by Matt Dinerman

Santa Anita and former Golden Gate Fields track announcer Michael Wrona explained The 2016 Breeders Cup Classic stretch run best: “A pulsating, climax to the classic…ARROGATE TAKES THE LEAD AND WINS!” The two best dirt horses on the planet, #1 Arrogate and #12 California Chrome, started off a two-race rivalry in the ‘Classic, which turned out to be one of the best races of the year (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVY3sP7_wv0). A sequel to that rivalry takes place this Saturday in The $12,000,000 Pegasus World Cup, with a dozen runners assembling to take part in the world’s richest race.

We all know what 6-5 morning line favorite #12 California Chrome can do. In this capper’s opinion, he has a better chance of beating #1 Arrogate at a mile and an eighth than he did at a mile and a quarter. In the Breeders Cup Classic, California Chrome went to the lead immediately and was there pretty much the entire way…. that is, until he was eventually run down in the final strides by Arrogate. This time we’ll probably see ‘Chrome’ stalk the pace and try to run by the aforementioned rival. ‘Chrome has a very high cruising speed and will go when Victor Espinoza pushes the button, so that’s a positive.

Post position 12 is not an easy place to win from. According to Daily Racing Form writer Marcus Hersch, since 2006 there have been 18 races where a horse broke from post position 12 going a mile and an eighth on dirt at Gulfstream Park. Just one horse has won from that post; that one horse was the very talented Big Brown, who won The Florida Derby in 2008 and went on to win The Kentucky Derby and Preakness. That said, California Chrome is much faster than most of the horses to his inside, so assuming he breaks well, he should have enough early zip to cross over and get solid position heading into the first turn.

7-5 morning line second choice #1 Arrogate breaks from post position 1. Like his main competitor, Arrogate also does not have a desirable post position. A long striding horse with a high cruising speed like Arrogate needs to run freely, and he could be taken out of his element if he’s caught behind a pack of horses heading into the first turn. Arrogate doesn’t break slowly, but he tends to take a few strides to get into rhythm, so it’s no secret he’ll be ridden aggressively out of the gate. Expect jockey Mike Smith to send HARD in an effort to have him forwardly placed.

Based on that, my guess is that Smith is going to try and take this field gate to wire, similar to what he did in The Travers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HMyD7svqEI). On Travers Day, Arrogate also broke from post position 1.

It’s also worth noting that no horse has been able to run by ‘Chrome in the final furlong of a race since the spectacular Shared Belief did it in February of 2015, when he won The San Antonio Invitational. It takes a superstar to run by a horse like California Chrome in the final furlong, but Arrogate did it. HOWEVER, remember this race is a mile and an eighth, so if for some reason Arrogate is behind California Chrome once again, he’ll have one less furlong to run down the 2016 Horse of the Year. He needed every bit of ground to do so in The Breeders Cup.

At the end of the day, my pick is #1 Arrogate. If he can get to the lead, I think he’ll be very tough to run down. I would love to see California Chrome go out a winner and it would be an incredible moment for all who have admired his sensational talent. That said, I think Arrogate could be one of the greats….he just might be THAT good.

Place a wager, sit back, relax, get out the popcorn and enjoy the race! Hopefully it’s a race worth remembering for a long, long time.

 

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (Saturday, January 21, 2017) – The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters announced this evening that California Chrome, winner of the Dubai World Cup and the TVG Pacific Classic, and North America’s all-time leading money earning Thoroughbred, was voted as Horse of the Year, an honor which he also won in 2014, at the 46th Annual Eclipse Awards ceremony at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

The Eclipse Awards, honoring excellence in North American Thoroughbred racing, presented by The Stronach Group, Daily Racing Form and the Breeders’ Cup, are voted on by the NTRA, Daily Racing Form (DRF) and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters (NTWAB).

