Berkeley, Calif. (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)- Golden Gate Fields will offer guaranteed pools in the Late Pick 5 and Late Pick 4 wagers throughout the racing week of Friday, April 28 through Sunday, April 30. The Late Pick 5 consists of the last five races on each card while the Late Pick 4 is comprised of the last four races on the card. Both wagers are 50-cent minimum plays.

         On Gold Rush Weekend Saturday, April 29, the Late Pick 5 sequence will have a guaranteed pool of $150,000. The Late Pick 4 pool on Saturday is guaranteed at $200,000. A half dozen stakes races highlight the Saturday program, including the $250,000 Grade 3 San Francisco Mile and the $100,000 California Derby.

          On Friday, April 28 and Sunday, April 30, both the Late Pick 5 and Late Pick 4 pools will have guaranteed pools of $100,000. Two stakes races, the Silky Sullivan and Campanile for California-breds on turf, are the co-featured events on Gold Rush Weekend Sunday.

           9 races made the Friday overnight. First post is 1:15 PM. Entries for Saturday will be drawn on Wednesday and Sunday entries will be assembled on Thursday. Post times for Saturday and Sunday will be published shortly after entries are compiled and finalized.

Berkeley, Calif. (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)-Golden Gate Fields, 1/ST and Xpressbet are excited to present the inaugural Gold Rush Challenge Handicapping Contest on Saturday, April 29, 2023. The Gold Rush Challenge, a live money tournament featuring all races at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, April 29, offers multiple top finishers a free seat at the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) on March 15-17, 2024. With the NHC berth, hotel accommodations and airfare will also be provided.

         The Golden Gate Saturday, April 29 card is the first of two days of Gold Rush Weekend, the biggest racing weekend every year in Northern California. Six stakes highlight the April 29 card, including the $250,000 Grade 3 San Francisco Mile and $100,000 California Derby.

           Gold Rush Challenge participants can play the tournament through three different locations: on track at Golden Gate Fields, on site at Santa Anita, or digitally via the player’s Xpressbet account.

             Players who participate at Golden Gate are eligible to receive on-track bonuses for excellent play. The top finishing player on site at Golden Gate will receive a $2,500 bonus while the second highest finishing player on site at Golden Gate will receive a $1,000 bonus. Those who wish to play the Gold Rush Challenge at Golden Gate or Santa Anita can register with the link: https://cloud.experience.santaanita.com/tournament#_ga=2.27275135.212642539.1682378617-1262996117.1682378617

        Those who wish to participate via Xpressbet must have an Xpressbet account with a minimum account balance of $1,000. Online registration for players using Xpressbet begins on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at approximately 12:00PM ET. Players can sign up using the instructions at www.xpressbet.com.

        The buy-in to play the Gold Rush Challenge is $1,000 per entry, with a maximum of two (2) entries per person. $250 of the buy-in money will be designated to the prize pool while the remaining $750 will be used for the player’s bankroll. 100% of the entry fees will be paid out as prizes.

         *The final prize pool will be announced on Saturday, April 29, 2023, after registration closes. The final prize pool distribution and number of qualifying spots for the 2024 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) will be based upon the total number of entries in the contest.

        For more information and official rules of the Gold Rush Challenge Handicapping Contest, visit the following link: https://www.xpressbet.com/images/pdf/1000_Gold_Rush_Challenge_Official_Rules_-_2023___V3.pdf.

       Additionally, four feeder tournaments that will feed into the Gold Rush Challenge Handicapping Contest have been added to the nationwide contest schedule this week. For the schedule and more information, visit the following link: https://www.xpressbet.com/ggf-60-feeder-tournament-4-25-23.

*Contest officials of Golden Gate Fields, 1/ST, and Xpressbet reserve the right to adjust the final prize pool after registration closes (100% of entry fees will be paid out as prizes).

 

SECOND RACE ON FRIDAY THE FIRST OF FIVE ALLOWANCE RACES ON A GOOD QUALITY CARD

Race 2 for 3-year-old filly sprinters on Friday at Golden Gate is the first of a quintet of allowance races on a quality-filled program. Race 2 features the return of Electric Lettuce, who makes her first start in 3 months for trainer Blaine Wright after a third-place finish behind stakes winner Sally’s Sassy and next out allowance winner Rousing Jewel in January. As a 2-year-old last summer, the LNJ Foxwoods homebred by Straight Fire displayed enough precociousness and talent to be entered in multiple stakes races throughout the summer.

“The three months off [from January to present day] wasn’t by design,” said Wright. “The races we were entering in weren’t filling.”

Wright and his team can be commended for helping get Electric Lettuce to relax in her races. As a younger filly, she possessed a “Go! Go! Go!” mentality, setting fast fractions and running as fast as she could for as long as she could. Although Team Wright has successful gotten Electric Lettuce to learn the different between “running fast” and “racing”, she draws the rail on Friday, which many horsemen and handicappers alike would agree is an undesirable spot to break from in a one-turn race.

“We’ve been working with her for a while to get her to settle down, relax, and finish in her races,” said Wright. “She’s done that the last two times.”

Electric Lettuce is 9-2 on the morning and picks up the services of William Antongeorgi III for the first time. Armando Ayuso rode Electric Lettuce in her last two starts but winds up on 2-1 morning line favorite Miss Bellimbusto, an O.J Jauregui trainee who blitzed a starter allowance field on February 24 and takes the next logical step up in class to the first level allowance condition. Earlier in her career, the $40,000 sale purchase by Bucchero broke her maiden in a maiden special weight.

A recent maiden winner, Em N Holl’s Fiesta, has always been well thought of by her connections. Last time out, the daughter of Cat Burglar won a maiden special weight race by open lengths for trainer Mike Lenzini. She faces winners for the first time on Friday.

“She came out of that maiden win great,” said Lenzini. “There’s some speed in this race for her to stalk. We’re going to sit off [the pace] and go get ‘em down the lane. That’s what I’m hoping to see, anyway.”

Another impressive maiden winner, Just a Little Luck, handily defeated Em N Holl’s Fiesta in a large field of 11 others on March 11. Em N Holl’s Fiesta was 4-1 while Just a Little Luck won the race at double the price. She freshens up after the big maiden win for trainer Andy Mathis and makes her second start of her 2023 campaign.

Black Zabat is a perfect 3 for 3 sprinting after a high-level maiden claiming win and a pair of starter allowance victories for trainer Manny Badilla. She figures to be part of the pace and gets the acid test in this spot. How About a Fresca, who cuts back from a route to a sprint and makes her second start off a claim by Sammy Calvario, completes the field.

Four other allowance races follow the second race. About a half hour later, Race 3 is a first level allowance at one mile on the Tapeta. Ten the Smart Way stretches out in distance and could get loose on the lead. She faces recent allowance winner Twilight Empire, the well-bred Momma Mocca, and hard knocker La Vikina, among others.

Race 4 is the signature race of the day: a second level allowance at one mile on the turf. Stakes winner Jimmy Blue Jeans will be the one to catch on the front end and is up against Long Lance, a third-place finisher on March 19 behind 2021 Pacific Classic winner Tripoli and 2022 Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap winner Lammas. Tim McCanna trains Long Lance and Rimprotector, a half sibling to multiple Grade 3 winner and Grade 1 placed router Fullsome. Stakes placed Kennebec, Harmon, and Shotgun Express complete the field.

Race 6, a five-furlong turf dash, attracts the speedy sprint specialist Lotsa Pepper, the well-traveled Queen Molotov, Santa Anita California-bred allowance winner The Great Haynes, veterans Marilyn’s Smile and Hot Rageous, comebacker Tura Lura, and price horse Swanee.

Race 7, the last of the five allowance races, is a first level allowance at five and one-half furlongs on Tapeta. Smiling Molly ran a career best race in her first start on Tapeta under trainer D. Wayne Baker’s condition program and seeks another win at the aforementioned level. The ultra-consistent A Dime for Me, well-bred Lady’s Sermon, impressive recent winner Tamantari and past allowance winner Perfect Stories are four of the nine runners entered.

First post on the Friday race card is 1:45 PM. On Saturday, Golden Gate also has a 1:45 PM start time.

ED MOGER JR AND CLASSY STILLETO BOY READY TO ROLL IN OAKLAWN HANDICAP

On Saturday at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs Arkansas, the Ed Moger Jr. trained Stilleto Boy makes his first start since a triumphant victory in the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap on March 4. Stilleto Boy is listed at 8-1 on the morning line in the $1,000,000 Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap, for 4-year-olds and up at the one mile and an eighth distance. The Oaklawn Handicap goes as Race 10 of 12, with post time set at 5:06 central time/3:06 pacific.

Oaklawn is the site where Stilleto Boy broke his maiden two years and (about) a week ago on April 17, 2021. He’s gotten a lot better since then and conquered much greater accolades: a victory in the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows in July of 2021, a runner up finish behind unofficial Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit in the Awesome Again Stakes that same year, a first-place finish in the Grade 2 Californian, back-to-back third place finishes in the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, and of course, the recent Santa Anita Handicap victory.

Life hasn’t changed much for Stilleto Boy. Per usual, he has trained great and holds good weight. He continues to enjoy his favorite treat around the barn-horse cookies-and possesses his usual spunk and good energy.

“He’s doing great,” said Moger Jr. from Arkansas on Thursday. “He’s all class. He travels, shows up, and just takes everything in. He’s a great traveler. He flew into Oaklawn on Tuesday and got here in good shape. It rained a little bit [on Thursday] but the track should be good on race day.”

Stilleto Boy, owned by Ed’s brother Steve, will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux, who was aboard for the ‘Big Cap triumph.

RAGER LOOKS TO REBOUND AFTER UNLUCKY TRIP IN RECENT START

 In his most recent afternoon appearance three weeks ago, 2021 Oakland Stakes winner Rager was, as the old phrase goes, “all dressed up and nowhere to go,” boxed in behind horses with no room to fully stride out and run his fastest. He hit the wire sixth but would have been battling for the win with a smooth journey.

