CRUZ AND ESPINOZA ADD DEPTH TO ALREADY-SKILLFUL COLONY

Jockeys Alex Cruz and Assael Espinoza recently shipped their tack to Golden Gate Fields and are the newest additions to the growingly gifted jockey colony in the Bay Area.

A native of Puerto Rico, 27-year-old Alex Cruz won the recently concluded 2020 Emerald Downs meet riding title with 72 wins from 38 racing days. With that, Cruz is no stranger to winning riding titles; he also won the most races out of any jockey last year at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona. He and his wife are expecting a baby in January and have opted to move to Northern California in hopes of a permanent stay in the Golden State.

“He’s a very talented jockey,” said Cruz’s agent, David “Marbles” Singer, who represented jockey Rocco Bowen at Golden Gate in 2017 and 2018. “Alex has impressed me. He can ride any type of horse. He can go to the lead. He can put up well-timed rides and come from off the pace. He’s the whole package. He won at least one race every day for the last 25 days at Emerald and finished out the meet with a 5-win afternoon on Closing Day. He’s coming to Golden Gate in good form…with confidence.”

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Assael Espinoza began working horses at Golden Gate last week and will be represented by agent Fernando “Shoes” Navarro. Espinoza, who is the nephew of Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza, was born and raised just miles from Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia, California.

“I’m really excited to be working with Assael,” said Navarro. “He’s a young, enthusiastic guy with a good head on his shoulders. I’ve watched him ride and he definitely has talent.”

Espinoza had a fine season as an apprentice and rode for top Southern California trainers like Bob Baffert, Peter Miller, and John Sadler during his stay on the aforementioned Southern California circuit. After a brief stint as a journeyman at Santa Anita, Espinoza opted to move North.

“Assael is a hard worker,” said Navarro. “He’s really eager to get to work every morning and has enjoyed going by the barns and meeting everyone here. It might take a week or two to get his business really rolling but that’s normal for a jockey at a new place. If he is given the right opportunities, I really do believe he can do very well at Golden Gate.”

EXHALTING LOOKS TO CONTINUE WIN STREAK IN GOLDEN NUGGET ON SATURDAY

Six entrants-five locally based contenders and one from Southern California-are set to go postward in the feature race of the week on Saturday: the $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds on Tapeta. The six-furlong Golden Nugget is a potential springboard for the $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes on December 5 and goes as Race 7 on a 9-race program this Saturday.

The one to beat is Exhalting, who enters the Golden Nugget with a 3-race win streak intact. The son of Chitu most recently defeated a group of allowance foes three weeks ago and, three weeks earlier, won a starter allowance at low odds. He broke his maiden on September 26, meaning he will be making his fourth start in just seven weeks.

“With all of his races pretty close together, he’s really fit,” said trainer Jonathan Wong. “We’re just keeping him happy. He’s ready go. It would have been nice to have another week or two of rest before this race but he’s doing really well. His best weapon is speed and we don’t want to take that away from him, so I’d imagine he’ll be forwardly placed again.”

A number of impressive maiden winners enter the Golden Nugget in search of a stake trophy. Mischievous Path, an eye-catching eight length maiden winner on October 4, is one that will likely get bet. Although trainer Greg James admits that he was not surprised that his star 2-year-old won on debut, he was taken aback by the margin of victory and “how he won.”  

“I didn’t expect him to win like he did the other day,” said James. “He won going away and he had more in the tank. We’ve always thought he was a really nice horse though. Some of these younger horses…you work them and train them and it’s clear when you see the good ones because they do things the right way. [Mischievous Path] has always done things the right way and he’s always worked like a really nice horse. He has a great mind and continues to train beautifully heading into this race.”

Mischievous Path is a son of California stallion Curlin to Mischief, a royally bred son of Curlin who is a half sibling to Grade I winners Into Mischief, Beholder and Mendelssohn.

Run Snappy, a Runhappy colt trained by Southern California conditioner John Sadler, draws the inside post position for his first career start over a synthetic surface. He was purchased for $230,000 as a yearling and is a half sibling to Grade 3 winner Heavenhasmynikki and stakes winners Dougs Buddy and Floral Sky. Ben Wade, in the meantime, is a Nick Alexander California-homebred trained by Steve Miyadi who comes off a three-quarter length win against maiden special weight foes at Golden Gate and draws post position two.

Mando, who cuts back from a route to a sprint, is the only horse with stakes experience. Mando broke his maiden sprinting at Golden Gate in the spring and, one race later, finished fourth in the Everett Nevin Stakes at Pleasanton.

Longshot Coriscan rounds out the field. He picked up his first career winners circle photo in a maiden special weight race two months ago, albeit over firm turf. His only other race, an off-the-board finish behind Exhalting, indicates improvement is needed for him to take home the gold prize.

Race 7 on Saturday: the $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes (6 furlongs on Tapeta for 2-year-olds)

#1 Run Snappy (Jockey Irving Orozco, trainer John Sadler)

#2 Ben Wade (Kyle Frey, Steve Miyadi)

#3 Mischievous Path (Frank Alvarado, Greg James)

#4 Exhalting (Evin Roman, Jonathan Wong)

#5 Coriscan (Santos Rivera, D. Wayne Baker)

#6 Mando (Catalino Martinez, Andreas Psarras)

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of all horses claimed last week.

Thursday

Race 1: Sizzling Jamie (New trainer Isidro Tamayo…new owner Johnny Taboada)

Race 3: Avalon Ride (Marcia Stortz…Mojarro Racing LLC)

Race 3: Buttie (Owner/Trainer John Martin)

Race 4: Gooch Express (Owner/Trainer Felix Rondan)

Race 7: Midnight Luck (Sammy Calvario…Rhonda Kirby)

Friday

Race 2: Boundforjamaica (Bob Hess Sr…David Milburn and Donald Muldoon)

Race 7: Respect My Candor (Owner/Trainer Steve Miyadi)

Saturday

Race 2: Hydrogen (O.J. Jauregui…Charles Gerson and Angel Valadez)

Race 2: Sarni (Owner/Trainer Jose Bautista)

Sunday

Race 1: Debt Monger (Marcia Stortz…Gustavo Adolfo Tirado)

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

Race 8: Tyler’s Tek (Jonathan Wong…Madden Racing and MJVET Stables)

Race 9: Miss You Mom (Andreas Psarras…Ronald Baldwin and Andreas Psarras)

FINISH LINES: Windy City Red, who finished off the board for trainer Jonathan Wong in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint last Saturday at Keeneland, exited the race in good order and is possible to race in the one-mile Gold Rush Stakes at Golden Gate in early December…Piston, a full sibling to Grade 3 winner Mr. Bowling, returns to the races for trainer Jamey Thomas in Race 8 on Saturday, an allowance for 3-year-olds and upward. The son of Istan broke his maiden impressively on debut in February…Grazen Road, a half-sibling to 500k earner and Grade 3 winner Just Grazed Me, makes her career debut for trainer Victor Trujillo in Race 3 on Saturday, a maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies…The Golden Pick Six jackpot carryover has climbed to $22,342 heading into Thursday afternoon’s race card…The last leg (Leg E) of the Stronach 5 wager goes as Race 3 on Friday at Golden Gate…Happy birthday to trainers Gloria Haley and Bill McLean, both who celebrate birthday’s this week.  

JOSEPH T. GRACE STAKES SHOWCASES THE BEST OLDER ROUTERS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

An intriguing field of nine is entered to compete in the feature race of the week, the $50,000 Joseph T. Grace Stakes on turf for 3-year-olds and upward. The mile and a sixteenth contest is the marquee grass race at the current Golden Gate Fields Fall meet and goes as the seventh of eight races on this Saturday’s card.

The headliner is none other than Camino Del Paraiso, who was last seen winning the September 7 Rolling Green Stakes for trainer O.J. Jauregui. The California-bred son of Suances is a multiple graded stakes-placed gelding that has earned $440,092 throughout his six-year career. This will be his fourteenth-lifetime start. Catalino Martinez, who navigated Camino Del Paraiso to victory in the Rolling Green, rides back on Saturday.  

Give Me the Lute, claimed by trainer Andy Mathis and owners Rod and Wendy Hogan for $80,000 last year, is a son of Boisterous who broke the Golden Gate track record sprinting five furlongs on turf in June. He enters this stake off a decisive second-level allowance victory routing and will be ridden by Irving Orozco, who was aboard for his most recent victory. Fuente, who ran second to Give Me the Lute in the aforesaid second-level allowance, is also entered in the Joseph T. Grace. Fuente picks up the services of jockey Erick Lopez.

Defending champion Mugaritz makes his first start of 2020 in the Joseph T. Grace for trainer Jonathan Wong. He won the 2019 Berkeley Handicap over the local strip last year and also scored a dominant victory on dirt in the 2019 Bulldog Handicap at Fresno. Evin Roman rides for the first time. Navy Armed Guard, in the meantime, broke the track record going one mile on Tapeta in September and returns to turf for trainer Quinn Howey. The son of Midshipman finished third behind Camino Del Paraiso in the Rolling Green two months ago with Frank Alvarado, who retains the mount on Saturday.