California Chrome becomes the first two-time Horse of the Year to win the honor in non-consecutive years since John Henry achieved it in 1981 and 1984. Owned by California Chrome LLC of Perry Martin and Taylor Made Farm, and trained by Art Sherman, California Chrome received 202 first-place votes for Horse of the Year. Juddmonte Farms’ 3-year-old Arrogate, who was named Outstanding 3-year-old Male, finished second with 40 votes; Fox Hill Farms’ 3-year-old filly Songbird finished third with five votes and Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith’s Highland Reel (IRE), received one vote. Songbird was voted the unanimous winner of the 3-Year-Old Filly Eclipse Award earlier this evening.

California Chrome, who was also named the unanimous winner of the Older Dirt Male award, won 7 of 8 starts in 2016, including dominant victories in the $10 million Dubai World Cup and the TVG Pacific Classic, and propelled him to become the all-time leading North American money earner with $14,502,650.

Arrogate was spectacular in securing the 3-year-old title under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. A son of former 2-year-old champion Unbridled’s Song, Arrogate won the Travers Stakes by 13 ½ lengths, in 1:59.36, the fastest time in the 147-year history of the race. Eight weeks later he wore down California Chrome to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  Arrogate is the seventh Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old trained by Baffert.

Songbird, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, won seven of eight starts last year on her way to Champion 3-Year-Old Filly title. Among her wins were grade one victories in the Santa Anita Oaks, the Coaching Club American Oaks and the Cotillion Stakes. She lost the only race of her career when defeated a nose to the champion Older Dirt Female winner Beholder in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

The complete list of 2016 Eclipse Awards winners and vote totals appears below:

(Horse ages in parentheses where applicable; Country codes indicate a foreign breeding designation)

Two-Year-Old Male: Classic Empire

Two-Year-Old Filly:  Champagne Room

Three-Year-Old Male:  Arrogate

Three-Year-Old Filly:  Songbird

Older Dirt Male:  California Chrome (5)

Older Dirt Female: Beholder (6)

Male Sprinter:  Drefong (3)

Female Sprinter: Finest City (4)

Male Turf Horse: Flintshire (GB) (6)

Female Turf Horse: Tepin (5)

Steeplechase Horse: Rawnaq (IRE) (9)

Owner: Juddmonte Farms, Inc.

Breeder: WinStar Farm LLC

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Apprentice Jockey: Luis Ocasio

Trainer: Chad Brown

The Eclipse Awards

Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon the Thoroughbred horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements have earned them the title of Champion in their respective divisions. The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-Century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts, including eight walkovers. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom Derbies.

Voting Overview

In voting that concluded January 3, 2017, Eclipse Awards voters cast their ballots to rank the top three horses and individuals in each Championship division on a 10-5-1 point system basis. This voting established the top three finalists in each division, whose names were released on Jan. 5, 2012. The tallies below represent only first-place votes from members of the consolidated voting entities, NTRA, Daily Racing Form and National Turf Writers And Broadcasters. The votes were tabulated and certified by Strothman and Company.

Voter participation rate: 248/264= 93.94%

Two-Year-Old Male (Name, First-Place Votes)

Classic Empire, 248.

Two-Year-Old Filly

Champagne Room, 202; New Money Honey, 21; Lady Aurelia, 11; Pretty City Dancer, 5; Shane’s Girlfriend, 3; Abel Tasman, 2; Miss Sky Warrior, 2; Victory to Victory, 1; Voter Abstentions, 1.

Three-Year-Old Male

Arrogate, 243; Exaggerator, 2; Nyquist, 2; Gun Runner, 1.

Three-Year-Old Filly

Songbird, 248.

Older Dirt Male

California Chrome, 248.

Older Dirt Female

Beholder, 246; Stellar Wind, 2.

Male Sprinter

Drefong, 199; Lord Nelson, 29; A.P. Indian, 20.

Female Sprinter

Finest City, 185; Haveyougoneaway, 20; Paulassilverlining, 13; Taris, 12; Carina Mia, 11; Constellation, 2; Lightstream, 1; Songbird, 1. Voter Abstentions, 3.

Male Turf Horse

Flintshire (GB), 137; Highland Reel (IRE), 76; Tourist, 32; Da Big Hoss, 1. Voter Abstentions, 2.

Female Turf Horse

Tepin, 225; Found (IRE), 11; Queen’s Trust (GB), 7; Lady Eli, 2; Miss Temple City, 2; Catch a Glimpse, 1.