This Sunday in Race 5 at Golden Gate, Rager seeks to rebound in a second level allowance race at five and one-half furlongs. Earlier in the season, Rager won at this level and was the runner up in his next start behind one of Northern California’s top sprinters in Star Racer. Regular rider Assael Espinoza retains the mount for trainer Tim McCanna.

Five other rivals face Rager on Sunday. Highland Ghost emerges as a legit threat. Two starts ago, the California-bred ran third in the El Dorado Shooter Stakes and was last seen finishing fifth in an ultra-tough second level allowance race down the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.

War Games freshens up over two months for veteran conditioner Cliff DeLima after a fourth-place finish behind Star Racer and Rager in February. The quick son of Cyclotron is a stakes placed sprinter who has never finished off the board in six races at the five and one-half furlong distance. He figures to be prominent on the pace. Lmlooknformischief, a multiple first level allowance winner, was fourth on April 2 and ran on well down the stretch in his first start against second level allowance company. He gets another crack at the condition on Sunday.

The Blaine Wright trained pair of Executive Chef and Top Executive complete the field. Executive Chef makes his second start off a layoff after a double-digit length loss on April 2. Last year, the then 3-year-old won the Auburn Stakes at Emerald Downs and, in a seperate race at Golden Gate, was a head short of defeating Midnight Mammoth, who has since turned out to be an above average allowance horse and is entered to race in a graded stake at Santa Anita this weekend. Top Executive hasn’t been seen since a summer campaign at Emerald. As a 3-year-old in 2021, Top Executive won a trio of stakes and, in 2022, placed fourth in the Longacres Mile at two turns.

9 races end the racing week on Sunday. Like Friday and Saturday, first post on Sunday is 1:45 PM.

INAUGURAL GOLD RUSH CHALLENGE HANDICAPPING CONTEST SET TO TAKE PLACE ON GOLD RUSH WEEKEND SATURDAY, APRIL 29

On Saturday, April 29, horseplayers are invited to participate in the inaugural Gold Rush Challenge Handicapping Contest. Players who wish to participate must have an Xpressbet account and an account balance of $1,000.

The Gold Rush Challenge is a live money contest. The buy-in to play in the tournament is $1,000. $250 of that money goes into the prize pool while the other $750 is for the individual player’s bankroll. 100% of the $250 entry fee will be paid out in prizes.

The races players can wager on in the tournament are all of Golden Gate’s races on Saturday, April 29. Permitted wagers for the tournament are as follows: Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, and Daily Doubles. Players must wager, at minimum, their entire $750 bankroll during the contest, but there is no maximum betting amount: players may wager as much as they want, including winnings from their bankroll, whenever they wish.

The top finishers in the contest will earn, along with cash prizes, entries into the 2024 National Horseplayers Challenge (NHC) in Las Vegas. Along with the NHC Entry, airfare and hotel accommodations are included. Players can participate in the Gold Rush Challenge Contest from different venues: online on their Xpressbet Account, at Santa Anita Park, or at Golden Gate. For those who wish to play on site at Golden Gate, those players will be eligible to win bonus awards. The highest finishing player on-site at Golden Gate receives $2,500 while the second highest finishing player will earn $1,000.

Online registration (through Xpressbet) opens on Tuesday, April 25 at approximately 12:00 PM ET. Entries will be accepted up until the start of the fifth race at Golden Gate on April 29. On Gold Rush Weekend Saturday, Golden Gate will have six stakes races, including the $250,000 Grade 3 San Francisco Mile and the $100,000 California Derby.

For more information, please visit our website at https://goldengatefields.com/events/gold-rush-challenge-the-handicapping-contest/#.ZEIZwOzMKqA .

For all of the official rules, please visit the following link: https://www.xpressbet.com/images/pdf/1000_Gold_Rush_Challenge_Official_Rules_-_2023___V3.pdf

CLAIMS REPORT

Friday

Race 3: Tiger’s Arrow (New trainer Genaro Vallejo…New owner Blue Sky Training Center)

Race 4: Dad Bob (Owner/Trainer D. Wayne Baker)

Race 4: Dr. Flash Dancer (Terry Johnson…Laurie Johnson)

Race 4: Two Twelve (Owner/Trainer Victor Trujillo)

Race 6: Nickel Nickel Nine (Jonathan Wong…MVJET Stables)

Race 7: Big Fame (Ellen Jackson…John Watson)

Race 7: Liam’s Secret (Eddie Rich…Hoof Pick Racing Partners LLC)

Race 7: St Helena (Guillermo Preciado…Danuario Ramirez Garcia)

Saturday

Race 2: Cali Conquest (Ed Moger Jr…Al Pitchko)

Race 3: Bandera Azteca (Isidro Tamayo…Sergio Salguero)

Race 4: Gettin Sideways (Reid France…Williamson Racing LLC)

Race 5: Head Start (Owner/Trainer Sergio Perez)

Race 7: Hunters Ghost (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables and TAK Racing)

Sunday

Race 2: Big Stick (Owner/Trainer Isidro Tamayo)

Race 2: Pollo d’Oro (Owner/Trainer Sergio Morfin)

FINISH LINES: 9 races are on the docket for Saturday afternoon. Race 4, a first level allowance on the turf for filly and mare routers, goes as the feature race. Another intriguing event on Saturday is the finale, Race 9, with a full field of maiden special weight sprinters, while two additional maiden special weight races on Saturday add quality to the program…Nominations closed for Gold Rush Weekend Saturday stakes races last night. Nominations will be published this afternoon…Nominations for the Campanile Stakes and Silky Sullivan Stakes on Sunday close tonight at midnight. Nominations for those two stakes will be published tomorrow afternoon. $43,622 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six on Friday afternoon.

NOMINATIONS FOR 2023 GOLD RUSH WEEKEND STAKES CLOSE NEXT WEEK

We’re just 15 days away from the biggest racing weekend every year in Northern California: Gold Rush Weekend. With that, nominations for the half dozen stakes races on Gold Rush Weekend Saturday, April 29 close next Thursday, April 20 at midnight. Nominations for two California-bred stakes on Sunday, April 30 close 24 hours later on Friday, April 21.

“We’ve already seen some nominations come through the racing office,” said Golden Gate Fields Director of Racing and Racing Secretary Steve Martinelli. “It’s still early in the process. Most of the trainers will nominate their horses next week. We’ve got a good group of local horses lining up for these stakes and, like past years, we’re projecting plenty of entries from Southern California.”

The six stakes races on Gold Rush Weekend Saturday:

• The signature race of the day: the $250,000 San Francisco Mile for 3-year-olds and up at one mile on the turf
• The $100,000 California Derby for 3-year-olds at one mile and a sixteenth on the Tapeta
• The $75,000 California Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at one mile and a sixteenth on the Tapeta
• The $75,000 Golden Poppy Stakes for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up at one mile and a sixteenth on the turf
• The $75,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 6 furlongs on the Tapeta
• The $75,000 Camilla Urso Stakes for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up at 5 furlongs on the turf

The two stake races on Gold Rush Weekend Sunday:

• The $75,000 Campanile Stakes for California-bred or sired 3-year-old fillies at one mile on the turf
• The $75,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes for California-bred or sired 3-year-olds at one mile on the turf

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

TURF RACING RESUMES AT GOLDEN GATE ON FRIDAY

Race 5 on Friday is a one-mile, high level maiden claimer that begins the Late Pick 4. It’s also the first turf race of the year at Golden Gate.

The last turf race conducted at Golden Gate came last fall. Per usual, Golden Gate took a hiatus from turf racing in the winter months of January, February, and March.

“In 2022, we started turf racing in mid-March,” said Steve Martinelli. “This year we got a lot more rain, especially in February and March, so we had to wait a little bit longer. The turf course is in great shape. Our [track maintenance] crew has done a great job working on the course and keeping a close eye on things to make sure it’s good to go.

Some trainers have horses that they may feel are better on turf than Tapeta,” explained Martinelli. “Sometimes, horses take time off in the winter and come back for the second half of the meet, so we’ve got some horses like that getting back into it.”

REGARDLESS OF SURFACE, PACE WILL ALWAYS MAKE GALLANT WARREN’S RACE

For the last couple of years, 6-year-old gelding Gallant Warren has been a formidable competitor at the first level allowance ranks. Heading into a March 25 allowance, though, he had failed to hit the board in his two most recent races at the first level condition. Nonetheless, Gallant Warren rebounded on the 25^th, rallying from far out of it before losing by a narrow nose to Southern California shipper Crosby Beach, a stakes placed router in 2021.

Handicappers will pose the question: what exactly made the difference on March 25? Trainer Tim Bellasis is confident he knows the answer.

“In those two races [where he finished out of the money], he didn’t have any pace to run at,” said Bellasis. “He doesn’t have a kick. He just grinds along and stays on. I mean, in one of those races-the mile and a quarter one-they went 1:43 for the mile. 1:43! Last time, two horses dueled out there and went super-fast, which was perfect for him. All we needed was that race to be another quarter stride and he would’ve got there.”

Gallant Warren, who primarily races on the main track Tapeta, gets to turf in Race 8 this Saturday in the signature race of the afternoon: a first level allowance at the one mile and a sixteenth distance. In six tries over the lawn, Gallant Warren has only won once. Every other effort resulted in an off-the-board finish.

“I don’t think the surface is an issue,” said Bellasis. “He just needs the speed to run at. If we get that, we’ve got a shot.”

Jockey Irving Orozco, who won five races between last Saturday and Sunday, was aboard Gallant Warren last time out and retains the mount in Race 8.

10 other entrants are signed on to compete. Morning line favorite Lost in Space will need to work out a good trip from the far outside post position. The Southern California invader trained by Simon Callaghan raced in the 2021 California Derby, failed to pass a runner, and was given a little less than two years off after that. He returned to the races on February 5 of this year in a downhill turf sprint at Santa Anita and finished in midfield. Conundrum, the second choice on the morning line at 3-1, finished about a length and a half behind Gallant Warren for second on March 25 and makes his career debut on turf this Saturday. Other main contenders include Supermazel, looking to increase a win streak to three consecutive victories after a pair of gate to wire wins on the Tapeta, One Fast Bro, a recent fast-finishing starter allowance winner at Santa Anita, and Chief Wild Eagle, stakes placed in the Alcatraz Stakes over this turf course last year.