Two Southern California shippers blend into the mix. Love and Peace, a filly facing males in the Rolling Green, comes off a gate to wire victory against other females at a second-level allowance condition. Hall of Fame trainer Neil Drysdale and local rider William Antongeorgi III team up with the French-bred daughter of Linngari, The Black Album, a Peter Miller trainee who ran off the board in the Rolling Green and most recently finished fifth in Santa Anita’s Lure Stakes on October 25, also makes the trip north and will be ridden by Kyle Frey.

Stakes placed Builder and allowance winner Lookin for Revenge rounds out the field. Please note that post time on Thursday and Sunday remains at 12:45 PM PT. However, our Friday and Saturday programs have a later first post of 1:15 PM PT.

Race 8 on Saturday: $50,000 Rolling Green Stakes (one mile and a sixteenth on turf)

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

#2 Fuente (Erick Lopez, Manny Badilla)

#3 Camino Del Paraiso (Catalino Martinez, O.J Jauregui)

#4 Lookin For Revenge (Santos Rivera, Brendan Galvin)

#5 The Black Album (Kyle Frey, Peter Miller)

#6 Love and Peace (William Antongeorgi, Neil Drysdale)

#7 Builder (Silvio Amador, Ed Moger Jr,)

#8 Mugaritz (Evin Roman, Jonathan Wong)

#9 Navy Armed Guard (Frank Alvarado, Quinn Howey)

NEVER BE ENOUGH SCORES IN KATHRYN CROSBY STAKES AT DEL MAR

5-year-old mare Never Be Enough won her third race in a row for trainer Manny Badilla in Saturday’s feature race at Del Mar, the Kathryn Crosby Stakes for older filly and mare routers at one mile on turf. Navigated by Southern California pilot Tiago Pereira, Never Be Enough sat in midfield for the majority of the race before displaying a sharp acceleration down the stretch. She hit the wire a length in front of runner up finisher Colonial Creed and paid $14.80 to win.

“She ran awesome,” said Badilla on Wednesday. “We’re proud of her. [Jockey] Tiago Pereira gave her a great ride. She returned to the barn [at Golden Gate] this morning and looks great. We’ll take her back to the track tomorrow morning.”

This is the second year in a row in which Northern California shippers have taken home the gold prize in the Kathryn Crosby. Last year, Wicked Old Fashion posted a 32-1 shocker for trainer Victor Trujillo and jockey Evin Roman.

Never Be Enough has won four of six races for Badilla and owners Ron Charles and Sam Gordon since being purchased by the aforementioned connections in late January from Europe. Her last two wins before the Kathryn Crosby Stakes triumph came at Golden Gate in a pair of allowance races run over the main track Tapeta.

“She’s a real nice mare,” said Badilla. “We went to Southern California for this last race because once she was able to beat [multiple stakes winning stablemate] Sloane Garden [in her last start at Golden Gate], we knew she was in great form.”

Badilla proudly displayed a Del Mar condition book when asked on where Never Be Enough would run next. He pointed to the stakes schedule.

“We’re pointing to the Red Carpet Handicap in three weeks,” said Badilla. “We’re sending her back down south for her next race. She’ll be going a mile and three eighths next time.

The Grade 3 Red Carpet Handicap, at the aforementioned 13-furlong distance, has a purse of $100,000. For fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward, the Red Carpet will be run on Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 26.

PIKE PLACE DANCER WINNER I’M SO ANNA POSSIBLE FOR GRADE I STARLET

Local filly I’m So Anna fended off all challenges to the win the $75,000 Pike Place Dancer Stakes last Saturday at Golden Gate Fields. Trained by Steve Sherman, I’m So Anna went to the lead, set moderate fractions up front and held off late rallies from Southern California shippers Consternation and Sweetest Angel to win the mile turf contest by a narrow margin.

Shortly after the race, Sherman indicated to the Daily Racing Form’s Chuck Dybdal that the Grade I Starlet Stakes at a mile and a sixteenth on dirt could be next for the California-bred daughter of Fast Anna, who was bred by owners KMN Racing.

“She ran so well when she broke her maiden, I’d like to see her run there again,” Sherman told Dybdal. “She’s been a joy to train. She has a great temperament and never gives up even when she’s lost.”

In the aforesaid quote, Sherman was referring to I’m So Anna’s maiden victory in July when defeating a large field of California-breds over the Los Alamitos dirt. The Starlet, run at Los Alamitos on December 5, would be a major steppingstone for Fast Anna. That said, a win or even a top three placing in a Grade I race is lucrative for any filly or mare, especially once they retire to broodmare status after their racing careers.

BAJA SUR ROMPS IN EL DORADO SHOOTER STAKES

Trainer Blaine Wright couldn’t have been more pleased with how Baja Sur ran in Sunday’s feature race at Golden Gate, the $75,000 El Dorado Shooter Stakes. Sent off as the 4-5 favorite under jockey Catalino Martinez, the Washington-bred son of Smiling Tiger sat fourth in the early stages before producing a strong rally down the stretch, hitting the wire four lengths ahead of

runner up Bettor Trip Nick and third place finisher Ultimate Bango.

“He ran great,” said Wright after the races on Sunday night. “He had a rough trip in his last start [at Santa Anita] and might have been able to win that day. He’s a super nice horse and it’s great to see him back in winning form.” 

Wright, who trains Baja Sur for owners John and Janene Maryanski and Gerald Schneider, mentioned that the Oakland Stakes on November 21 is a “possible” next race for his star sprinter. If Baja Sur were to compete in the Oakland, it would also likely be his last race this year, said Wright.

“He came out of the El Dorado Shooter in good shape,” said Blaine. “He’ll return to the track on Thursday, we’ll see how he trains and go from there. He’s been in training pretty much all year round, so if we run in the Oakland we’ll give him a break after that.”

CLAIMS REPORT

Thursday

Race 5: Duchamp (new trainer Dan Markle…new owners Peerenboom-Bowyer Racing Stables LLC)

Friday

Race 3: Trina (Jonathan Wong…Johnny Taboada)

Saturday

Race 6: Spanish Hombre (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Race 7: Felony One (Isidro Tamayo…Joel Gonzalez)
Race 7: Zelaia (Isidro Tamayo…Sergio Salguero)

Sunday

Race 1: Final Demand (Rene Amescua…Kelly Stable and Brent Stapley)

Race 5: Coil to Strike (Marcia Stortz…Anabella Perozo and Gustavo Adolfo Tirado)

Race 9: Perfect Come Back (Jonathan Wong…MVJET Stables)

FINISH LINES: Trainer Victor Trujillo won four races last week, including with all three of his starters on Friday…2-year-old filly Sandy Sunshine broke her maiden in Race 2 on Saturday. Sandy Sunshine was bred by the University of Kentucky and was foaled by none other than Golden Gate Fields veterinarian Casille Batten. Small world!…This Friday at Del Mar, recent Golden Gate maiden winner Starlight Stroll and the filly who ran second in that race, Okoye, are entered to run in the 7-furlong $150,000 Golden State Juvenile Filles. The race is for California bred or California sired 2-year-old fillies…On Saturday at Del Mar, Golden Gate winners Tacoflavoredkisses and Doc Adams are entered to compete in the $150,000 Golden State Juvenile for 2-year-old colts and geldings…Trainer Jonathan Wong will officially saddle his first Breeders Cup starter this Saturday. Windy City Red, who broke his maiden at Golden Gate Fields in September, drew post position number 2 of 14 in Friday’s $1,000,000 Juvenile Turf Sprint at five and a half furlongs on turf. Post time for the Juvenile Turf Sprint is 2:30 p.m ET/11:30 p.m. PT. Jose Valdivia Jr. rides the son of Chitu, who has been installed at 30-1 on the morning line…Ex Golden Gate Fields racer Cupid’s Claws won the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup at one mile and a half on dirt earlier this fall and returns on the Breeders Cup Friday Keeneland card in the $150,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes at 13 furlongs. Flavien Prat rides for trainer Craig Dollase…Good luck to jockey Ferrin Peterson, who began her career at Golden Gate Fields and had a sensational summer at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. Ferrin and her agent, legendary jockey Julie Krone, are moving to Aqueduct in Queens, New York for the winter…$11,286 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager on Thursday…Leg C (the third leg) of the Stronach 5 wager this Friday goes as Race 1 at Golden Gate…Happy birthday to jockeys Frank Alvarado and Santos Rivera and trainer O.J. Jauregui, all who turn a year older this week.

WINDY CITY RED PRE-ENTERED IN BREEDERS CUP JUVENILE TURF SPRINT FOR WONG

2-year-old colt Windy City Red, who broke his maiden at Golden Gate Fields on September 5, is bound for the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at five and a half furlongs on Friday, November 6. The Florida-bred son of Chitu is trained by Northern California’s leading trainer, Jonathan Wong. According to Wong, Windy City Red has always been well thought of.

“At the OBS Ocala sale in April, [bloodstock agent] Nick Hines told me, ‘Jonathan, there’s a Chitu colt you’ve gotta buy,'” said Wong. “We bid up to $54,000 for him and were lucky enough to get him. Ever since he started training, it was pretty apparent he had talent. He’s always trained like a good horse.”

Windy City Red followed up his maiden win at Golden Gate with a better-than-looked third place finish in the Speakeasy Stakes at Santa Anita on September 26-a race known as the West Coast prep race for the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. 

“I was really happy with the way he ran in the Speakeasy,” said Wong. “He only lost by about a half-length and galloped out great. Jose Valdivia Jr. [the jockey] said that [Windy City Red] is still learning but once he figures things out, he’s going to be a really nice racehorse.”