Steeplechase Horse

Rawnaq (IRE), 171; Top Striker, 31; Special Skills, 2; Bob Le Beau (IRE), 1; Portrade (IRE), 1. Voter Abstentions, 42.

Owner

Juddmonte Farms, Inc., 134; Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, 45; Klaravich Stables, Inc., and William Lawrence, 17; Spendthrift Farm, LLC, 17; California Chrome, LLC, 16; Reddam Racing LLC, 4; Fox Hill Farms, Inc. 3; John Oxley, 3; WinStar Farm, 2; End Zone Athletics, 1 Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc., 1. Voter Abstentions, 5.

Breeder

WinStar Farm, LLC; 164; Clearsky Farms, 62; Juddmonte Farms, Ltd., 4; Darley, 3; Perry Martin and Steve Coburn, 3; Adena Springs, 2; Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, 1; Machmer Hall, 1. Voter Abstentions, 8.

Trainer

Chad Brown, 208; Bob Baffert, 21, Mark Casse, 11; Art Sherman, 3; Steve Asmussen, 2; Karl Broberg, 1; Todd Pletcher, 1. Voter Abstention, 1.

Jockey

Javier Castellano, 146; Mike Smith, 44; Jose Ortiz, 41; Florent Geroux,12; Irad Ortiz, Jr., 2; Julien Leparoux, 1. Voter Abstentions, 2.

Apprentice Jockey

Luis Ocasio, 182; Lane Luzzi, 34; Eric Cancel, 1; Ashley Castrenze, 1. Voter Abstentions, 30.

Award of Merit

The recipients of the Award of Merit, voted on by a panel of representatives from the three presenting organizations and previously announced, are Andrew Beyer and Steven Crist. The Award of Merit is presented to honor outstanding lifetime achievement in the Thoroughbred industry.

Media Eclipse Awards

Media Eclipse Awards also are given in the categories of photography, audio and multi-media Internet, news/enterprise writing, feature/commentary writing, national television-feature and national television-live racing programming to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing. The 2016 Media Eclipse Awards winners, determined by a judges’ panel for each category and previously announced, are:

Live Racing Programming – NBC Sports – “2016 Breeders’ Cup World Championships,” Billy Matthews, producer; November 5, 2016.

Television Features – ESPN – E:60; “Barnyard Buddies,”. Megan Anderson, Heather Lombardo, Tonya Malinowski and Mike Johns, producers; May 3, 2016.

Audio/Multi-Media and Internet – Daily Racing Form – “Time Bandits,” Jay Hovdey (writer), Barbara Livingston (photographer) and Molly McGill (videographer); June 6, 2016.

Writing – News/Enterprise – Natalie Voss “‘Something’s Wrong With My Brain’ – The Lurking Danger of Concussions for Jockeys,” Paulick Report. December 30, 2015.

Writing – Feature/Commentary – John Scheinman “Andrew Beyer: Rebel with a Cause,” Paulick Report. November 12, 2016

Photography – Tod Marks – “George & John Sloan Hurdle,” Chronicle of the Horse, Untacked; May 14, 2016.

About the NTRA

The NTRA, based in Lexington, Ky., is a broad-based coalition of more than 100 horse racing interests and thousands of individual stakeholders consisting of horseplayers, racetrack operators, owners, breeders, trainers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity, welfare and integrity of Thoroughbred racing through consensus-based leadership, legislative advocacy, safety and integrity initiatives, fan engagement and corporate partner development. The NTRA owns and manages the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance; NTRA.com; the Eclipse Awards; the National Handicapping Championship; NTRA Advantage, a corporate partner sales and sponsorship program; and Horse PAC®, a federal political action committee. NTRA press releases appear on NTRA.com, Twitter (@ntra) and Facebook (facebook.com/1NTRA).