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

Race 8 on Saturday (First level allowance at one mile and a sixteenth on turf)

#1 Gallant Warren (Jockey Irving Orozco…Trainer Tim Bellasis…Morning line odds of 10-1)

#2 Supermazel (William Antongeorgi III…Steve Sherman…6-1)

#3 One Fast Bro (Armando Ayuso…Quinn Howey…5-1)

#4 Enos Slaughter (Cristobal Herrera…Marcelino Trujillo…20-1)

#5 Table for Two (Santos Rivera…Victor Trujillo…20-1)

#6 Chief Wild Eagle (Frank Alvarado…Tim McCanna…12-1)

#7 Big Flame (Evin Roman…Victor Trujillo…10-1)

#8 Acclider (Alejandro Gomez…Jesus Ramos…15-1)

#9 Wellswort (Brayan Pena…Simon Hobson…20-1)

#10 Conundrum (Alexander Chavez…Mike Lenzini…3-1)

#11 Lost in Space (Assael Espinoza…Simon Callaghan…5-2)

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week:

Friday

Race 6: Thanks Maggio (Gary Greiner…Renee Greiner)

Race 7: Rachel’s Coach (Sergio Ledezma…Ledezma and Michael Shand)

Saturday

Race 3: Irish Royalty (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing)

Race 7: The Calabrese Kid (Owner/Trainer Sergio Perez) 

Sunday

Race 2: Que Sera Sir Ralph (Terry Johnson…Reynaldo Gonzalez)

Race 3: Blossoming (Owner/Trainer Reed Saldana)

Race 4: Crown Kitten (Genaro Vallejo…Blue Sky Training Center)

Race 4: Damn the Torpedoes (Ed Moger Jr…Terrance McFarlane)

Race 8: Sherilinda (Tim McCanna…Pat LePley)

Race 9: Winter Falcon (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables and Clay Sides)

FINISH LINES: Friday offers an 8-race card with first post at 1:15 PM. Sunday has a 9-race card beginning at 1:15…Along with an 11-horse allowance race in Race 8 on Saturday, a full field of 12 maiden special weight entrants ends the day…The Ed Moger Jr. trained Stilleto Boy worked the second fastest of 49 workers at the five-furlong distance on April 8, finishing five panels in 1:00.20. He has one more workout this weekend before shipping to Oaklawn Park for the $1,000,000 Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 22…Santa Anita takes a week off from live racing this week. With that, the Golden Hour Late Pick 4 and Double wagers will be back in play beginning next Friday, April 21, when Santa Anita resumes live racing…$19,724 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager on Friday.

DIVERSE GROUP OF 3-YEAR-OLDS ENTERED IN FRIDAY ALLOWANCE

A salty batch of 3-year-old colts and geldings take center stage in the signature race on Friday at Golden Gate, a first level allowance at six furlongs on the Tapeta. All seven horses in the race have been campaigned differently. Some sport sharp, recent form. A few of them step up in class. One makes his 3-year-old debut while another makes his first start off a claim. For handicappers, there are many angles to dissect but only one winner to find.

Morning line maker Jacob Shephard has tabbed Rachel’s Coach as the 9-5 favorite. There are reasons to suggest he may indeed be favored come post time. The son of Coach Bob was a decisive starter allowance winner on March 12 and earned a Beyer speed figure (82) that tops any of the other six entrants’ best speed figures by quite a few points. Rachel’s Coach has also run well at this condition in the past; two starts ago, he finished third behind California Derby contender and next out winner Prince Abu Dhabi, and placed third one race prior to next-out stakes placed Harcyn.

“He’s doing good,” said trainer Isidro Tamayo of Rachel’s Coach. “He wasn’t a big horse when we first got him. After he broke his maiden, he really started to figure everything out. I think he can rate if the pace is too fast, but he’s got natural speed.”

Tamayo also saddles Strength of Autism, who failed to be competitive at this level two starts ago.

Like Tamayo, Victor Trujillo trains two entrants in the race. Rodrigoknows, a bargain $5,700 sale purchase by Cat Burglar, suffered traffic late in his career debut and wound up second. He returned to the races on March 25 and easily defeated a group of maiden special weight foes. He faces winners for the first time on Friday. Barn buddy Idaho Once finished as the runner up behind stakes winner Clovisconnection coming off a 7-month vacation at this condition last time out. Also sired by Cat Burglar, Idaho Once figures to be fairly close to the pace.

Chuckanut Bay began his career in Northern California last summer and broke his maiden at Pleasanton. He subsequently moved to Emerald Downs for the summer and placed in three stakes races there. After a pair of losses, including a double-digit length defeat in the Gold Rush Stakes behind Southern California stakes winner Passarando and El Camino Real Derby champion Chase the Chaos, Chuckanut Bay was given four months off. He returns with a steady series of drills for trainer Jack Steiner

“We’re using this as a starting point and we’ll see how it goes,” said Steiner. “He’s training okay. On paper, he’s in a pretty tough spot.”

Talk About Autism placed third behind Clovisconnection and Idaho Once at this level on March 17. The Sammy Calvario trainee went off as the 7-5 second choice in the wagering that day. He figures to be a better price this go around. Sporting a 3 for 5 lifetime win record, Talk About Autism broke his maiden on debut and won a pair of starter allowance races earlier this year.

“He’s still a colt [as opposed to a gelding]. He’s pretty playful,” said Calvario. “[Jockey] Cristobal [Herrera] fits him really well. He wasn’t available [last race] and I think getting him back will help. He knows this horse.”

Saxon Saga rounds out the field. He makes his first start off a claim by trainer Ed Moger Jr. after a pair of convincing $12,500 claiming wins.

Live racing begins at 1:45 PM on Friday. 8 races are on the schedule.

Race 7 on Friday (First level allowance at six furlongs for 3-year-olds)

#1 Chuckanut Bay (Jockey Assael Espinoza…Trainer Jack Steiner…morning line odds of 10-1)

#2 Rodrigoknows (Evin Roman…Victor Trujillo…2-1)

#3 Rachel’s Coach (Kevin Radke…Isidro Tamayo…9-5)

#4 Strength of Autism (Alexander Chavez…Isidro Tamayo…15-1)

#5 Saxon Saga (William Antongeorgi III…Ed Moger Jr…15-1)

#6 Idaho Once (Santos Rivera…Victor Trujillo…5-1)

#7 Talk About Autism (Cristobal Herrera…Sammy Calvario…4-1)

TROJAN CLUBHOUSE REMAINS ADMIRABLE EVEN WITHOUT WIN STREAK INTACT, RETURNS ON SATURDAY IN SECOND LEVEL ALLOWANCE

A 7-race win streak for 5-year-old mare Trojan Clubhouse was brought to an end on March 18. That day, she stalked the pace, took the lead in upper stretch and eventually was passed late in the game by first place finisher Tiz an Edventure, a stakes winner who was considered at the time to be the top filly and mare router in Northern California. Per multiple sources, she has been retired to start a new career as a broodmare.

“She rated a little bit last time and ran a really good race,” said trainer Reid France on Trojan Clubhouse. “I was pleased with the effort. When we claimed her [in her second lifetime race], she ran a couple of dull races after and wasn’t quite right. We gave her six months and that really helped her, and it’s been quite the ride ever since.”

Trojan Clubhouse seeks to begin a new win streak this Saturday at Golden Gate in Race 8, a second level allowance at the one mile and a sixteenth distance. The daughter of Clubhouse Ride has won all three prior starts at 8.5 furlongs and scored once before at the second level condition last year too, fending off all challengers for a gutsy head victory.

In her most recent start, Trojan Clubhouse employed tactics we had not seen her practice since her win streak began: she stalked the pace for the first half of the race. Although she did not win, all signs indicate she brought her ‘A game’. With her versatility in mind, jockey Evin Roman has options. On the other hand, she breaks from the inside post, meaning Roman will need to make good decisions to work out a good trip with other speed drawn to her outside.

Three rivals Trojan Clubhouse faces on Saturday have front running ability to make things interesting. Shezaghost, a hard knocker that has hit the board in her last two starts at this level, does her best work on the front end. Recent gate to wire first level allowance winner Work to Live has visited the winners circle on three separate occasions in her career, all in which she went to the lead. Undisturbed, a stablemate to Work to Live (both conditioned by Steve Sherman), set the pace in her last start but weakened down the stretch and hit the wire fifth.

“I do think we have options,” said France. “If she breaks well and is on the lead, that would probably be Plan A. Plan B is to rate, but I wouldn’t have a problem with it if she did. She’s an easy mare to ride. She’s a sweetheart in the barn. She’ll do whatever you ask her to.”

Trainer Manny Badilla, who has conditioned many high-quality fillies and mares over the years, sends out a duo in the 8^th race on Saturday. Madeira Wine went off as the longest shot in the race (13-1) on March 18 and settled for third behind Tiz an Edventure and Trojan Clubhouse. Great Britain bred Signorina Merisi won back-to-back races to kick off her North American racing career but failed to fire in February at this level while going off at low odds of 3-5. She looks to rebound after freshening up a month and a half.

Completing the field is Aloha Kitten, a first level allowance winner on turf at Golden Gate last September. Stabled in Southern California under the supervision of Craig Dollase, the 6-year-old mare has finished as the runner up in her last three starts against allowance company. While two of those efforts were at her home court at Santa Anita, the third run came locally at Golden Gate, where she finished behind none other than Trojan Clubhouse.

Like Friday, the first of nine races on Saturday is set to kick off at 1:45 PM.