There was a combination of factors that Wong determined were good reasons for Windy City Red to travel to the Breeders Cup.

“The winner of the Speakeasy [Amanzi Yimpilo] for [trainer] Wesley Ward is a good filly that’s a major contender in the Juvenile Turf Sprint. We were right there with her,” said Wong. “Our horse is training great and the owners are super excited to have a chance to run in the Breeders Cup. Two of the owners of this horse have never owned a horse before…this is their first horse. It should be a fun experience.”

Wong noted that Windy City Red, based at Santa Anita, will have one more workout on Thursday morning before shipping to the host of the 2020 Breeders Cup, Keeneland Racecourse in Kentucky, on November 1.

“His last work before the race is this Thursday at Santa Anita,” said Wong.

24 two-year-olds pre-entered into the Juvenile Turf Sprint, with Windy City Red listed as the 17^th horse on the list. The maximum number of starters for the Juvenile Turf Sprint is 14, which means Windy City Red will need three defections to draw into the main body of the field. That said, the chances of him getting into the race are very high, as four contenders in the Juvenile Turf Sprint have “first preference” in other Breeders Cup races. If all four of those horses decide to run in their respectable first preference races, which is highly likely, then Windy City Red would make it into the main body of the Juvenile Turf Sprint Field.

The pre-entry process for the Breeders Cup is essentially a “stakes nominations” process. Official post positions for all the Breeders Cup races will be drawn on Monday, November 2.

IT’S SOUTHERN VS. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA IN THE PIKE PLACE DANCER ON SATURDAY

A mix of Northern California locals and Southern California invaders make for an interesting edition of the Pike Place Dancer Stakes this Saturday afternoon at Golden Gate Fields. The Pike Place Dancer, the first of 10 stakes races at the current Fall meet, is a one-mile turf event for 2-year-old fillies. The Pike Place Dancer goes as the eighth of nine races.

The two headliners: Southern California trained Consternation and local filly I’m So Anna. Consternation, purchased out of her career debut in Ireland by her current connections, comes off a seventh-place finish in the Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita earlier this month. The winner of the Surfer Girl, Madone, is a major contender in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf next week. Two starts ago, Consternation broke her maiden at Santa Anita. Julien Couton rides for trainer Paddy Gallagher, who has been training the daughter of Acclamation at his Santa Anita home base.

I’m So Anna, a California-bred by speedy sprinter Fast Anna, showed she could be effective going a route of ground in her most recent afternoon appearance on October 11. That day, she stalked the pace before losing by a half-length to Southern California shipper and stakes placed colt Tacoflavoredkisses. That effort gave trainer Steve Sherman confidence that his star 2-year-old would fit in the Pike Place Dancer.

“I thought she ran great the other day,” said Sherman. “The colt that beat her is a nice horse and the race set her up well for the Pike Place Dancer.”

Mischief Free, racing in her own backyard for Team Wong, hit the board in her first two career starts sprinting and tries a route of ground for the first time while also making her turf debut. She is by one of the hottest sires in North America, Into Mischief.

“I’ve always thought she would enjoy added distance,” said Wong. “She seems like a mile/mile and a sixteenth type. Obviously, we want to win, but if she can hit the board and earn some black type, that would be great.”

Sweetest Angel, a Candy Ride filly from trainer George Papaprodromou’s stable at Santa Anita, finished fourth in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Fillies Stakes last August before finishing third in her most recent afternoon appearance, a maiden special weight going two-turns at “The Great Race Place.” Although another maiden in the race, she has shown the ability to be competitive against this group.

Recent maiden winner Miss Glorious easily defeated next out winner Back Slider in an October 3 maiden special weight on October 3 and makes her first start against winners in the Pike Place Dancer. Another Southern California-trained filly, Risen Lady, broke her maiden by open lengths against high-level maiden claiming company for trainer Michael McCarthy at Golden Gate and returns to the Bay Area in search of a stakes win. She is one of two fillies in this race that have already won routing two turns on the turf, the other entrant being Consternation.

Momma Mocca is out of a broodmare who has produced a couple of stakes caliber turf routers. Momma Mocca hit the wire first in a maiden race two starts ago but was disqualified that day for interference to another rival. Alas, she remains a maiden heading into the Pike Place Dancer.

New Ways to Dream rounds out the field. The daughter of Midshipman rallied down the lane to run fourth in a well-regarded maiden race two weeks ago. She has breeding to suggest she will enjoy two turns and adds blinkers for trainer Brendan Galvin.

Race 8 on Saturday: the $75,000 Pike Place Dancer Stakes for 2-year-old fillies

One mile on turf (approximate post time: 4:45 PM PT)

#1 Consternation (Jockey Julien Couton, Trainer Paddy Gallagher

#2 I’m So Anna (Frank Alvarado, Steve Sherman)

#3 Mischief Free (Kyle Frey, Jonathan Wong)

#4 Risen Lady (Erick Lopez, Michael McCarthy)

#5 Momma Mocca (Francisco Monroy, Reina Gonzalez)

#6 Sweetest Angel (Evin Roman, George Papaprodromou)

#7 Miss Glorious (William Antongeorgi III, Andrew Lerner)

#8 New Ways to Dream (Irving Orozco, Brendan Galvin)

NO LONGER SILENT TRIES STAKES COMPANY AFTER TRACK RECORDING PERFORMANCE

Top Northern California sprinter No Longer Silent starts in Sunday’s $75,000 El Dorado Shooter Stakes for California-bred or California-sired 3-year-olds and upward. No Longer silent raised eyebrows and dropped jaws in his last start on September 26 when breaking the track record sprinting five and a half furlongs, stopping the clock in 1:01.93 seconds while earning a career high 93 Beyer speed figure for his effort.

“He’s doing great,” said No Longer Silent’s trainer, Jonathan Wong. “He’s really matured physically and mentally since we gave him some time off from December to July. We haven’t trained him too hard because he put up such a big effort in his last start. We’re just keeping him happy and fit at this point. I’m very pleased with how he’s coming into Sunday’s race.”

The El Dorado Shooter, a six-furlong race on Tapeta, was previously known as the Harris Farm Stakes and is now named after the lightning quick sprinter trained by Cliff DeLima in the early 2000’s. El Dorado Shooter earned $558,242 through his six-year career and won eight Northern California stakes races, including the Grade 3 Bay Meadows Breeders Cup Sprint in 2003.

CLAIMS REPORT

Below are a list of claims from last week.

Thursday

Race 1: Rest Easy Two Four (New trainer Dan Markle…New owner Peerenboom-Bowyer Racing Stable LLC)

Race 5: Honeymoonz Over (Blaine Wright…Seamist Racing, Dallas & Michelle Becker & Wright)

Friday

Race 4: Miss You Mom (Reid France…Francis Lagattuta and Reid France)

Saturday

Race 10: Arno’s Mane Man (D. Wayne Baker…Baker, Bergounous, Decamilla and Hansen)

Race 10: Potente Alba (Isidro Tamayo…Johnny Taboada)

Sunday

No Claims

FINISH LINES: Race 6 on Sunday completed the superfecta in numerical order: #1 Exhalting hit the wire first, #2 Doc Adams ran second, #3 Le Majestic finished third and #4 My Father Footstep checked in fourth…Recent Golden Gate Fields allowance winner Tacoflavoredkisses, a 2-year-old colt trained by Simon Callaghan, is up for sale on Wanamakers, a new thoroughbred auction website for racehorses of all ages. Bidding on Tacoflavoredkisses goes live from 8 AM to 5 PM on Thursday, November 5. To view his catalog page and more info, visit Wanamakers.com…Juan Hernandez continues to ride well in Southern California; the 28-year-old journeyman finished second in the Santa Anita Fall Meet jockey standings with 23 wins, four victories shy of leading rider Flavien Prat. Ricky Gonzalez cracked the top five placings, too, finishing fifth in the Santa Anita standings with 10 wins…Jockey Amadeo Perez, a mainstay at Hastings Racecourse in Canada, makes his 2020 Golden Gate Fields debut in Race 5 on Friday aboard Doghouse for trainer Sammy Calvario…$19,862 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager…Race 3 on Friday is Leg E (the final race) of the Stronach 5 wager this week… Happy birthday to trainer Jeff Bonde and racing official Tammy Lynn Mcduffie-Morris, both who celebrate this week.

TEN STAKES RACES HIGHLIGHT THE UPCOMING FALL MEET AT GOLDEN GATE

The 32-day 2020 Fall Meet at Golden Gate Fields begins Thursday, October 22 and runs through Sunday, December 13. For the first seven days of the meeting, first post is slated for 1:15 PM. Beginning Sunday, November 1, post time for the first race moves to 12:45 PM.

Ten stakes races are spread throughout the eight-week season, beginning on October 31 with the Pike Place Dancer at one mile on turf for 2-year-old fillies. On November 1, the El Dorado Stakes calls attention to California-bred or California-sired sprinters at six furlongs on the Tapeta main track.

The Pike Place Dancer is one of four stakes races for 2-year-olds. On Saturday, November 14, freshman sprinters journey six furlongs in the Golden Nugget. The fillies get their chance to shine two weeks later in the six-furlong Golden Gate Debutante on November 27. The Gold Rush, a one-mile event on Saturday, December 5, rounds out the 2-year-old Fall Meet stakes series.