Albany, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2017) — So Conflated shipped in from Southern California to bring back to back $100,000 California Derby victories to trainer Doug O’Neill. Ridden by Kentucky Derby winning jockey, Mario Gutierrez, the 1 and 1/16 miles was completed in 1:44.71. So Conflated sat just off the pace for the majority of the race before rallying to the lead to beat More Power to Him. Betting favorite Vending Machine and 6 to 1 Secret House fought for the lead early with blistering fractions of 24.18, 48.92, and 1:13.32 before fading in the stretch to finish last and second to last. So Conflated’s last win came as the result of a disqualification at Santa Anita on December 26 where he was placed first in his $56,000 Maiden Special Weight.

“We were pretty excited after the last race. I know it was a win by DQ, but he still showed real good promise in that race. I figured this track would suit him really good,” said Gutierrez, who had a near perfect trip all the way around. “Halfway through the race everything was according to plan, but from the 3/8 to the ¼ pole I started worrying a little bit because all of the horses were moving, so I waited for a hole, and thankfully one opened. When I asked him to go, he responded.”

Assistant trainer Leandro Mora has been working with this horse from the start alongside trainer Doug O’Neill. “He was a late bloomer. He was not a Nyquist type horse. We had to babysit this horse. He wasn’t a professional mentality. He has good quality we need to just put him on the right track and make sure he is doing the right thing. I would love to repeat what we did last year with Frank Conversation, but that’s up to the trainer and owner for what’s up next for him. This is horse can run on dirt and Derby fever is right around the corner. Why not us?” said Mora.

Tomorrow, January 22, will be Dollar Day with $1 Beers, $1 Hot Dogs, $1 General Admission, $1 General Parking, and $1 Programs. The Pegasus World Cup Invitational will be January 28. Come out and join us for the richest horse race ever run, $12,000,000 and California Chrome’s last race. Our Chinese New Year Celebration will be February 4; Golden Gate Fields will be offering $2 Tsingtao beer, Wokitchen Food truck, Red Envelope Giveaway of over $12,000 in vouchers and Lion Dancer entertainment.

$100,000 California Derby
Race 8 at Golden Gate Fields
Saturday, January 21, 2017 (Post time: 4:15 Pacific Standard Time)

Analysis by Matt Dinerman

The 2017 edition of the $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields features five runners shipping in from Southern California and three locals trying to win for the Bay Area faithful. Let’s take a look at each contender:

#1 SONATEER is still a maiden. His last race came on November 27, when he finished second behind a highly regarded runner (Royal Mo) at Santa Anita. His three-career route tries were all solid, in-the-money efforts. That said, he’ll need to pick up the pace to win it.

#2 ZAKAROFF broke his maiden impressively two starts back when sprinting five and one-half furlongs. In his most recent race (12/31/16) he made his first start going a route of ground and against winners. He sat in midfield, picked up the pace in the final furlong and finished third, a length and a quarter behind #3 More Power To Him. He gets a sixteenth of a mile more to negotiate today and maybe he can take a step forward in his second start going long. There’s upside here.

#3 MORE POWER TO HIM was the victor of that allowance race on December 31. Unlike #2 Zakaroff, this guy already had a couple of route races under his belt. Two starts back he ran a respectable third in The Gold Rush Stakes behind #6 Colonel Samson and broke his maiden three starts ago, at this distance. He’s improved with racing experience, but he’ll need to turn the tables on ‘Samson and beat some new shooters from Southern California.

#4 SO CONFLATED has only two starts. In his debut, he finished third behind American Anthem, who came back to lose a photo finish in The Sham Stakes (G1). Last time out, So Conflated finished second, a head behind a Bob Baffert runner named Dabster, but was declared the winner via disqualification. This will be So Conflated’s first try going a route of ground. His pedigree suggests he’ll love going farther and he runs like a horse who wants more ground. It’s also worth noting Dabster came back to win last week, which is a positive endorsement for So Conflated. He races for Reddam Racing, Doug O’Neill and Mario Gutierrez: the team who won last year’s California Derby with Frank Conversation.

#5 VENDING MACHINE was last seen winning The Eddie Logan Stakes on the lawn at Santa Anita. Usually turf runners transfer their form to the Golden Gate Tapeta nicely and this horse has run well on dirt and turf, so I’d imagine he’ll be OK on Tapeta too. The son of Hard Spun is a half sibling to the Grade I winner and million dollar earner Comma To the Top, so he’s bred to be nice, and his last few races have been terrific. In fact, three starts ago he won an allowance race and the second and third place finishers came right back to win. The morning line favorite for good reason.