Race 8 on Saturday (Second level allowance at one mile and a sixteenth for fillies and mares 4-years-old and upward)

#1 Trojan Clubhouse (Jockey Evin Roman…Trainer Reid France…morning line odds of 9-5)

#2 Aloha Kitten (Armando Ayuso…Craig Dollase…5-1)

#3 Work to Live (William Antongeorgi III…Steve Sherman…5-2)

#4 Shezaghost (Santos Rivera…Manny Badilla…8-1)

#5 Madeira Wine (Irving Orozco…Manny Badilla…15-1)

#6 Signorina Merisi (Assael Espinoza…Manny Badilla…4-1)

#7 Undisturbed (Alexander Chavez…Steve Sherman…12-1)

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last year:

Friday

Race 2: Miss Ever Ready (New trainer D. Wayne Baker…new owner Richard Barton)

Saturday

Race 1: The Sandy Surprise (Isidro Tamayo..Miguel Chavez)

Race 2: Speed Grazy (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables, Hon Cheung Kum and Hsui Mei Tsai)

Race 5: Mendham Mill (Manny Badilla…Jerry Jamgotchian)

Race 9: Enjoy It Strait (Owner/Trainer Mark Glatt)

Sunday

Race 3: Alexander’s Dream (Isidro Tamayo…Taboada Racing Stables LLC)

Race 5: Magic Tiger (Ed Moger Jr…Terry McFarlane and Bill Meikle)

FINISH LINES: 3-year-old California bred gelding Clovisconnection competes at Santa Anita on Saturday in Race 7: the $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for California-bred or sired 3-year-olds at six and one-half furlongs. The Judy and William Hedrick homebred is listed at 6-1 on Jon White’s morning line. GGF rider Kevin Radke makes the trip south to navigate for trainer Blaine Wright…In other news, Radke will be represented for the remainder of the meet by agent Brent Harmon…We wish the best of luck to jockey Yarmarie Correa, who moved back east after a brief stint at Golden Gate…After a two-win day last Sunday, veteran pilot Frank Alvarado is 39 wins away from career victory 4,000…$8,716 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six Jackpot carryover on Friday…9 races are on the Sunday program, with first post set at 1:15 PM.

WELL-BRED HARCYN PREPS FOR CALIFORNIA DERBY IN FRIDAY ALLOWANCE  

The Jerry Moss homebred Harcyn has been an exciting Northern California prospect since well before his first race. Prior to his career debut, he drilled a handful of speedy workouts that raised eyebrows of trainers and other workout watchers. A Kentucky-bred by Goldencents, Harcyn is out of the Street Cry dam Florian, who is a half sibling to 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo and 2007 Santa Anita Derby winner Tiago. With his raw ability and top-class pedigree, it sure looked like Harcyn could be any kind.

Harcyn debuted on October 30 in a five-and-a-half-furlong sprint, went to the lead while setting fast fractions, and hit the wire almost four lengths clear of runner up finisher Matt’s Monster. Matt’s Monster and third-place finisher Strut On Louie both returned to break their maidens in their next starts. Trainer Steve Sherman had to be patient and wait about 90 days for Harcyn’s first start against winners, a first level allowance for 3-year-old sprinters on January 16. He trounced his competition again, rolling to the front and hitting the wire well ahead of the rest.

With the two wins in toe, Harcyn had quickly broken through two conditions: his maiden status and first level allowance condition. With that, Sherman had no choice but to run Harcyn in the only race available for him at Golden Gate in February: the $100,000 El Camino Real Derby at one mile and an eighth. It would be no easy task for Harcyn to win a race like this; he was facing more seasoned horses, most of who had route experience already, and he was set to travel 3 furlongs farther than he ever had in a race.

For the first time in his career, Harcyn sat second off a leader in the El Camino Real Derby. He moved to a steady gallop while relaxing kindly off the pace, pounced on the early pacesetter and took the lead in upper stretch, was on the lead for a brief time, and eventually finished third behind race winner Chase the Chaos and the Bob Baffert trained Gilmore. Although Harcyn suffered his first defeat, he only gained admirers for the effort.

“He was pretty tired after the [El Camino Real Derby], but he should have been,” said Sherman. “He ran hard. We made sure to give him a few days after the race to rest up and he bounced back well. He’s got a lot of energy now. He’s not a great work horse when he goes on his own, but when he works in company, he’s got his game face on. Really, you can do what you want with him.”

Since the El Camino Real Derby, Sherman has freshened up Harcyn. He returns this Friday in Race 7, an allowance for 3-year-olds at one mile. The race will be used as a prep run for the April 29, $100,000 California Derby for 3-year-olds at 8.5 furlongs on Gold Rush Weekend Saturday. William Antongeorgi III, who has been aboard Harcyn for all three lifetime starts, retains the mount on Friday.

“This is a tough race,” said Sherman. “There are some really nice horses in there. You’ve got a few different horses that all seem to have the same type of running style. They’ve all got speed but are pretty tactical. We’re going to have to play it by the break.”

A solid group of main contenders are ready to challenge Harcyn. Prince Abu Dhabi was a smashing first out winner in the fall, took some time off before his second lifetime start last month, flying home on El Camino Real Derby Day for a powerful victory against first level allowance sprinters. Prince Abu Dhabi, by Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice, tries two turns for the first time and, among four workouts since his last race, sports a six-furlong drill for trainer Blaine Wright.

Trainer Steve Specht and owner/breeders Larry and Marianne Williams campaign a pair of entrants in Friday’s seventh race. Mother’s Prayer stalked the pace before landing the gold prize at the first level allowance condition last time out. He looks primed for another good effort again. Rousing Jewel, a filly facing boys, was a victor at a first level allowance condition on February 11 and, like Harcyn, makes her second lifetime start going a route of ground.

Happy Does, a multiple allowance winner for trainer Felix Rondan, was third home behind Mother’s Prayer in their last meeting on March 4 and faces a tougher group overall in this assignment. Smokin’ Hot is in for the optional $50,000 tag for Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and Jonathan Wong after a win and third place finish, respectively, against starter allowance foes.

First post on an 8-race card this Friday is 1:15 PM PT.

Race 7 on Friday (Allowance for 3-year-olds at one mile on the Tapeta)

#1 Mother’s Prayer (Jockey Assael Espinoza…Trainer Steve Specht…Morning line odds of 4-1)

#2 Prince Abu Dhabi (Kevin Radke…Blaine Wright…2-1)

#3 Harcyn (William Antongeorgi III…Steve Sherman…9-5)

#4 Rousing Jewel (Frank Alvarado…Steve Specht…6-1)

#5 Smokin’ Hot (Brayan Pena…Jonathan Wong…10-1)

#6 Happy Does (Santos Rivera…Felix Rondan…8-1)

TOP NORTHERN CALIFORNIA SPRINTERS STAR RACER VS. TOP HARBOR ON SATURDAY

Arguably the two best sprinters in Northern California square off for the first time in Race 3 on Saturday at Golden Gate. A sold effort by any of the five entrants in the race would likely result in a start in the $75,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes on Saturday, April 29.

The heavy hitters in the race, Star Racer and Top Harbor, boast two very different resumes. Star Racer has better than ever form in his last few starts and would be making his stakes debut in the Lost in the Fog if he were to compete in the race. Top Harbor has always been a stakes horse with consistent form since his first year of racing as a 2-year-old in 2020.

According to Star Racer’s trainer, Angelo Tekos Jr., the California-bred son of Vronsky has always shown talent. He began his career at Golden Gate with a solid maiden special weight win and was soon moved to Southern California when Tekos Jr. relocated there for a couple years. Although Star Racer won a state-bred allowance race at Del Mar in 2021, his form began to tail off in 2022, and Tekos eventually moved back to Golden Gate this past fall with his string of horses.

Clearly, Star Racer enjoys the GGF Tapeta. He sports a 4 for 7 record on the Tapeta, with 3 other in-the-money finishes. His last three races have been lights out; he walloped a pair of first level allowance fields and easily beat second level allowance foes in his most recent afternoon appearance on February 11. In all three races, he earned Beyer speed figures of 93, 96, and 97. Star Racer enters this Saturday’s third race with career best, stakes-caliber form, and a ton of confidence.

“The last few races here…between his races we were always working on something. Just little hiccups,” said Tekos Jr. “Before one race, he had a bruised foot. Luckily, that healed quick. Another time he got a little sick. We got him to the races, obviously, and he ran great, but we had to deal with those little hiccups and back off him a little [during his training.] This is the first time in his last few starts that he hasn’t had a hiccup. He’s doing really, really well.

The reason ‘Racer is in top form at age 6 is because he has good owners that let me give him time off when he needed it,” concluded Tekos Jr.

Top Harbor, on the other hand, has always been a stakes horse. In only his second lifetime start as a 2-year-old in 2020, he won the Everett Nevin Stakes at Pleasanton. He was victorious in the 2021 El Dorado Shooter Stakes at Golden Gate, beating older horses as a 3-year-old that day, while his most recent stakes victory came just about four months ago in the Oakland Stakes on November 19. Top Harbor was last seen running second behind Southern California shipper See Through It in the 2023 El Dorado Shooter in February. He was coming off about a four-month layoff that day.

“I’m glad we’re getting a prep into him [before the Lost in the Fog Stakes],” said McCanna. “[Racing Secretary] Steve Martinelli did a good job getting this race to go. [Top Harbor] is a big, heavy horse, so I have to overtrain him a little bit to keep him fit.”

The other three runners set to tackle the top pair are no slouches. Psycho Dar draws the rail and looks to rebound after a fourth-place finish in the El Dorado Shooter Stakes. Last year, the Sammy Calvario trainee beat Top Harbor in the Harris Farm Stakes at Fresno, but was out finished in the Oakland Stakes, finishing a length behind Top Harbor.

Unraptured, the second runner in the race campaigned by McCanna, makes his second start off a six-month layoff after receiving the silver medal in a second level allowance race.

“We’ll see how he fits with this field and if he hangs with ‘em, then we’ll nominate to a stake,” said McCanna.