The Joseph T. Grace,  at one mile and a sixteenth on turf, is one of two stakes’ for routers 3-years-old and upward. Horses who compete in the November 7 Joseph T. Grace may also try their hand in the premier race of the meeting, the $100,000 Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap, at one mile and a sixteenth on Tapeta. The Grade 3 Berkeley is scheduled for Saturday, November 28, two days after Thanksgiving.

The six-furlong Oakland Stakes, for 3-year-olds and upward on Saturday, November 21, shines light on top-quality Bay Area sprinters. Two stakes races highlight closing weekend: the six-furlong Bear Fan for California-bred or California-sired fillies and mares on Saturday, December 12, and the Miss America on Closing Day Sunday, December 13, for fillies and mares at one-mile and a sixteenth on turf.

For additional info or to nominate to a stake, please contact Golden Gate Fields Stakes Coordinator Lisa Jones by phone at (626) 388-8062 or by e-mail at lisnpac12@hotmail.com.

FALL 2020 STAKES SCHEDULE

Saturday, October 31: The $75,000 Pike Place Dancer Stakes (2-year-old filles at one mile on turf)

Sunday, November 1: The $75,000 El Dorado Shooter Stakes (California-bred or California-sired 3-year-olds and upward at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Saturday, November 7: The $50,000 Joseph T. Grace Stakes (3-year-olds and upward at one mile and a sixteenth on turf)

Saturday, November 14: The $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes (2-year-olds at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Saturday, November 21: The $50,000 Oakland Stakes (3-year-olds and upward at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Friday, November 27: The $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante 2-year-olds at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Saturday, November 28: The Grade 3 $100,000 Berkeley Handicap (3-year-olds and upward at one mile and a sixteenth on Tapeta)

Saturday, December 5: The $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes (2-year-olds at one mile on Tapeta)

Saturday, December 12: The $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes (California-bred or California-sired fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Sunday, December 13: The $50,000 Miss America Stakes (Fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward at one mile and a sixteenth on turf)

FREY, WONG, IRVIN RACING STABLE WIN SUMMER MEET TITLES

Jockey Kyle Frey, trainer Jonathan Wong and owner Irvin Racing Stable sat atop their respective divisions’ standings at the recently concluded Golden Gate Fields summer meet.

28-year-old journeyman rider Kyle Frey won the most races out of any jockey with 47 victories from 205 mounts, equating to a strong 23%-win percentage. Represented by agent Fernando “Shoes” Navarro, Frey tallied $803,264 in purse earnings and finished in-the-money with 54% of his rides. Apprentice jockey Santos Rivera finished second in the jockey standings with 27 wins while Irving Orozco and Evin Roman tied for third with 25 wins apiece. Frank Alvarado completed the top five with 23 first-place finishes.

Trainer Jonathan Wong picked up his ninth training title at Golden Gate Fields when saddling 40 winners from 159 starters at the 6-week summer meet. Wong earned $764,062 in purse money and hit-the-board with 58% of his starters. Isidro Tamayo, the conditioner with the second most wins at the summer meet, visited the winner’s circle 21 times. Steve Sherman, who finished third in the trainer standings with 17 wins, had the highest win percentage of any trainer who saddled more than 50 starters, tallying a 27%-win rate.

Owners Betty and Diane Irvin, who race under the name “Irvin Racing Stable”, won more races than any other owner with 6 victories from their 21 entrants. They campaigned 5 additional second place finishers and 4 horses who hit the wire third, finishing in-the-money with 71% of their starters. Irvin Racing Stables has horses with trainers Greg James and Bill McLean in Northern California and Carla Gaines in Southern California.

Betty and Diane Irvin, a mother-daughter team, are strong supporters of California racing. Betty resides in Los Angeles while Diane has residences in Colorado and Nevada. They own C-Punch Ranch in Lovelock, Nevada, and all of their racehorses are Irvin family homebreds. `

CLAIMS REPORT

Below are the list of claims made from last week:

Friday

Race 1: Kayda (New trainer Jamey Thomas…new owner Myles McMahon and Troy Thomas)

Race 7: Plum Wild (Ed Moger Jr…Steve Moger)

Saturday

Race 2: Linfield (Jonathan Wong…Madden Racing and MJVET Stable)

Race 2: One Eyed Robin (Jack Steiner…Randy Marriott and Jack Steiner)

Race 4: Sound Judgement (Owner/Trainer Victor Trujillo)

Race 5: Seventh Wave (Reid France…Francis Lagattuta and Reid France)

Race 8: Arch Prince (Ed Moger Jr…Steve Moger)

Race 8: Premium Forest (Blaine D. Wright…Paula and Tracy Henline and Blaine Wright Racing)

Race 9: Eskimo Roses (Milton Pineda…Lizbeth Medina)

Sunday
Race 2: St. Annie’s Indy (Sammy Calvario,…Mary Tucker)

Race 10: Ocean Fury (Jesus Ramos…Jose C. Ramos)

FINISH LINES: In Race 9 last Saturday, River Rose and Many Roses competed against one another. Why is this noteworthy? Both geldings are full siblings, by Many Roses out of the Bertrando mare Heirloom Rose…The Steve Sherman trained Starlight Stroll, a sibling to Grade 3 winner and Grade 2 placed Sneaking Out, Grade 3 winner Grecian Fire and multiple minor stakes winner Been Studying Her, won her career debut in last Sunday’s eighth race. All four aforementioned siblings are out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Maddie’s Odyssey. Trainer Sherman and winning owner/breeder KMN Racing also campaigned the second-place finisher, Okoye. Both KMN runners were sired by the late Indian Evening…$2,060,144 “new money” was bet into the Golden Pick Six jackpot mandatory payout pool last Sunday. The Golden Pick Six jackpot pool begins anew on Thursday…Race 3 on Friday at Golden Gate is Leg E (the last leg) of the Stronach 5 wager this week…Happy birthday to longtime jockey valet Jay Frey, jockey David “DC” Lopez, and trainer Sherrie Monroe, all who celebrate their special day’s this week.

AYUSO OFF TO A GOOD START AT GOLDEN GATE

Jockey Armando Ayuso has quickly made a favorable impression amongst horsemen and Bay Area racing fans. The 26-year-old native of Panama recently shipped his tack to Golden Gate Fields and rode in a quartet of races last week. From those four races, Ayuso won a pair and hit the board with his two other mounts.

Last Saturday, Ayuso won the third race with Reina de Reyes, a 2-year-old trained by Leanna Ekstrom. The son of Animal Kingdom broke his maiden at the one-mile distance on turf. One day later, Ayuso guided Terrible Ted to a gate to wire score for veteran horseman John Martin in a six-furlong sprint on Tapeta. His two in-the-money finishes on Monday came for the Pablo De Jesus barn.

“I’m excited to be [at Golden Gate],” said Ayuso. “I’m going to work really, really hard to do the best I can. I am really thankful for all of the opportunities the trainers here have given me so far. At the end of the day, I’m going to do everything I can to be successful here.”

Ayuso learned to ride in Panama and began riding there as an apprentice. When he moved to America in 2012, he rode at tracks all over the country including Belmont Park, Gulfstream, Indiana Grand, Monmouth Park and Santa Anita. After taking some time off from riding in races, Ayuso galloped and worked horses for trainer Mark Glatt.

“It’s hard to get going at Santa Anita,” said Ayuso. “A couple of trainers here told me they would put me on some horses and I thought coming to Golden Gate would be a great opportunity. I really like it here; the people are nice and it’s a beautiful track.”

Ayuso is represented by fledgling agent Serjio Garcia. This week, Ayuso is booked on four mounts on Friday, two on Saturday and four more on Sunday.

BADILLA TRAINED PAIR CLASH IN FRIDAY FEATURE

Trainer Manny Badilla may hold the aces in Friday’s feature event, Race 2, an allowance for fillies and mares at one mile on Tapeta. The longtime Bay Area horseman saddles the top two morning line choices in the field, Sloane Garden and Never Be Enough, and feels good about both of their chances.

“Both of them can win,” said Badilla. “A dead heat would be fun!”

2-time stakes winner Sloane Garden, set as the 8-5 morning line favorite, won the Golden Poppy Stakes in June and the Luther Burbank Stakes in August. Although both aforementioned runs came on turf, Badilla is not concerned with the surface switch.

“Sloane Garden is doing great,” said Badilla. “She’s been working beautifully. All class. She’s already won twice on Tapeta.” 

This is true. Sloane Garden broke her maiden in a canter last year over the Tapeta and also won an allowance race on the aforesaid surface in the wintertime.

August 28^th allowance winner Never Be Enough is listed as the 9-5 second choice on the morning line and “should not be ignored,” according to Badilla. The daughter of Sir Percy has been steadily climbing up the class ladder and comes off a stellar run in which she defeated stakes placed and multiple allowance winning stablemate Ziarah.

“Never Be Enough is a nice mare,” said Badilla. “She’s also doing really well. It should be a good race.”

Regular rider Kyle Frey is back aboard Sloane Garden while Irving Orozco retains the mount on Never Be Enough.

Also entered in Race 2 on Friday: 2019 Miss American Stakes winner Blue Diva, stretch out sprinter Misirlou and longshot Tip Top Gal.