#6 COLONEL SAMSON won the Gold Rush Stakes in early December, finishing in front of #3 More Power To Him. On January 7, he ran against Gormley and American Anthem in The Sham Stakes (G3) and was beaten by over 22 lengths. You can cross that last race out; it was against much tougher over a sloppy track, which he didn’t take kindly to. The quick turnaround is a minor concern and this is a little tougher field than what he saw in The Gold Rush last month, but he merits respect.

#7 SECRET HOUSE is the second runner shipping in from Southern California for trainer Doug O’Neill. This $125,000 sales purchase finished second in his most recent start, an allowance race for two-year-olds in October. He hasn’t been seen in almost three months and O’Neill is only 3 for 58 with runners making their first start off a 61-180 day layoff. This colt’s lone win came in his debut six starts ago, which was a four and a half furlong sprint all the way back in May. Hard to gauge.

#8 ABERDEEN ISLAND makes his first start against winners while also running in his first route race. He started off his career with a fourth place finish behind #2 Zakaroff and came back to win by a length and a quarter as the favorite in his second and most recent start to date. Now he’ll have to deal with winners who have route experience. This is a significant step up in class; not going to be an easy task.

THE PACE: There’s no confirmed front-runner so there will be some jockeying for position early on. #8 Aberdeen Island stretches out to two turns for the first time and sometimes these types are a little more forwardly placed than if they were in a sprint. #3 More Power To Him draws inside of other speed contenders, so he may be closer to the pace, similar to when he went to the lead in the Gold Rush Stakes. #7 Secret House should be within the top three early, considering he has shown speed in past starts and runners who are “fresh” sometimes show a little more early foot than they normally would. I’d expect the pace to be contentious, but not necessarily fast.

THE CLASS: #5 Vending Machine and #6 Colonel Samson are the two classiest horses. Each has a stakes win, something the others do not have.

Top Pick: #5 Vending Machine- Class of the field and the one to beat

Second choice: #4 So Conflated-I’m looking forward to seeing him run longer

Third choice: #6 Colonel Samsen- Looked good winning over this track in The Gold Rush

Longshot To Consider: #3 Zakaroff-Improving with racing experience; has talent

Win bet: #3 Zakaroff
Exacta Box: #3 Zakaroff and #4 So Conflated and #5 Vending Machine

2017 inductees to be honored at the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Banquet on Monday, April 24, 2017 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce it has selected the 2017 induction class. The inductees will be honored at the 38th Annual Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Banquet on Monday, April 24, 2017 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, Ca.

Each year, the Bay Area Sorts Hall of Fame (BASHOF) prepares a ballot and solicits votes from all major media outlets in the Bay Area. There are three ballots: Contemporary (after 1980), Veteran (Prior to 1980) and Distinguished Service. From the results of the ballots, 4-5 new inductees are selected annually. Through 2016, there have been 165 persons inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. We are very honored to present the following inductees for 2017.

 2017 Inductee Class

Russell Baze (Horse Racing)
Bill Cartwright (Basketball)
Carmen Policy (Distinguished Achievement)
Kerri Walsh Jennings (Volleyball)
Matt Williams (Baseball)

The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that began in 1979 with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce’s Sports Committee and Lou Spadia, former president of the San Francisco 49ers. Now in its 38th year and adhering to its goal of honoring local athletic legends in the name of benefiting youth sports, BASHOF has donated close to $4 million to youth sports programs in the Bay Area to over 600 youth organizations in the Bay Area.

We are very pleased to continue our tradition with the new 2017 Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame induction class.

Joe Fink Kevin O’Brien
Chairman President/CEO
415-405-0744

Golden Gate Fields will offer Holiday racing on Monday, January 16.  First post is slated to go off at 12:45 p.m. Gates will open at 10:00 a.m. for early bird wagering on the action taking place across the country.