Cool Mountain Lad won the Oak Tree Sprint Stakes at Pleasanton and returned to Golden Gate over the summer to beat Unraptured in a second level allowance. He has lost three races in a row since then and, like Unraptured, makes the second start in his current form cycle.

Race fans will get to enjoy 9 races on Saturday. First post is 1:15 PM.

Race 3 on Saturday (Allowance for 4-year-olds and up at six furlongs on the Tapeta)

#1 Psycho Dar (Jockey Irving Orozco…Trainer Sammy Calvario…Morning line odds of 5-2)

#2 Star Racer (Assael Espinoza…Angelo Tekos Jr…7-5)

#3 Unraptured (Armando Ayuso…Tim McCanna…6-1)

#4 Top Harbor (Frank Alvarado…Tim McCanna…5-2)

#5 Cool Mountain Lad (Brayan Pena…Victor Trujillo…8-1)

CONTENTION RUNS DEEP IN SUNDAY FEATURE FOR SPRINTERS

Race 8 on Sunday, a second level allowance for 4-year-olds and up sprinting six furlongs, features a mix of past stakes performers, horses returning from layoffs, and recently claimed horses. Many are eligible to win the race if they show up with their top effort.

2021 Oakland Stakes winner Rager leads the list of major players. Earlier this year, he earned an 89 Beyer speed figure with a decisive win at this condition. He returned less than a month later to finish as the runner up behind Star Racer. For the second-place finish, he received a 90 Beyer. Rager regressed in his most recent start and was third home in a March 11 allowance. He looks to rebound and will likely get plenty of support in the wagering.

Irrefutable ended his 2022 with a three-quarter length loss to Top Harbor in the Oakland Stakes. He returned in 2023 and has finished behind Rager twice, including in his most recent afternoon appearance on February 10. The Mike Lenzini trainee has only finished off the board three times from 16 starts over the Golden Gate Tapeta.

Torpedo Away was no match for his competition in the Oakland Stakes last year and has since competed in three consecutive high level claiming races. Each time, he finished ahead or right behind the likes of first level allowance caliber racers Honeymoonz Over and Murphy’s Tiger. The hard knocking Washington bred earned a career high Beyer (88) in his last start in which he lost by a head to the latter rival mentioned above.

Another who was last seen earning a career best speed figure is Larry’s Legend, who was making his first start for the Sammy Calvario barn last time out and only finished a neck behind multiple allowance winner Love’em N Leave’em. That day, he had to navigate through traffic and, to some handicappers, might have been considered an unlucky loser. He looks to build off that run in his second start for his current connections.

Executive Chef is the second Blaine Wright entrant in the race and makes his 4-year-old debut in this spot. He was a runaway winner of the Auburn Stakes at Emerald Downs on dirt last summer-a race restricted to 3-year-olds. We know he can run effectively on the Tapeta because he broke his maiden over the surface last year. 

Others in the race include Lmlooknformischief, who picked up a confidence booster when defeating first level allowance foes last month and takes a step up in class. Hey Mate hasn’t been seen since June and, the last time he sprinted at this level, finished three-quarters of a length behind stakes placed In Our A. Having won three consecutive turf sprints at Santa Anita, My Summer Dream was claimed for $50,000 by trainer O.J Jauregui and owner Danny Eplin on January 13 and, the last time he ran at Golden Gate, finished off the board behind Star Racer, Rager, and Irrefutable on February 10. Rounding out the field is Dr Pescado, who won the Golden Nugget Stakes as a 2-year-old but has failed to win in five starts since. He draws the rail for his 2023 debut.

9 races conclude the racing week at Golden Gate. First post is 1:15 PM.

Race 8 on Sunday (Second level allowance for 4-year-olds at up at six furlongs)

#1 Dr Pescado (Jockey Cristobal Herrera…Trainer Felix Rondan)

#2 Executive Chef (William Antongeorgi III…Blaine Wright)

#3 Rager (Assael Espinoza…Tim McCanna)

#4 Lmlooknformischief (Irving Orozco…Faith Taylor)

#5 Torpedo Away (Alexander Chavez…Blaine Wright)

#6 Hey Mate (Evin Roman…Bill McLean)

#7 Irrefutable (Kevin Radke…Mike Lenzini)

#8 Larry’s Legend (Santos Rivera…Sammy Calvario)

#9 My Summer Dream (Armando Ayuso…O.J. Jauregui)

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week.

Friday

Race 2: Dick Best (New trainer Simon Hobson…New owner Amy Hobson)

Race 3: Unwhirled (Manny Badilla…Jerry Jamgotchian)

Race 4: Spun Beautiful (Isidro Tamayo…Frankly Speaking LLC)

Race 5: Hardly Mischievous (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables and Clay Sides)

Race 7: Vintage (Manny Badilla…Jerry Jamgotchian)

Race 8: Charbonneau (Andy Mathis…William Branch, Robert Jones and Mathis)

Saturday

Race 2: My Man Stan (Miguel Ramirez…Mark Freeman)

Race 2: Wild Billy D (Sammy Calvario…Bits N Bubbles Racing)

Race 3: Gordy’s Boy (Owner/Trainer Guillermo Preciado)

Race 6: Dress Rehearsal (Sammy Calvario…Johnny Taboada)

Sunday

Race 1: Gentleman’s Secret (Jonathan Wong…Madden Racing)

Race 3: Harbor Sky (Isidro Tamayo…John Tipton)

Race 7: Muay Thai (Owner/Trainer Victor Trujillo)

Race 7: Sierra Melody (Blaine Wright…Blaine D. Wright Racing Stables LLC)

FINISH LINES: Wild Billy D, a 3-year-old grey/roan gelding by Danzing Candy, broke his maiden in Saturday’s fifth race for owners Ray Pagano, Brian Delia and trainer Jonathan Wong. The California-bred was named after longtime Bay Area trainer Bill Delia, who passed away last year. Just like his namesake, Wild Billy D is a winner…A $112,000 carryover in the Pick Six on Mandatory Payout Sunday attracted a new money pool of $671,772. The sharp handicappers who hit 6 of 6 found themselves with a juicy payoff: $14,537.26. The Golden Pick Six jackpot pool begins anew this Friday…Along with the featured third race on Saturday, there are two additional allowance races. Race 7 is a first level allowance for filly and mare routers while Race 8 is a first level allowance for sprinters…Race 3 on Sunday is a prep for the $75,000 Camilla Urso Stakes on April 29 for filly and mare sprinters. Entered in Sunday’s third: Always Seeking, looking for her fifth win a row, 3-time stakes winner Slack Tide, 2022 California Oaks winner Anthony’s Cleopatra, multiple stakes placed router Buyback and stakes placed sprinter Carolina Mia…Santa Anita Handicap winner Stilleto Boy remains on course for the $1,000,000 Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 22. Last Sunday morning, the son of Shackleford clicked off four furlongs in an easy 50.40 seconds at Golden Gate for trainer Ed Moger Jr…Also from the Moger Jr. barn, El Camino Real Derby winner Chase the Chaos worked a half mile on Saturday in 51 seconds. It was his first morning drill since a seventh-place finish in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita. Chase the Chaos is listed as “possible” for the $100,000 California Derby on Gold Rush Weekend Saturday…Heading into the final day of racing in March, Assael Espinoza has the most wins out of any jockey at the current meeting with 49 trips to the winner’s circle. Armando Ayuso has 37 wins in second place while William Antongeorgi III rounds out the top 3 with 34…Trainer Jonathan Wong has a 39-26 lead over Isidro Tamayo in the trainer standings. Jack Steiner is 8 behind Tamayo with 18 victories.

MANDATORY PAYOUT IN GOLDEN PICK SIX WAGER HIGHLIGHTS SUNDAY CARD AT GOLDEN GATE FIELDS

Golden Gate Fields will offer a mandatory payout this Sunday, March 26, in the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager. The Golden Pick Six is a 20-cent minimum bet and consists of the last six races on the card. This Sunday, the sequence goes as races 4 through 9.

Heading into Friday’s eight race program, the Golden Pick Six jackpot carryover sits at $95,472. If there fails to be a single ticket jackpot winner after the next two race days, the carryover amount for mandatory payout day Sunday will be in the six-figures.

“We are hopeful our pick six will be well received,” said Golden Gate Fields Vice President and General Manager David Duggan.  “We truly appreciate our dedicated horseplayers who continue to support Golden Gate Fields.”

First post on Sunday is 1:15 PM.

AMERICAN FARMER GIVES BREEDERS, CO-OWNERS BKB STABLES A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE

Jerry Haugg, a third-generation farmer, began claiming, owning, and breeding horses with his wife Brenda close to a decade ago. He named his racing operation BKB Stables. “BKB” represents the first letter of Brenda’s name, and the first initials of the two daughters they brought into the world, 18-year-old twins Kiana and Bianca. At peak, the Haugg’s owned close to 30 horses-a collection of broodmares, babies, and horses of racing age. To date, they have downsized to one, sole equine member of the family: American Farmer.

American Farmer, out of the Quiet American mare Farmer’s Wife, picked up his second lifetime stakes victory in the feature race last Saturday at Golden Gate, the inaugural McCann’s Mojave Stakes for California-bred or sired 4-year-olds and upward.

“We’ve won about 60 races,” said Haugg from his home in South Maui, Hawaii earlier this week. “This was the best one by far. Nothing has topped this. I’m still on Cloud 9.”

American Farmer, owned in partnership by the Haugg’s and trainer Steve Sherman, has earned over $300,000 since beginning his racing career in 2019. Along with the McCann’s Mojave win, other career highlights include a runner up finish behind Azul Coast in the 2020 El Camino Real Derby and a victory in the Robert Dupret Derby that same year.

Haugg, who traveled with the whole family from Hawaii to watch American Farmer compete last Saturday, reminisced not only on Saturday’s win, but of his family’s journey with American Farmer.

“This has been about teaching my daughter’s life lessons, and it’s been a wonderful family experience,” said Haugg. “‘Farmer is a lesson of perseverance, patience, and waiting for your time to shine.”