GIVE ME THE LUTE ROUTES, AMERICAN FARMER FACES OLDER IN SALTY SATURDAY ALLOWANCE

A strong 9-race program on Saturday is highlighted by Race 6, a second level allowance race that looks more like a stake on paper. The mile and a sixteenth turf route features two interesting prospects: track record holder Give Me the Lute and stakes winner American Farmer.

Give Me the Lute, trained by Andy Mathis, broke the track record sprinting five furlongs over firm turf on June 7. That day, he stopped the clock in 55.34 seconds, winning by seven lengths in an eye-popping performance.

Give Me the Lute is no stranger to routing. As a 3-year-old at Del Mar, he broke his maiden going two turns. His last route race, in a first level allowance at Del Mar immediately following the maiden win, resulted in a length loss while encountering traffic problems down the lane.

“I’ve always thought this horse would be a solid router,” said Mathis. “He’s doing really good. I have a lot of confidence he can route. He’s in a tough race with good horses…but he’s a good horse himself.”

American Farmer, in the meantime, is a Steve Sherman trainee last seen finishing off-the-board in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby. Winner of the Robert Dupret Derby for 3-year-olds in August, American Farmer sports class and comes off a run in which he earned a career high Beyer speed figure (83).

“He’s training forwardly,” said Sherman. “He runs against solid, older horses on Saturday-that’s never easy-but we’re running him to see where he fits for the rest of the year and heading into 2021.”

Recent first level allowance winner Fuente is campaigned by trainer Manny Badilla. Obviously, the competition is stern.

“This race came up real tough,” said Badilla. “There are some really nice horses in there. Fuente ran better than ever last time out and this is the next logical spot for a horse like him. We’re giving it a spin.”

Stakes placed Builder, Stakes winner More Power to Him and allowance winners Harmon and Manila Mischief complete the field of seven. Builder possesses an interesting story line, having just been claimed for $62,500 by trainer Ed Moger Jr. and his brother, owner Steve Moger.

Note that first post on Saturday afternoon is 1:45 PM PT. Friday and Sunday have a scheduled first post of 1:15 PM PT.

GOLDEN PICK SIX JACKPOT POOL CLIMBS TO $287,833 HEADING INTO FRIDAY/MANDATORY PAYOUTS ON SUNDAY

Heading into Friday afternoon’s 8-race program, the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager carryover has increased to a whopping $287,833. If the jackpot pool were to carry two more days, then a large mandatory payout pool would be in play for Sunday, with a projected 7-figure new money pool to be added into the pot on Closing Day Sunday. Along with the mandatory payout in the Golden Pick Six, Sunday also offers mandatory payouts in both Pick 5 wagers and the Rolling Super High Five.

Closing Day Sunday, which wraps up the current summer meet, is a 10-race program. The Fall meet, which begins next Thursday, October 22 and runs through Sunday, December 13, features 10 stakes races that will be highlighted in next week’s News and Notes.  

CLAIMS REPORT

Below are the list of claims made last week:

THURSDAY

Race 5: And Counting (New Owner/Trainer Jesus Uranga)

Race 5: Super Bunny (New Owner/Trainer Andrew Nguyen)

FRIDAY

Race 1: Nina En Fuego (New Trainer Isidro Tamayo…New Owner Aaron Pewtherer)

Race 6: Trina (Victor Trujillo…Isidro Ruvalcalba and Victor Trujillo)

Race 7: Mybluebell (Sammy Calvario…Mary Tucker)

SATURDAY

Race 1: Surprise Fashion (Angelo Tekos Jr…Steve Dietrich)

Race 4: Aries (Aggie Ordonez…McLean Racing Stables)

Race 4: Regal Lady (Sammy Calvario…David Angel Cota and Sammy Calvario)

Race 6: Splashing (John Martin…Hat Trick Racing)

Race 8: Pour On The Cole (Steve Specht…The Robert McCabe Family Trust)

SUNDAY

Race 1: Commissioness (Milton Pineda…Lizbeth Medina)

Race 1: Tibby Gee (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Race 2: All American Hero (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables and Madden Racing)

Race 7: Roman Rush (Victor Trujillo…Carrol Stubbs)

Race 9: Soberano (Andy Mathis…Michael Jawl and Andy Mathis)

MONDAY

Race 3: Pacific Strike (Angelo Tekos Jr…Michael Conway)

FINISH LINES: With 3 days left to go at the current summer meet, Kyle Frey leads all riders in wins with 40 victories, 15 more than apprentice Santos Rivera…Jonathan Wong sit atop the trainer standings with 35 trips to the winner’s circle. Isidro Tamayo holds the second spot with 21 wins…Shot of a Lifetime led every step of the way in Race 8 on Sunday, a 15-furlong turf marathon for starter allowance horses. Cristobal Herrera guided the California-bred son of Many Rivers to victory for trainer Ellen Jackson…Nardini put up a respectable showing at Santa Anita for trainer Andy Mathis last Sunday, finishing third in the $100,000 California Distaff Stakes for California-bred turf sprinters…Camilla Urso Stakes winner Tomlin finished fourth in a stakes-caliber allowance race at Keeneland on Sunday. The daughter of Distorted Humor is currently under the care of trainer Mike Stidham…Grade I winning mare Ollie’s Candy, who began her career at Golden Gate in 2018, will make her next and final start in the November 7 Breeders Cup Distaff at Keeneland before starting her new career as a broodmare. Ollie’s Candy is trained by John Sadler…Along with the large jackpot carryover on Friday, there is a $4,798 carryover in the Rolling Super High Five pool in the first race in which the aforesaid wager is offered.

SLAM DUNK SERMON THE ONE TO BEAT IN FRIDAY FEATURE

We save the best for last on Friday afternoon, with the feature race on the program set as the nightcap: Race 8. The six-furlong allowance drew a field of nine, led by consistent racer Slam Dunk Sermon. Slam Dunk Sermon, set as the 3-1 morning line favorite, comes off a convincing two and a half-length victory at this restricted 3-year-old allowance level on September 18. As a California-bred, he is eligible to win at the aforementioned condition once more before he must be put up for the “optional” $50,000 tag.

“He worked well on Sunday morning,” said trainer Steve Specht. “You know, he’s always shown us he could run. As a 2-year-old, he hadn’t really grown into his body yet and we decided to wait until he was 3 to race him. In his first start, the rider just never got after him. In his second start, he went off at 57-1 and won by six lengths. I really wasn’t surprised.”

Even so, it’s clear that Specht has done a fine job with developing Slam Dunk Sermon into the racehorse he is today. After breaking his maiden for a $12,500 tag, Specht protected him from being claimed in four straight starter allowance races, two of which he won. He ran fourth behind two next-out winners in a first level allowance for older foes two starts ago and, most recently, hit the wire first in the September 18 allowance restricted to 3-year-olds.

“He’s not necessarily the flashiest horse out there but he tries hard every race,” said Specht. “He does the best he can all the time. He’s a real honest horse.”

Other main contenders in the Friday finale include Southern California invader Foothill, recent starter allowance winner Ready for a Fight, Pleasanton allowance winner Take Me for a Spin and class dropper Darnquick. Race 8 has an approximate post time of

BADILLA CONFIDENT SCHERZO CAN HANDLE PROVEN WINNERS

Well-regarded filly Scherzo will likely get play in Race 5 on Saturday, a one-mile first level allowance for 3-year-old fillies. The race attracted six entrants, which includes likely favorite Mylittlerunaway and the Jonathan Wong trained pair of Malibu Jane and Reiwa.

“We’ve always loved her,” said Scherzo’s trainer, Manny Badilla. “She came out of her maiden win in good shape and has been working great leading up to this race. Anne [Sanguinetti] worked her on Sunday morning [5 furlongs in 59 and 1] and she hopped off and said, ‘This is a nice filly.'”

Scherzo, a Great Britain bred by champion European turf router Golden Horn, started her career overseas with trainer Richard Fahey. In two springtime races over synthetic surfaces there, she finished second.

In July, Scherzo was put up for sale at the popular Tattersales auction in Europe. With an appealing physical and a hopeful race record, Scherzo was popular during the bidding process and eventually sold for $42,373 to owners Ron Charles and Sam Gordon. Charles and Gordon immediately shipped their new acquisition to Badilla, who trained Scherzo for about a month before entering her in a race. She kicked off her United States racing career with a smashing two and a half-length victory in Race 7 on September 17, a one mile and a sixteenth turf route against nine older fillies and mare maidens. She returns to the grass on Saturday.

“Everyone at the barn is excited to see how she’ll run against allowance company,” said Badilla. “I’ll tell ya…this filly is a runner. She’s up for the task.”

CARTOONIST LOVES HIS JOB AT AGE 8

In Race 7 last Thursday, 8-year-old Cartoonist picked up his fourth win from ten starts this year after a gutsy score against mid-level claimers sprinting five furlongs on turf. Cartoonist, a winner of 15 races with 10 seconds, six thirds and career earnings of $307,916, is a gelding by Comic Strip. Currently trained by Mike Lenzini and owned by Gary Marrone, he was bred by prominent California breeders Dr. and Mrs. William T. Gray in “the Golden State.”

“I’m really proud of him,” said Lenzini. “He’s all racehorse. If you let him do his thing, he’ll give you everything he’s got.”

Lenzini was not shy of sharing the “secret” to Cartoonist’s success.

