve Moger)

Race 9: Trouble N Paradise (Isidro Tamayo…Lurdes Ochoa and Rafael Sanchez)

Race 9: True Friend (Jamey Thomas…Troy Thomas)

Monday

Race 3: He Be Mojo Risin (Victor Trujillo….Isidro Ruvalcaba and Trujillo)

Race 3: Second Bold (Jonathan Wong…Johnny Taboada)

Race 6: Pearl Dragon (Victor Trujillo…Marron Road Ventures LLC)

FINISH LINES: The nightcap on Sunday, a maiden special weight on turf for 3-year-old fillies, was won by Miss Bella Ciao. The Neil Drysdale trained daughter of Tapit was purchased for $900,000 as a yearling in 2019 and is a half sibling to multiple Grade I placed mare Madame Stripes…$16,893 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six jackpot pool on Friday…Happy birthday to trainer Steve Miyadi, who celebrates his birthday on Tuesday…Leg D of the Stronach 5 wager goes as Race 3 at Golden Gate Fields on Friday.