Following the conclusion of the Holiday card, live racing will resume at Golden Gate Fields on Friday, January 20 and run through Sunday, January 22.

Derby season kicks off on Saturday, January 21 with the running of the $100,000 California Derby – a prep for the Grade III $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (to be contested Saturday, February 18).

ALBANY, CALIF. – The 99-day Golden Gate Fields Winter/Spring Meet will begin Monday, Dec. 26 with racing conducted four days a week through June 18.

Regular post time will be 12:45 p.m. every race day with five exceptions: 12:15 p.m. on Dec. 26 (Opening Day), 11:15 a.m. on Feb. 5 (Super Bowl Sunday), and 11:45 a.m. on May 6, May 20, and June 10 (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont).

Golden Gate will conduct twelve stakes races during the Winter/Spring Meet, highlighted by the three GIII races: $200,000 El Camino Real Derby on February. 18; GIII $100,000 San Francisco Mile on April 29; GIII $100,000 All American on May 29.

Notable events for the Winter/Spring Meet are our annual Wall Calendar giveaway that will take place on New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1; on Saturday, February 4, come celebrate the Year of The Rooster at Golden Gate Fields and receive a red envelope filled with a mystery mutual voucher that may be worth $500; Join us this St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17, for your chance to win $100,000 in our annual Horseshoe Pitch Contest. Entries and drawing will be done that day; online packages for the Kentucky Derby experience and the Belmont Wine Festival will be available on our website: www.goldengatefields.com. Lastly, beginning April 30, enjoy live music on Dollar Days with bands from around the Bay Area performing between the races until the end of the Meet, June 18.

Receive admission coupons for Saint Patrick’s Day at the El Camino Real Derby on Saturday, February 18 and admission coupons for the Belmont Wine Festival on Saturday, May 6, during the Kentucky Derby.

General and Clubhouse admission are $6 and $10, respectively. Turf Club admission is $12 on Thursdays and Fridays and $15 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Frequent admission discounts and lower pre-paid rates are available to THOROUGHBREDS club members. Every Friday is Senior Friday, with free clubhouse admission offered to THOROUGHBREDS club members 62 years and older. The popular Dollar Day is held every Sunday, with Golden Gate offering $1 general admission, $1 general parking, $1 programs, $1 beers, $1 sodas, and $1 hot

The Winter/Spring Meet racing/post time schedule
Week 1 (Dec. 26-Jan 2): Monday 12:15 p.m., Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m., Monday 12:45 p.m.
Week 2 (Jan. 6-8): Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.
Week 3 (Jan. 12-16): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m., Monday 12:45 p.m.
Week 4 (Jan. 20-22): Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.
Week 5 (Jan. 26-29): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.
Week 6 (Feb. 2-5): Thursday 12:45 a.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 11:15 a.m.
Week 7 (Feb. 9-12): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.

Week 8 (Feb. 16-20): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m., Monday 12:45 p.m.

Week 9 (Feb. 24-26): Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.

Week 10 (March 2-5): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.

Week 11 (March 9-12): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.

Week 12 (March 16-19): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.

Week 13 (March 23-26): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.

Week 14 (March 30-April 2): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.

Week 15 (April 6-9): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.

Week 16 (April 14-16): Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.
Week 17 (April 21-23): Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.

Week 18 (April 27-30): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.

Week 19 (May 4-7): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 11:45 a.m., Sunday 1:15 p.m.

Week 20 (May 11-14): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 1:15 p.m., Sunday 1:15 p.m.

Week 21 (May 18-21): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 11:45 a.m., Sunday 1:15 p.m.

Week 22 (May 25-29): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 1:15 p.m., Sunday 1:15 p.m. Monday 12:45 p.m.

Week 23 (June 2-4): Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 1:15 p.m., Sunday 1:15 p.m.

Week 24 (June 8-11): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 11:45 p.m., Sunday 1:15 p.m.

Week 25 (June 15-18): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 1:15 p.m., Sunday 1:15 p.m.