“Every horse has a personality,” said Lenzini with a smile. “Cartoonist…you just have to let him do what he wants to do. That’s it. It’s best to stay out of his way. If you take a hold of him or fight him he won’t give you anything. In the barn he’s like a pet. He is super nice, loves carrots and is so easygoing. But when he gets on the track, he wants to do things his way.”

Lenzini was quick to praise jockey Erick Lopez, who has been aboard Cartoonist for his past two trips to the winner’s circle.

“Erick has done a good job with him,” said Lenzini. “He listens to instructions. I told Erick, ‘This horse will put you on the lead. Let him break and don’t get in his way.’ Cartoonist is a very quick horse and if he wants the lead, he’ll go and get it.”

Lenzini said that, assuming all goes to plan, Cartoonist would race next in three or four weeks.

CLAIMS REPORT

Below are all horses claimed last week, and their next connections.

Thursday

Race 1: Incredible Luck (Trainer Isidro Tamayo…Owners Zach Morgan and John Tipton)

Race 2: One Eyed Robin (Jonathan Wong…Johnny Taboada)

Race 3: Top of the Game (Isidro Tamayo…Zach Morgan and John Tipton)

Saturday

Race 1: Ca Dreamer (Owner/Trainer Jesus Uranga)

Race 1: Regal Lady (Owner/Trainer Tim Bellasis)

Race 1: The Pet (Salvador Naranjo…Gracia Naranjo)

Race 3: Cartellate (Doug O’Neill…Joseph Besecker)

Sunday

Race 9: Baby Frankie (Blaine Wright…Seamist Racing LLC)

Race 9: Nowhere Man (Cliff DeLima…Barbara DeLima)

FINISH LINES: With a couple weeks left to go at the current summer meet, Kyle Frey paves the way in the jockey standings with 35 wins, 10 more than Santos Rivera (25) and 15 ahead of  Frank Alvarado (20)…In the trainer standings, Jonathan Wong leads with 29 trips to the winners circle. Isidro Tamayo (19) and Steve Sherman (13) crack the top 3…Jockey Ricky Gonzalez picked up his first ever Southern California stakes victory with 2-year-old colt Ebeko in the $100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday…2020 Alcatraz Stakes runner up Ajourneytofreedom, now in the barn of Mike Maker after being claimed for $80,000, finished fourth in the $250,000 Belmont Derby on turf at Belmont Park last Saturday…$233,915 sits in the Golden Pick 6 jackpot pool heading into Thursday’s 7-race card…Race 3 on Friday is Leg E (the last leg) of the Stronach 5 wager…Happy birthday to trainer Bob Hess Sr, apprentice jockey Jose Rodriguez and jockey agent Ramon Silva, all who turn one year older this week.

HOWEY REFLECTS ON SPECTACULAR FIVE WIN DAY

Trainer Quinn Howey was all smiles Wednesday morning, three days removed from a five-win Sunday at Golden Gate Fields. Howey won Races 4,7,8,9 and 10 on the program and swept the Late Pick 4 sequence, a feat that can only be illustrated as…well…we’ll let Quinn tell us.

“Unbelievable,” was how Howey described it.

Howey’s day started In Race 4, where 2-year-old filly Lawyer Proof picked up a maiden victory as the favorite in a field of 8. 2-year-old filly Sweet Kaela also made her first career trip to the winner’s circle after Race 7, a maiden special weight main track sprint, securing a double for the Howey barn.

In Race 8, Hong Kong Cowboy successfully routed under apprentice Juan Espinoza, having not raced two-turns since a double-digit length loss last year. He went off as the highest price of any Howey trainee that day: 10-1.

“When Hong Kong [Cowboy] won, that’s when I knew things were getting ridiculous,” joked Howey. “He ran unbelievable, actually. You don’t see horses at the lower level, non-2-lifetime conditions go as fast as he did early, only to kick on again at the eighth pole. I’m really proud of him. He ran great.”

Race 9 was “the most exciting” win for Howey, as 5-year-old gelding Navy Armed Guard scored a second level allowance victory at one mile on Tapeta. The final clocking of 1:35.69 seconds resulted in a new track record for the eight-furlong distance.

“I’ve never trained a horse that’s broken a track record before, so that’s pretty cool,” said Howey. “We purchased Navy Armed Guard for $60,000 at this year’s Fasig Tipton Sale. He ran a really good second at Del Mar in his first start for us. He came back and ran just as well, if not better, in the Rolling Green Stakes [on September 7]. He finished third to two really nice horses [Camino Del Paraiso and Kiwi’s Dream.]

Howey said he was very confident that Navy Armed Guard would run a winning race on Sunday.

“He was going up against easier company this time around,” said Howey. “I thought putting him back on a synthetic surface would be a good thing for him, too, because he won multiple times over synthetics when he raced on the East Coast. Personally, I think he’s at his very best over a synthetic surface.”

Navy Armed Guard is “under consideration” for the Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap in November, but Howey mentioned that he wants to see how Navy Armed Guard trains in the coming weeks before making a final decision on where to run next.

To put the icing on the cake of an incredible day, Square Peggy won the nightcap, a 20k claimer for 5-furlong turf sprinters. Although ecstatic after the races, Howey did not have much time to celebrate.

“I had to ship a few horses to a farm on Sunday evening,” said Howey with a smile. “Once we won the fifth race of the day, I was getting those horses loaded up and on a van north.”

Howey was quick to mention that, although the chances of him winning five races in one day again are slim, he enjoyed every minute of it.

“When the races are published every entry day, I always take a look at each race and see how ‘live’ our horses are. I genuinely thought all five horses entered for Sunday had really good chances to win, but you never expect to win five races in a day. It was fun.”

NO LONGER SILENT BREAKS FIVE AND A HALF FURLONG TRACK RECORD

3-year-old gelding No Longer Silent made his second start off a layoff in Saturday’s feature race, a second level allowance on Tapeta, and sizzled through the five and a half furlongs in a blistering fast 1:02.13 seconds. With the final time set and stone, the Tommy Town Thoroughbreds homebred broke the track record for the aforementioned distance by over a quarter of a second. Coincidentally, the horse who previously held the record was Passionate Reward, who ran second in Saturday’s race.  

“We were thrilled,” said trainer Jonathan Wong, when reflecting on the track-record setting run by No Longer Silent. “Last year, we really liked him as a 2-year-old. We gelded him after his last start as a 2-year-old, gave him some time off and since then he’s come back bigger, faster… stronger. He’s really grown up from 2 to 3.”

Wong reported that No Longer Silent exited the race in good shape and would be considered for California-bred stake races in Southern California.

“The only concern would be whether he will be as effective on dirt as he is on Tapeta,” said Wong. “I don’t think it will be a problem, though. He’s got a lot of talent.”

Wong also noted that Windy City Red, who finished third in last week’s Speakeasy Stakes for 2-year-old turf sprinters at Santa Anita, is being considered for the Grade I Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on Friday, November 6 at Keeneland.

“We’re still weighing our options, but the owners want to take a shot [at the Breeders Cup],” said Wong. “Our goal is to get into the Breeders Cup. He ran amazing the other day. If we don’t get into the Breeders Cup, then we’ll run in a 2-year-old stake at the [Golden Gate] Fall meet.”

Windy City Red broke his maiden at Golden Gate on September 5 and has always been well meant.

“He’s one of the best 2-year-olds I’ve ever trained,” said Wong. “[Bloodstock agent] Nick Hines bought him at the OBS sale earlier this year and ever since he started training at our barn at Golden Gate, it was apparent that he had a lot of ability. He has a lot of natural speed and a good way of going.”

I’M SO ANNA VS. TACOFLAVOREDKISSES IN TWO-TURN ALLOWANCE FEATURE ON FRIDAY

7-5 morning line favorite Tacoflavoredkisses and 8-5 second choice I’m So Anna square off in Race 5 on Friday afternoon, an allowance for 2-year-olds on Tapeta. A field of six entered the one-mile affair, with three colts and three fillies making the entry box.

Tacoflavoredkisses, a son of Distorted Humor trained by Southern California conditioner Simon Callaghan, enters the Golden Gate Friday feature off a third-place finish in the I’m Smokin Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings at Del Mar. He broke his maiden at the aforementioned seaside oval in August and makes his first start at a route of ground.

I’m So Anna, a daughter of speedy sprinter Fast Anna, went off at even money in the Generous Portion Stakes at Del Mar for California-bred 2-year-old fillies. She sat off the pace early before rallying for second in the final furlong. I’m So Anna races under the care of local horseman Steve Sherman.

“She ran pretty well at Del Mar, but I don’t think she loved the track,” said Sherman. “The surface at Del Mar is a little bit deeper and she labored late in her works there. She got a little sick before Del Mar, too, so we missed a little bit of training time with her. She’s doing really well right now, though, and training great over the Tapeta [at Golden Gate].”

Sherman is interested to see how his star 2-year-old filly will perform going two turns.

“Her pedigree doesn’t suggest she wants to run too far but she trains like she’ll be able to get the mile,” said Sherman. “She has a powerful, long stride and always gallops out really well. I want to see how she does routing so I’ll know what options we have heading into the fall meet and her 3-year-old season.”

CLAIMS REPORT

Below are all horses claimed last week and their new connections.