The story of American Farmer begins when his older full sister, Blue Diva, was born. At the time, the Haugg’s owned Farmer’s Wife, the dam of Blue Diva and American Farmer who the family claimed during her racing days at Turf Paradise in Arizona.

“We got into racing because of my wife’s love for horses. She loved Secretariat,” said Haugg. “I’ve always been fascinated by the pedigrees of the horses. I was enamored with Bluegrass Cat and his A.P Indy bloodline, so when Farmer’s Wife became a broodmare, we bred her to Bluegrass Cat. We brought her right back to [Bluegrass Cat] for a second time because Blue Diva was so correct and so beautiful. That’s how we got American Farmer. So, if we didn’t have ‘Diva, we would have never had gotten ‘Farmer.”

Blue Diva raced for BKB Stables for the first half of her career. She was eventually claimed from the Haugg’s and returned one start later to win a stakes race for her new connections.

“These things happen,” said Haugg. “Let me tell you…it took a while to get over. I was pretty bummed out, to be honest. But you know what? We all picked ourselves back up. At the end of the day, we were happy for Blue Diva. She’s in foal to Candy Ride now. We wish her and the people who take care of her all the best. And now look how ‘Farmer has done? He’s been such a blessing, and we are so grateful. All of these experiences can teach us something.”

Jerry was quick to praise trainer Sherman and jockey Billy Antongeorgi III for American Farmer’s success.

“Billy’s ride on American Farmer? I mean…perfection,” said Haugg. “He rode him great. What a phenomenal person and jockey. Steve has done a phenomenal job with ‘Farmer. I never tell Steve what to do. He makes all the decisions. He’s a terrific horseman, and he’s a great guy who keeps me and my family involved even though we let him do his thing on his own. Whatever Steve thinks is right for the horse, we support him. We’ve known Steve and his dad Art for quite some time. They’re a wonderful family.”

Jerry says his daughters are “enamored” with Southern California. With that, they will be attending Loyola Marymount College in Los Angeles next fall. Jerry and Brenda, as of late, have also decided to move back to the Golden State. And although family will always come first for Jerry, he is not ruling out owning more horses in the future. If Jerry does, he says, he’ll be supporting the California breeding program.

“The California breeding program is great for owners,” said Haugg. “The incentives are a huge bonus, obviously, and there are a lot of good, stakes races you can win if you’re lucky enough to own a horse of that caliber.”

Luckily for the Haugg’s, the last chapter has not been written for American Farmer. There are more races for him to run, though the next afternoon appearance for the 6-year-old is still up in the air.

“Knock on wood, he’s come out of the race in good shape so far,” said Haugg. “Steve will watch him train and then we’ll come up with a game plan.”

TRIBAL NATION LOOKS TO BUILD ON LAST START AFTER SHOWING VERSATILITY 

At Golden Gate Fields, California-bred or sired horses are eligible to win at the first level allowance condition twice. 5-year-old gelding Tribal Nation pulled off an eye-catching win at the aforementioned level when opening up 10 lengths down the backstretch in a November 12 heat, only to miraculously hold off stakes caliber rivals Kings River Knight and Royal ‘n Rando for a three-length score.

Off such a monstrous effort, trainer Andy Mathis gave Tribal Nation two months to recover. Luckily, this was the first time that Tribal Nation had won (or competed) at the first level condition, meaning he could keep running at the level until he won a second time. Tribal Nation made his 2023 debut in, yes, a first level race, on January 15. That day, he attempted to emulate the same race he ran in November. The result was different however, and he got nailed in the final strides of the race. He wound up third, beaten just a length.

Jockey Assael Espinoza opted to rate Tribal Nation in his next start, also at the first level condition on February 26. He sat second, took the lead by a narrow margin in midstretch, and was beaten by a whisker, this time finishing a centimeter behind race winner Kodiaction. Although the loss might’ve been a tough pill to swallow for some, Mathis was pleased to see Tribal Nation put up a top-notch effort after sitting off a pacesetter, something he had not done in his last 11 starts.

“He had never rated and run well like that before,” said Mathis. “I think both riders [on the top two finishers, including Tribal Nation] rode smart races that day.”

In the featured eighth race this Saturday at Golden Gate, Tribal Nation is entered back in a first level allowance, still in search of a second lifetime win at the level. Other speedy routers are signed on: Lil Miracle Man does his best work on the front end while Stone’s River, who only finished a head behind Tribal Nation for second on February 26, is another who has been the quickest of his competitors in all the races in which he was won.

“I think the key is playing the break,” said Mathis. “The last time [Tribal Nation] won, he went 1:10 and change, so I’m not concerned if he’s going fast. We just don’t want to be going head and head and dueling with another horse going too fast. If he breaks well and can get the lead, we’re going to take it, but he can rate if somebody wants to go too fast.”

Tribal Nation certainly has the pedigree to be a decent horse. By Grade 1 winner Papa Clem, he is out of the mare Tribal Feathers, who produced stakes winner Tribal Storm, stakes placed racers Tribal War Chant and Tribal Impact, and 2 other winners.

First post on a nine-race card this Saturday is 1:15 PM.

Race 8 (First level allowance for 4-year-olds and up at one mile on the Tapeta)

#1 Chief Wild Eagle (Jockey Frank Alvarado…Trainer Tim McCanna…Morning line odds of 12-1)

#2 Conundrum (William Antongeorgi III…Mike Lenzini…6-1)

#3 Lil Miracle Man (Brayan Pena…Victor Trujillo…20-1)

#4 Tribal Nation (Assael Espinoza…Andy Mathis…9-5)

#5 Sugar Beets (Santos Rivera…Monty Meier…15-1)

#6 Gallant Warren (Irving Orozco…Tim Bellasis…8-1)

#7 Stone’s River (Evin Roman…Reid France…5-2)

#8 Crosby Beach (Assael Espinoza…Michael McCarthy…9-2)

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week.

Friday

Race 1: Let George Do It (New trainer Jack Steiner…new owners Remmah Racing Inc.)

Race 2: Danzigs Star Storm (Ed Moger Jr…Terrance McFarlane)

Race 5: Northern Jewel (Ed Moger Jr…Al P. Pitchko)

Saturday

Race 2: Truly Fabulous (Ed Moger Jr…Al P. Pitchko)

Race 4: Grigoro (Ed Moger Jr…Al P. Pitchko)

Race 4: Lady in a Hurry (Isidro Tamayo…Johnny Taboada)

Race 5: Tiz an Edventure (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Race 8: Affirm Chief (Jose Puentes…Luciano Medina and Jose Saldivar)

Sunday

Race 1: Argentina Cries (Ed Moger Jr…Al P. Pitchko)

Race 1: Saxon Saga (Ed Moger Jr…Terry McFarlane and Bill Meikle)

FINISH LINES: 2021 Grade I Pacific Classic winner Tripoli beat last year’s Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap victor Lammas in a thrilling stretch duel in Race 5 last Sunday. The margin of victory was a nose. Tripoli and Lammas both earned 89 Beyer speed figures for their efforts…American Farmer also earned an 89 Beyer for his triumph in the McCann’s Mojave…Last Sunday morning, the Ed Moger Jr. trained Stilleto Boy had his first workout since winning the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap on March 4. The son of Shackleford breezed a half mile in 51.40 seconds…The signature race of the day on Sunday is Race 5: a first level allowance for 3-year-olds fillies at one mile. Southern California invader Happy Gal faces the well-bred Delusively, well regarded Mastery Kat, and three others…Along with the $95,472 Golden Pick Six jackpot carryover on Friday, there is a Rolling Super High Five carryover of $5,599 in the next race on Friday where said wager is offered…The VALT Golden Gate Cars and Culture Show returns this Sunday, March 26 in the large, north end parking lot. For more information and or to purchase tickets, please go to Goldengatefields.com and visit the VALT Cars and Cultures Events page.

TAMAYO HAS BEST SHOT YET TO PICK UP FIRST CAREER STAKES WIN IN INAUGURAL MCCANN’S MOJAVE STAKES  

When trainer Isidro Tamayo was a youngster, thinking he’d be a stake winning trainer one day may have just seemed like a crazy dream. Heading into this weekend’s McCann’s Mojave Stakes, that dream is as close as it’s ever been to reality. On Saturday, Tamayo saddles 4-year-old gelding Crazy Dreams (see what we did there) in the inaugural $75,000 McCann’s Mojave Stakes for California-bred or sired 4-year-olds and up at nine furlongs on the Tapeta. The McCann’s Mojave is one of a trio of races added to the Winter/Spring meet stakes schedule this year. Crazy Dreams is the second favorite on the morning line at 9-5.

Crazy Dreams has run his best races in his last two afternoon appearances. Two starts ago, he was a better than looked third behind some of the top local horses on the grounds: graded stakes winner Freeport Joe and a second stakes winner in I’mgonnabesomebody. In his most recent start on February 19, Crazy Dreams stalked the pace, took the lead at the top of the stretch, and held off a late charge from 2022 Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap winner Lammas in the final sixteenth of a mile.

“We took the blinkers off him late last summer and he’s learned to relax since then,” said Tamayo. “He’s a super smart horse. That’s one of the things I really like about him. I’ve always really liked this horse. He’s now just putting it all together.”

Tamayo, who trains over 60 horses at Golden Gate, believes that the mile and an eighth for Crazy Dreams is well within his scope.

“I think he’ll be okay,” said Tamayo. “[Jockey] Irving Orozco knows this horse. He’ll make the decisions [on where to place him early in the race].”

Orozco has ridden Crazy Dreams in his last three races and retains the mount for Tamayo and owner/breeder Paddy Brogan.

Four other challengers take on Crazy Dreams in the McCann’s Mojave. One of them, 5-year-old gelding Jimmy Blue Jeans, won the Snow Chief Stakes at Santa Anita as a 3-year-old. His last win came a year ago, in March of 2022, beating a second level allowance field in gate to wire fashion. Runner up in the Crystal Water Stakes and Sam Spear Memorial last year, Jimmy Blue Jeans makes his second start in 2023 after an off-the-board finish sprinting. Assael Espinoza rides for trainer Andy Mathis and owners Perry Bruno, John Gezon, and Robert Jones.

Installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite, American Farmer is obviously a legit threat to take home the gold medal. On February 19, Amercan Farmer was sent off as the 9-5 second choice in the wagering behind Lammas. He ended up finishing two and a half lengths behind race winner Crazy Dreams. His winning effort two starts ago, a victory over next out second level allowance winner Mr. Impossible, is fast enough to win the McCann’s Mojave. William Antongeorgi III and Steve Sherman team up for owners BKB Stables LLC and Sherman.

Old-pro Ward ‘n Jerry has battled for minor awards in his last two starts against first level allowance company and takes a legit bump up in class in the McCann’s Mojave for trainer Steve Specht, who employs go to rider Frank Alvarado to hop aboard once more. Among the 10-year-old gelding’s career highlights include a win in the 2020 San Luis Rey (G3) at Santa Anita and a Grade 2 placing in 2019. He has accrued lifetime earnings just shy of a half million dollars for breeders Larry and Marianne Williams, who have owned Ward ‘n Jerry for all 33 lifetime starts.

Bobby’s Alibi completes the field. The Faith Taylor trainee was fifth home in the El Dorado Shooter Stakes sprinting and tries the two-turn game for the first time in a couple years. Robert Jones owns the son of Curlin to Mischief.

The McCann’s Mojave is named after the California-bred millionaire owned and bred by Santa Anita Publicity Director Mike Willman. At Golden Gate, McCann’s Mojave won the Grade 3 All American and Grade 3 Berkeley in 2007 and 2008, respectfully. He was victorious in the Sunshine Millions Classic in 2007, The California Cup Classic in 2005, and the Grade 2 Potrero Grande Breeders Cup Handicap in 2004. The son of Memo won seven stakes in a 7-year career, with five other lifetime wins. His career earnings read $1,513,565.

Nine races are on the docket this Saturday at Golden Gate, with first post at 1:45 PM.

Race 7 on Saturday (The $75,000 McCann’s Mojave Stakes for 4-year-olds and up at one mile and a sixteenth on Tapeta)

#1 Ward ‘n Jerry (Jockey Frank Alvarado…Trainer Steve Specht…Morning line odds of 6-1)

#2 Jimmy Blue Jeans (Assael Espinoza…Andy Mathis…5-2)

#3 Crazy Dreams (Irving Orozco…Isidro Tamayo…9-5)

#4 American Farmer (William Antongeorgi III…Steve Sherman…8-5)

#5 Bobby’s Alibi (Alexander Chavez…Faith Taylor…10-1)

2022 GOLDEN NUGGET STAKES WINNER CLOVISCONNECTION MAKES 3-YEAR-OLD DEBUT FRIDAY

3-year-old gelding Clovisconnection never lost in a pair of sprints as a 2-year-old last year. The California-bred son of Vronsky broke the maiden in his career debut on October 2 and returned a little less than a month and a half later to win the Golden Nugget Stakes. Not a bad way to kick off a career, eh?

After setting blistering fast fractions in his route debut, the Gold Rush Stakes, Clovisconnection tired in the final furlong and hit the line fifth best. The race was won by Santa Anita stakes winner Passarando, with eventual El Camino Real Derby winner Chase the Chaos rounding out the exacta.

After the route try, trainer Blaine Wright opted to give Clovisconnection time off.

“He needed a little break after his last start. He got 30 days to relax, put some weight on, and fill out a bit,” said Wright. “There will be some good races later in the spring and summer for him. We’re right on schedule.

I knew it was a trap to throw him in that route race,” continued Wright. “It’s hard to properly train a horse in just [3 weeks] for the changes we asked him to adapt to [going from a sprint to a route, going up against more seasoned horses, etc.]. I think he’ll be a solid router.”

Clovisconnection returns with five timed morning works-a half mile drill and four 5-furlong trials-and begins his 2023 campaign in the featured sixth race on Friday, a first level allowance at six furlongs.

“He galloped out six furlongs the other morning in 1:14,” said Wright of his most recent morning workout. “He’s acting like he’s feeling good. I’m really satisfied with how he’s working. It’s a good race on Friday. [Talk About Autism] is an up-and-comer. Clovis needs to run well to win.”

Talk About Autism, the morning line favorite in fact, has racked off back-to-back starter allowance wins while earning strong speed figures. The son of Raised a Secret is trained by white-hot Sammy Calvario. Purchased by owner Johnny Taboada for $2,500, the Washington bred has won 3 of 4 lifetime starts with career purse earnings of $35,820.

Trainer Victor Trujillo saddles two entrants in the sixth race on Friday. Piper’s Causeway was a $20,000 claiming winner against state-breds on February 11 and tries allowance company for the first time. Earlier in the year, the son of Point Piper was a decisive victor against a starter allowance group. Stablemate Idaho Once was an open length winner against maiden special weight foes at Sacramento last summer and returned to finish second behind Passarando in a first level allowance sprint on September 3. Like Clovisconnection, Idaho Once makes his 3-year-old debut in Friday’s sixth race. He sports two fast workouts amongst a steady series of morning drills leading up to this race.

King Adrock moves from Southern California conditioner Luis Mendez’s stable to the barn of Reid France at Golden Gate. After a first-out win at Keeneland as a young 2-year-old in April, King Adrock failed to be competitive in a pair of stakes races. Following a fourth month layoff, he returned in January and won a 1,000-yard sprint against allowance company at the nighttime Los Alamitos meet. He has since finished off the board in two other allowance races.

First time starter Egon faces a tough task ahead of him. A first-time starter in against proven winners, the other Reid France trainee drilled the second fastest of seven works recorded at the six-furlong distance on March 4. As a yearling, Egon failed to meet his reserve at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale when potential buyers reached a high bid of $350,000. By Ghostzapper, Egon is out the Grade 2 winner Nashoba’s Gold, who herself is a half sibling to three-time Grade I winner Nashoba’s Key. Egon races for owner/breeder Williamson Racing LLC and picks up the services of leading rider Assael Espinoza.

8 races kick off a 3-day race week at Golden Gate. First post time is later than usual on Friday at 2:15 PM.

Race 6 on Friday (First level allowance for 3-year-olds at six furlongs)

#1 Idaho Once (Jockey Santos Rivera…Trainer Victor Trujillo…Morning line odds of 6-1)

#2 Piper’s Causeway (Brayan Pena…Victor Trujillo…7-2)

#3 Clovisconnection (Kevin Radke…Blaine Wright…3-1)

#4 King Adrock (Armando Ayuso…Reid France…5-1)

#5 Talk About Autism (Cristobal Herrera…Sammy Calvario…9-5)

#6 Egon (Assael Espinoza…Reid France…6-1)

PACIFIC CLASSIC WINNER TRIPOLI SHIPS IN TOWN FOR SUNDAY ALLOWANCE

2021 Grade I Pacific Classic winner Tripoli has competed over dirt and turf. He has yet to train or race over a synthetic surface. That changes this weekend, when Tripoli competes on Sunday in Race 5, an open allowance for 4-year-olds and up at one mile on the Tapeta.

A son of Kitten’s Joy owned by Hronis Racing LLC, Tripoli has been trained throughout his 22-race career by John Sadler. Since his last start, Tripoli has trained in Southern California under Sadler’s conditioning program before Sadler ultimately decided to ship his Grade 1 winner north for Sunday’s race. In the days leading up to his Sunday run, he trains and competes under the care of local conditioner Andy Mathis and his team.

So far, Tripoli has earned $924,460, with 4 wins, 4 seconds and 3 third place finishes. Leading up to his Golden Gate debut, he exits stakes company. In January, he crossed the wire fifth in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes. His last race in 2022 resulted in a fourth-place finish as the 4-5 favorite in the $200,000 Zia Park Championship at Zia Park in New Mexico. Local rider Armando Ayuso has the call aboard the 6-year-old horse.

One of the four entrants Tripoli must beat is local contender Lammas, winner of the Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap in November. Since then, the European bred has lost as the favorite twice at this level: a subpar fourth place finish on January 15 and a neck loss to Crazy Dreams one month later. The aforementioned rival is the second choice on the morning line in the $75,000 McCann’s Mojave Stakes on Saturday.

Like Lammas, the Tim McCanna trained Long Lance was defeated in his two most recent afternoon appearances as the off-odds favorite. Both efforts, however, were very respectable. On January 14, he finished second behind McCann’s Mojave Stakes morning line favorite American Farmer and earned a career high 92 Beyer speed figure for the effort. In his most recent start, Long Lance was second home behind Southern California invader Mr. Impossible.

Seattle Bold makes his first start off a $32,000 claim for a new ownership group and trainer Steve Sherman. Kicking off his 2023 after a five-and-a-half-month layoff last time out, the son of Bold Chieftain placed fourth in a sprint race. He gets back to the route game on Sunday-something he has had success at in the past. As a 3-year-old, Seattle Bold was the runner up in the two-turn Silky Sullivan and Alcatraz Stakes. Both efforts were on the turf.

Completing the field is Harmon, third behind Crazy Dreams and Lammas on February 19. Although he has run well on dual surfaces, 6 of 8 lifetime wins for Harmon have come over the Golden Gate Tapeta main track.

Sunday’s 9 races complete a 3-day race week. First post is 1:45 PM.