Thursday

Race 1: My Sunshine (New Trainer Dan Franko…New Owner Dan Franko)

Race 4: Takes a Village (Reed Saldana…Johnny Taboada)

Race 7: Kincaid Park (Tim Bellasis…Bellasis, O’Gorman, O’Gorman and Tschanz)

Race 7: Satanta (Reid France…France and Lagattuta)

Friday

Race 2: Senorita Estrella (Sammy Calvario…Mary Tucker)

Race 4: Mon Camo (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Race 7: Lous Tiznow (Mike Lenzini…John Parker)

Saturday

Race 2: Cajun Bettor (Bill McLean…McLean and Naidoo)

Race 2: Unstoppable Guy (Marcia Stortz…Tirado and Tirado)

Race 5: Whenducksfly (Salvador Naranjo…Silvia Soto)

Race 7: Tick Tock (Marcia Stortz…Stan Spano and Jorge Zuniga

Sunday

Race 2: Lucky Antares (Isidro Tamayo…Johnny Taboada)

Race 3: Pulpit Singer (Gary Greiner…Marsha Rogers)

Race 9: Builder (Ed Moger Jr…Steve Moger)

Race 10: Dr Wysong (Isidro Tamayo…Sergio Salguero)

FINISH LINES: Congratulations to Winter/Spring meet leading jockey Juan Hernandez, who won his first Grade I race last Saturday with 4-year-old filly Mucho Unusual in the $300,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita. Hernandez also won the Eddie D. Stakes on Friday aboard Big Runnuer…Ricky Gonzalez won a stake of his own on Saturday afternoon at “The Great Race Place” with speedy sprinter Bulletproof One in the $75,000 Unzip Me Stakes on turf…Journeyman jockey Armando Ayuso has shipped his tack to Golden Gate Fields and is represented by agent Serjio Garcia…Stakes winner Indian Peak is back in the Quinn Howey barn after taking 45 days off. “We just decided to give him some time off; he had been training since we broke him as a 2-year-old. He’s doing well,” said Howey…$199,479 is the carryover amount heading into Thursday’s Golden Pick Six jackpot wager…Leg C of the Stronach 5 goes as Race 3 at Golden Gate on Friday…Happy birthday to trainer Matthew Troy and jockey Hugo Herrera, both who celebrate birthday’s this week.

CORSICAN SCORES IMPRESSIVE MAIDEN WIN FIRST TIME OUT

World renowned actor Will Rogers once said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Last Sunday afternoon at Golden Gate Fields, first time starter Corsican certainly made a favorable impression amongst race watchers, scoring a runaway maiden victory to kick off his career.

Sent off at odds of 8-1 in Race 4, a 5-furlong turf dash for California-bred 2-year-olds, the son of Square Eddie broke sharply from the gate and stalked the pace before pouncing on the early leaders in midstretch. He drew away from his competition in the final sixteenth of a mile and hit the wire 3 and a half lengths clear of second-place finisher Lastbesthope. Corsican was ridden to victory by apprentice Santos Rivera.

Corsican, out of the War Front mare Epistemology, RNA’d as a yearling for $2,000 at the 2019 Fasig Titpon Sale at Santa Anita. He was shortly thereafter purchased by owners D. Wayne Baker and Kate Cabello. Baker, who also trains Corsican, was understandably thrilled with his 2-year-old’s effort on Sunday.

“[Corsican] was training really well leading up to the race,” said Baker. “I worked him with a number of older horses and he outworked them every time. He does everything so easily. He’s a little guy but he can run. I think he can improve off this race, too.”

Baker was noncommittal when naming a potential second start for Corsican but noted that the bay gelding came out of his afternoon debut in great shape.

GONZALEZ WINS WITH TWO “OFF THE CLAIM” ENTRANTS ON SUNDAY  

Trainer Reina Gonzalez was all smiles Wednesday morning, days removed from a pair of victories on last Sunday’s 11-race program. Both winners, claimed by Gonzalez earlier in the year, have shown a profit for their current stable.

In Race 5, 7-5 favorite Silent Movies easily defeated starter allowance company in a five and a half furlong main-track sprint. Silent Movies has won a duo of races and earned $25,160 since being claimed by Gonzalez and co-owners Cheryl Doyle and Matthew Gutierrez for $5,000 on March 21.

“The day we claimed [Silent Movies], my owners and I were looking at another horse in the same race,” said Gonzalez. “The horse we had our eye on scratched. One of the owners said to me [after the scratch that morning], ‘Why don’t you take a look at Silent Movies? He looks like a pretty nice sprinter.’ Turns out, he had been sprinting really well on the Tapeta for Jonathan [Wong]. It’s not easy to improve horses whenever you claim them from a top barn but we decided to take a chance. It’s a gamble…but any claim is a gamble.”

30 minutes after Silent Movies took his most recent winners circle photo, Jammers Justice pulled off a 35-1 upset in Race 6, a one-mile starter allowance on turf for Gonzalez, Doyle and Gutierrez. In July, Jammers Justice was claimed for $4,000 by the aforementioned outfit.

When asked why Gonzalez and her crew claimed Jammers Justice, the answer was precise.  

“I wanted to try [Jammers Justice] going a route of ground because I thought he traveled like a horse who wanted more distance,” said Gonzalez. “He also has a little turf pedigree, so I thought he might like the grass. I noticed him galloping over the summertime and loved the way he moved. I wanted to place a little bet on him, actually, the race before I claimed him. That day, he got in a lot of trouble and ran third. In his next start, I saw he was in for a $4,000 tag and figured he was worth taking a chance with.”

Gonzalez was not surprised that Jammers Justice scored at a big price last Sunday.

“He worked tremendously well before the race,” said Gonzalez. “He drilled a half mile the other day and galloped out 5 furlongs in a minute and change. And he was just cruising. Last month, he made his first start for us in another starter allowance race. I thought he finished a much better than looked third behind two really nice horses. This [past Sunday’s race] was an easier spot, no doubt.”

The Reina Gonzalez Daily Double, Races 5 and 6, returned $170.80 for a $2 investment. Not bad.

GIVE ME THE LUTE READY TO ROLL IN STAKES DEBUT AT SANTA ANITA

4-year-old gelding Give Me the Lute makes his stakes debut for trainer Andy Mathis and owners Rod and Wendy Hogan in Race 7 on Friday at Santa Anita, the Grade 2 Eddie D. Stakes at 5-and-a-half-furlongs on turf. Give Me the Lute drew post position 2 of 7, with Drayden Van Dyke set to ride, and is 12-1 on Jon White’s morning line.

“[Give Me the Lute] is doing well,” said Mathis. “He’s worked twice since his last start and looked good both times. He’s ready.”

Give Me the Lute was claimed by Mathis and the Hogan family for $80,000 as a 3-year-old in 2019 at Del Mar. That day, he routed and suffered a traffic-filled trip, finishing fourth while probably best.

In two Golden Gate turf sprint this year, Give Me the Lute impressed. On June 7, the son of Boisterous won by 7 widening lengths and sizzled the 5 furlongs in 55 and 1/5 seconds, finishing .02 seconds off the track record. He took two and a half months off after the breathtaking effort and returned on August 22 to defeat allowance foes while zipping through a similarly fast time as his prior start, completing five panels in 56 seconds flat.  

“This horse has been on the lead in his past two starts but doesn’t necessarily need the front,” said Mathis. “He obviously has a lot of early speed, but he won’t go super-fast unless you ask him to go super-fast. He’ll put himself in the race because he has natural, tactical speed, but if [Drayden] opts to relax right off a pacesetter, that wouldn’t be a problem at all. He is versatile.”

Mathis does not believe the extra half furlong in the Eddie D. will be an issue.

“He broke his maiden going one mile and won easily that day,” said Mathis. “I’ve always thought he’d be a really nice miler. At some point we might try him at two turns again. For now, we’ll give him a chance in this stake and see what happens.”

$1 GOLDEN HOUR LATE PICK 4 BEGINNING FRIDAY

Beginning on Santa Anita’s Opening Day Friday card, the $1 Golden Hour Late Pick 4 commences for horseplayers throughout North America.

The Golden Hour Late Pick 4 wager, a $1 minimum bet featuring a low 15% takeout, links the last two races from Santa Anita and the last two races from Golden Gate each race day. For example, the first leg of the wager on Friday goes as Race 9 at Santa Anita. Golden Gate’s 8th race is the second leg, followed by Race 10 (the nightcap) at Santa Anita. The 9^th race finale at Golden Gate ends Friday’s Northern California race card and the Golden Hour Late Pick 4 bet.

The $5 Golden Hour Double, a Daily Double wager featuring the last race at Santa Anita and the last race at Golden Gate, also remains on the wagering menu. Both “Golden Hour” wagers are hosted by Santa Anita.