Race 5 on Sunday (Open allowance for 4-year-olds and up at one mile on Tapeta)

#1 Tripoli (Jockey Armando Ayuso…Trainer Andy Mathis)

#2 Harmon (William Antongeorgi III…Monty Meier)

#3 Lammas (Kevin Radke…Manny Badilla)

#4 Long Lance (Frank Alvarado…Tim McCanna)

#5 Seattle Bold (Evin Roman…Steve Sherman)

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week:

Thursday

Race 1: Jaycee (New trainer Simon Hobson…new owner Amy Hobson)

Race 3: Heat N Reheat (Isidro Tamayo…Johnny Taboada)

Race 6: Two Twelve (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables)

Race 7: Baby Frankie (Jose Puentes…Luciano Medina)

Saturday

Race 1: Kitten Calls (Manny Badilla…Jerry Jamgotchian)

Race 3: Alexander’s Dream (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing)

Race 3: Holiday Hustle (Tim McCanna…Pat LePley)

Race 6: I’m Dr O (Owner/Trainer Sammy Calvario)

 

Sunday

Race 1: Dad Bod (Jack Steiner…Gary and Deborah Lusk)

Race 1: Pollo d’Oro (Jamey Thomas…Lamonte Isom)

FINISH LINES: Assael Espinoza continues to lead the way in the jockey standings with 44 wins, 14 more than Armando Ayuso and Alexander Chavez, both tied for second…Jonathan Wong has the most wins out of any trainer at the current meeting with 33 victories. Isidro Tamayo sits in second place with 22 trips to the winner’s circle…Always Seeking and Carolina Mia, the one-two finishers in an open allowance sprint race on Sunday, are listed as probables for the Camilla Urso Stakes on Gold Rush Weekend Saturday, April 29…Last year’s Camilla Urso winner Sadie Bluegrass worked 3 furlongs on March 12, her fourth workout of the year. She has not raced since an off the board finish at Del Mar in July…Along with the McCann’s Mojave Stakes on Saturday, Race 5 is a salty second level allowance for filly and mare routers at one mile. Miss America Stakes winner Tiz an Edventure draws the rail for trainer Jack Steiner and runs against five others. Among them is Trojan Clubhouse, seeking her eighth win in a row for trainer Reid France. Others entered are the Manny Badilla trained pair of Madeira Wine and Signorina Merisi, and the Steve Sherman trained duo of Rev Ree and Undisturbed…$75,842 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six jackpot wager heading into Friday’s 8-race card. The Golden Pick Six begins in Race 3 on Friday.

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS MOVES FRIDAY LIVE RACE CARD TO THURSDAY CITING PROJECTED WET WEATHER

Golden Gate Fields track officials announced late Monday morning that the decision has been made to move the Friday, March 10 live race card to Thursday, March 9 out of an abundance of caution, and in consultation with industry stakeholders. The national weather service is forecasting high winds and heavy rain for the Bay Area on Friday.

8 races are on the program for the now-Thursday live race card at Golden Gate. First post time remains at 12:45 PM. Santa Anita Park, also running on Thursday, has an 8-race card with first post at 12:30 PM. With both California tracks in play on Thursday, the Golden Hour Double and Late Pick 4 wagers will be offered.

HOMETOWN HERO/BIG CAP WINNER STILLETO BOY RETURNS TO GOLDEN GATE

Sent off at an overlay price of 13-1 last Saturday at Santa Anita, 5-year-old gelding Stilleto Boy stalked the pace before outkicking Grade I winners Proxy and Defunded to win the 2023 edition of the illustrious Santa Anita Handicap. Stilleto Boy, given a masterful ride by Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux, won the $500,000 contest by a neck.

On Sunday afternoon, Stilleto Boy had already occupied a van and was traveling along the I-5 freeway back to Golden Gate Fields, where he has been training since the fall. As a 4-year-old last year, Stilleto Boy trained at Santa Anita and Del Mar. Trainer Ed Moger Jr., who purchased Stilleto Boy for his brother, owner Steve Moger, for $420,000 as a 3-year-old, hauled Stilleto Boy to and from ‘the Great Race Place’ himself.

Along with Stilleto Boy, the Moger trained pair of Chase the Chaos and Tarantino raced on Big Cap Day and were back home at Golden Gate by Sunday evening. El Camino Real Derby winner Chase the Chaos was a non-threatening seventh against a tough field in the Grade 2, $400,000 San Felipe Stakes for 3-year-olds while Tarantino, who raced in a second level allowance on the turf, finished second. Both will regroup at Golden Gate before their next starts are determined. Reported by Santa Anita’s Victor Ryan, Stilleto Boy could make his next start in either the $1 million, Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 22 at Oaklawn Park or the $1 million, Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap on June 10 at Belmont Park.

STAKES WINNER COOL MOUNTAIN LAD MAKES 2023 DEBUT IN SATURDAY FEATURE

2022 Oak Tree Sprint Stakes winner Cool Mountain Lad makes his first start of the year in the featured fourth race on Saturday, a second level allowance for older sprinters. The five and one-half furlong contest drew a field of six. Respected by horsemen and fans alike at Golden Gate, the consistent 5-year-old son of Unionize has placed in the top 3 spots in 15 of his 20 lifetime starts.

Cool Mountain Lad, whose most recent trip to the winner’s circle came at Golden Gate on September 2, took time off after a pair of off-the-board finishes against stakes company. The last time he raced, he finished about 3 lengths behind Top Harbor in the Oakland Stakes on November 19. Trainer Victor Trujillo has prepped Cool Mountain Lad for his comeback run with five morning workouts.

One can easily find legit contenders signed up to tackle Cool Mountain Lad in Race 4 on Saturday. Trainer Tim McCanna saddles the two inside runners: Rager and Unraptured. Rager ran a very respectable race when placing second behind Star Racer, who has as good of form as any sprinter in the Bay Area right now. A similar effort from Rager would make him a major threat in Saturday’s fourth race. Like Cool Mountain Lad, Unraptured makes his first start of the year. In his last afternoon appearance, Unraptured finished third behind Cool Mountain Lad. The son of Uncaptured has always been well regarded by his connections and has competed in stakes races at Golden Gate and Woodbine Racecourse in the past.

Southern California invader Code Duello flew home from another zip code to win a first level allowance race at Santa Anita on New Years Eve. He returned five weeks later and ran fourth as the favorite in a second level allowance turf sprint, also at Santa Anita. The Craig Dollase trainee tries competing over a synthetic track for the first time and picks up the services of local rider Evin Roman.

War Games has won at this level before but finished off the board in his last two races at the condition. The Cliff Delima trainee is expected to be on the lead. C’Mon Man makes his first start off a $25,000 claim by trainer Jonathan Wong and takes a bump up in class while cutting back in distance.

9 races made the Saturday overnight. First post is 12:45. Healthy field sizes comprise the second half of the card. Race 6, which kicks off the Golden Gate Late Pick 4, drew a salty field. The list of contenders includes stakes placed Kiwi’s Dream, stakes winners Nolde and Our Silver Oak, allowance winners Black Caspian and Memo Daddy, and the Ed Moger Jr. trained pair of I’m Dr. O and Love Candy. Race 8, a first level allowance for filly and mare routers, drew a close to full field led by Southern California shipper Agreetodisagree and locals Momma Mocca, Naughty Nadine, and Vronsky Feint. Race 8 is the second leg of the Golden Hour Late Pick 4. The last leg of both the Golden Hour Late Pick 4 and Golden Hour Double is Race 9 at Golden Gate: a maiden special weight for 3-year-old fillies. A full field of 12 are entered.

Race 4 (Second level allowance for 4-year-olds and up at five and a half furlongs)

#1 Rager (Jockey Assael Espinoza…Trainer Tim McCanna)

#2 Unruptured (Armando Ayuso…Tim McCanna)

#3 Code Duello (Evin Roman…Craig Dollase)

#4 C’Mon Man (Edwin Gonzalez…Jonathan Wong)

#5 Cool Mountain Lad (Brayan Pena…Victor Trujillo)

#6 War Games (Alexander Chavez…Cliff Delima)

CLAIMS REPORT

Below is a list of claims from last week.

Friday

Race 1: Party Foul (New trainer Jonathan Wong…new owner MJVET Stables)

Race 2: Mystic Tbilisi (Reid France…Kendal King)

Race 4: Can’thelpfallin (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing)

Race 4: Sherilinda (Isidro Tamayo…Johnny Taboada)

Race 8: Practical Bid (Sammy Calvario…Huntertown Farm LLC and Calvario)

Saturday

Race 2: Auspicious Style (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing)

Race 3: Stanford Miss (Jack Steiner…Joe E. Burke)

Race 4: Conquest Rocks (Reid France…RKJ Stable)

Sunday

Race 1: Snow Hill (Owner/Trainer Isidro Tamayo)

Race 7: Daniella Bella (Guillermo Preciado…Danuario Ramirez Garcia)

Race 9: Berolijean (Owner/Trainer Felix Rondan)

Race 9: Night Proof (Isidro Tamayo…Johnny Taboada)

FINISH LINES: 3-year-old filly Bulletproof Too makes her career debut in Race 9 on Saturday for KMN Racing LLC and Victory Rose Thoroughbreds. She is a full sibling to three-time stakes winner Bulletproof One and stakes placed sprinter In Our A. Cristobal Herrera rides for trainer Ellen Jackson…$59,605 is carried over into the Golden Pick Six on Thursday…Nominations close on Thursday at midnight for the inaugural $75,000 McCann’s Mojave for California-bred or sired 4-year-olds and up at one mile and an eighth on Tapeta. The race will be run next Saturday, March 18…Assael Espinoza leads all riders in the jockey standings while Jonathan Wong continues to hold the lead in the trainer standings…Simulcast wagering will be offered at Golden Gate on Friday for horseplayers in the Bay area who wish to watch and wager with us on track.

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS MOVES FRIDAY LIVE RACE CARD TO THURSDAY CITING PROJECTED WET WEATHER  

Berkeley, Calif. (Monday, March 6, 2023)-Golden Gate Fields track officials have announced late Monday morning that the decision has been made to move the Friday, March 10 live race card to Thursday, March 9 out of an abundance of caution, and in consultation with industry stakeholders. The national weather service is forecasting high winds and heavy rain for the Bay Area on Friday.

8 races are on the program for the now-Thursday live race card at Golden Gate. First post time remains at 12:45 PM. Santa Anita Park, also running on Thursday, has an 8-race card with first post at 12:30 PM. With both tracks in play on Thursday, the Golden Hour Double and Late Pick 4 wagers will be offered.