CLAIMS REPORT

Below are the list of claims from last week:

Thursday

Race 1: Incredibly Lucky (New trainer Sam Calvario…New owners Johnny and Marcel Taboada)

Friday

Race 1: City Champ (Tim McCanna…Grant Alvernaz, Steven Ribeiro and Tim McCanna)

Race 2: Final Demand (Isidro Tamayo…William L. Smith)

Race 10: Kaline (Bill McLean…Fred Desimone, Gary Smith and Bill McLean)

Saturday

Race 1: Maxinamillion (John Martin…Hat Trick Racing and Jose Valle)

Race 1: Mr. Magico (Isidro Tamayo…Michael J. Wickman)

Race 5: Pour On the Cole (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Race 9: Admirably (Victor Trujillo…Frank Aufdermaur and Wayne Swisher)

Sunday

Race 3: Two Bears (Jeff Metz…Peter Callella)

Race 11: Aigle (Owner/Trainer Jose Bautista)

Race 11: Invertigo (Isidro Tamayo…Johnny and Marcel Taboada)

FINISH LINES: Trainer Blaine Wright campaigns Mucho Amor in Friday’s Grade 3 Chillingworth Stakes at Santa Anita. Juan Hernandez rides…Happy birthday to stall manager Carrie Fawcett and trainer Andreas Psarras, both who celebrate their special day later this week…Bulletproof One and jockey Ricky Gonzalez team up in the opener on Saturday at Santa Anita, the $75,000 Unzip Me Stakes for 3-year-old fillies…$153,038 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager on Thursday…Leg E (the final leg) of the Stronach 5 wager goes as Race 3 on Friday… Trainer Manny Badilla saddled a pair of impressive maiden winners last week. On Friday, European import Scherzo made her first in the United States and coasted to an eye-catching victory against fillies and mare routers on turf. “She’s really nice,” said Badilla. “She might be the next Sloane Garden!” One day later, Lotsa Pepper blasted out of the gate and never looked back, scoring a front running triumph against turf sprinters. “She’s fast,” said Badilla. “I guess it’s not a secret anymore.”

MISIRLOU FACES OLDER IN ALLOWANCE FEATURE ON THURSDAY

3-year-old filly Misirlou drew the outside post in Race 6 on Thursday afternoon, an allowance for filly and mare sprinters at five and one-half furlongs. Misirlou, trained by Steve Specht, has always been highly thought of.  

“She’s always shown that she had ability,” said Specht. “The only time she ran poorly was two starts ago when she broke through the gate before the race. Normally, horses don’t fare too well right after they do that. In every other race she’s run, she’s been right there.”  

Indeed. Misirlou sports a consistent record of 4 wins, 1 second and 1 third place finish from 7 lifetime starts. Misirlou will be ridden by her regular jockey, Frank Alvarado, who was aboard last time out when the California-bred daughter of Slew’s Tiznow won a second level allowance while earning a strong 87 Beyer speed figure.

The morning line favorite in Race 6, multiple stakes winner Mother of Dragons, drew the inside post in the field of six. She is likely to scratch, however, reducing the field to a quintette. Misirlou, with the aforementioned scratch in mind, will likely inherit favoritism come post time.

“She has tactical speed,” said Specht. “I’m expecting her to stalk the pace again. She likes this track. She’ll be tough if she can run back to her last race.”

Morning Cynn has shown an affinity for the Golden Gate Tapeta main track and will likely get bet, as will recent first level allowance winner Myangelcindy. Gotham Desire and Tip Top Gal, both allowance winners themselves, round out the group.

3-YEAR-OLD ALLOWANCE SPRINT ONE OF 10 RACES ON STRONG FRIDAY CARD

A great week of racing is expected at Golden Gate, with large field sizes and quality filled races spread throughout the week. This is certainly the theme on Friday. The marquee event on the program, a 6-furlong allowance for 3-year-olds on Tapeta, drew a field of 9 and goes as Race 6 on a 10-race program.

The morning line favorite, 3-1 shot Prince de Prince, was last seen finishing a nose behind stakes placed No Longer Silent at this condition on August 20. According to trainer Jack Steiner, the California-bred by Fullbridled comes into this race with better form than ever before.

“There was a point in the spring where he dropped off a little bit,” said Steiner. “We thought maybe he wasn’t quite good enough to win an allowance race. We put him in for a $25,000 tag at Pleasanton, and, even though he didn’t win, he ran a lot better than he had in recent starts. I think that race really instilled confidence in him. Sometimes, all horses need is a confidence booster to get them back into better form. Since then, he’s been running really well at allowance conditions. He hasn’t won but he’s gotten close. Hopefully Friday is the day he breaks through.”

Let’s Rejoyce, a Tommy Town Thoroughbreds homebred, is the 7-2 morning line second choice. He was last seen finishing off the board in the Real Good Deal Stakes at Del Mar and returns to Northern California, where he scored both career victories against maidens and allowance company, respectively.

“He’s doing just fine,” said trainer Jonathan Wong. “The class relief [out of stakes company] should help him. He is versatile. He might be at his best if he’s able to make the front, but he doesn’t need the lead. He has natural speed and, if he breaks well, will put himself in the race early.”

Little Cents, from the Bill McLean barn, also merits respect. The Kentucky bred son of Goldencents makes his 3-year-old debut after taking time off for the first part of 2020. He had a respectable campaign last year as a 2-year-old, winning an allowance race and finishing second, beaten by less than a quarter of a length, in two other races at the aforementioned allowance level.

“He broke his maiden at Del Mar for a tag and tried hard for us all fall,” said McLean. “At the end of the year, we wanted to give him a little rest.”

“He makes his first start as a gelding on Friday,” noted McLean. “He hasn’t really acted any different but his workouts leading up to this race have been good. Sometimes horses get better from 2 to 3 as they mature mentally and physically, so we’re hoping to see that. He’s a nice horse.'”

Foothill, a Southern California invader who broke his maiden on turf at Del Mar in July for trainer Sean McCarthy, possesses appeal, as does Slam Dunk Sermon, who ran fourth against older Golden Gate allowance foes and drops to this restricted 3-year-old race.

“Slam Dunk Sermon always tries hard,” said the latter gelding’s trainer, Steve Specht. “He’s not too flashy but goes out there and does the best he can every time.”

Eustace ships North after a better than looked runner up finish against a salty group of high-level claimers at Del Mar for trainer Ed Moger Jr.,who also saddles recent maiden special weight winner Hawk Hill. Eustace, who broke his maiden at Golden Gate, will get more play, at 9-2 on the morning line. Hawk Hill is listed at 12-1. Exclusive Speaker and Wine and Whisky complete the field of 9.

87 horses are entered on the Friday program, averaging out to 8.7 horses per race. A maiden special weight on turf for 3-year-old fillies, Race 7, kicks off the Late Pick 4 sequence, while a first level allowance for filly and mare sprinters goes as the 8^th on the card.

Saturday’s card, with 11 races, drew 94 runners. A pair of maiden turf sprints-with full fields-catches the eye on the Saturday overnight. A first level allowance, Race 7, begins the well backed Late Pick 5 wager, and 4 of the 11 races will be run on projected firm turf.

10 or 11 more races will be run on Sunday, with entries to be taken, drawn and released on Thursday.

FINISH LINES: 2020 El Camino Real Derby winner Azul Coast is listed as “probable” for the mile and a half, $100,000 Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita on Sunday, September 27…Multiple stakes winner Bettor Trip Nick is back on the worktab for trainer Bill Delia after taking a brief vacation this summer. The California-bred gelding worked 3 furlongs on Tuesday morning in 37.60 seconds…Multiple Golden Gate winner and stakes placed ridgling Daddysprize has been retired, per trainer Tim McCanna, and will become a stallion in Washington State. “He’s happy,” said McCanna. “I’m going to breed him to a few of my mares to get him started.” Daddysprize, by Scat Daddy, is out of the stakes winning mare YoutheprizeandI...Race 3 on Friday is Leg E (the last leg) of the Stronach 5 wager…$88,169 is your carryover amount for the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager on Thursday while the Rolling Super High Five has a carryover of $2,075…Congratulations to jockey Kyle Frey and his partner Miya on the birth of their daughter Skylar Sakura Lee Frey last Friday morning. Frey leads all jockeys at the current summer meet with 22 wins, 9 more than seven-pound apprentice Santos Rivera.

GOLDEN GATE & SANTA ANITA TO PARTNER ON NEW LOW-TAKEOUT ‘GOLDEN HOUR LATE PICK 4’ BEGINNING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

ONE DOLLAR MINIMUM WAGER WILL FEATURE LOW 15 PERCENT TAKEOUT

                Berkeley, Calif. (Sept. 15, 2020)–Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita Park have announced they will partner on a brand new low takeout “Golden Hour Late Pick 4,” effective Friday, September 25, the opening day of Santa Anita’s Autumn Meet.

                The wager, which features a one dollar minimum and a low takeout of 15 percent, will be comprised of the last two races at both Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita Park each racing day and will complement the successful “Golden Hour Late Double,” which was instituted by the two tracks this past winter.

                The “Golden Hour Late Pick 4” will begin with Santa Anita’s second to last race for Leg One, then go to Golden Gate for Leg Two, back to Santa Anita for Leg Three end up each day at Golden Gate with Leg Four, which will be the last race on their program.

                “We’ve had a very encouraging response to the ‘Golden Hour Double’ and believe our customers will respond well to this new low takeout wager,” said Santa Anita’s Aidan Butler, Executive Director, CA Racing Operations, for The Stronach Group.  “We’ve heard feedback from many of our players asking for this type of bet–one that provides a player friendly new wager with a one dollar minimum, capitalizing on the larger competitive fields at the end of the card.

“This is a fun new addition to our betting menu and will drive extra attention to both of our California tracks as the racing action across the country is winding down each day.”

                Summer racing at Golden Gate Fields will continue through Sunday, October 4 with a 1:15 p.m. daily post time.  For the latest information about the season, please visit goldengatefields.com.