Albany, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2016) — Lady Valeur, shipped in from Southern California by trainer Patty Gallagher, ran the others down in the stretch to win the $50,000 Miss America stakes by 1 and ¼ lengths. The race was for fillies and mares, threes years old and upward, at a distance of 1 and 1/16 miles and was completed in 1:43.35. Lady Valeur was well placed just off the speed by jockey Ricardo Gonzalez and waited until mid-stretch to rally to the front and then held off the others with a driving finish. “The ride played out beautiful. I sat right behind the speed just like we talked about and she relaxed really good for me. And I knew when she came to the stretch she was going to have a lot of run. She kind of waited for them and when they came she kicked back in. Trainer Patrick Gallagher said in the paddock that he thinks the 12 is going to clear and drop over and he did so I just sat right behind her. And it was beautiful,” said winning jockey Ricardo Gonzalez.

Mon Petite, ridden by Abel Cedillo, was never far back and came on late to take second. She was followed home by Hijra, who needed to swing wide for room, but still finished willingly for third with Catalino Martinez aboard.  Glory, a horse trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by lead jockey Juan Hernandez, set the pace all the way to the stretch but weakened quickly after the second turn and finished off the board. Lady Valeur paid $4.40 for her efforts today.

Trainer Patty Gallagher instructed Ricardo Gonzalez to let Lady Valeur run her race and it couldn’t have worked out any better. “Ricky rode her very good, it was nice. He put her in a perfect spot and after that she was good enough. We thought today if someone wants to go then let her stay comfortable if she is in and run her own race,” said Gallagher. The race, originally scheduled for the turf, was switched to the Tapeta due to rain, but this didn’t affect Gallagher’s decision to run. “Turf to dirt is a big gamble and it has been for years. But turf horses seem to take to this course and just run on it like it is grass.”

Tomorrow, December 11, will be closing day of the Fall Meet and Dollar Day with $1 Beers, $1 Hot Dogs, $1 General Admission, $1 General Parking, and $1 Programs. Live racing will resume for the Winter/Spring Meet on December 26 and run through June 18. Opening week will be highlighted with the annual Wall Calendar giveaway on January 1.

Albany, Calif. (Dec. 4, 2016) — Fast and Foxy, with jockey Catalino Martinez aboard, spent no time waiting for the group as she took off in the stretch to win by 4 ½ lengths. Trained by Holly Evans, Fast and Foxy, is the winner of the inaugural $75,000 Bear Fan stakes race named by Racing Secretary, Patrick Mackey. The race was for California bred or California sired fillies and mares three years old and upward. The race leader took the victory in a wire to wire performance in 1:09.48 proving herself much the best. Favorites, Desert Steel and Toomuchisnotenough, never offered closing responses and placed 3^rd and 4^th respectively. Light One circled five wide to the stretch, but still managed to get the nod over Desert Steel to place 2^nd. Fast and Foxy paid $14.60 for today’s effort.

Catalino Martinez hadn’t ridden the horse before, but had ridden against the horse and knew its style. “I saw the two and the five horse had a lot of speed so Holly told me send it and if they go with you it is nothing to worry about. And when they took back I saw I was in the lead and it was perfect. Then at the 3/16 pole I knew I still had a lot of horse and they would have to run to beat me. I was loaded and she was still wide open even at the end,” said Martinez.

This is Holly Evans’ second stakes race victory; she picked up her first in Santa Rosa with Sing and Tell. “She likes this track and it has been hard to hold her on the ground. I knew she was going to have speed today,” said Evans. Fast and Foxy had traveled down to Santa Anita, but didn’t do well and returned to Golden Gate Fields to rest. “She needed a vacation, she’d been running a long time. She just needs a jockey who will leave her alone and let her run.”

Next week, December 8-11, will be closing weekend of the Fall Meet. The weekend will be highlighted by the $50,000 Miss America on Saturday and a Mandatory Payout on Sunday. The pick six pool is currently at $47,000. Dollar Day is every Sunday at Golden Gate Fields with $1Beer, $1 Hot Dog, $1 General Admission, and $1Program. Golden Gate Fields will be running until December 11^th. The First Post time Thursday – Sunday is at 12:45 PM.

Albany, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2016) — Juan Hernandez captured his third stakes race victory of the 2016 Fall Meet aboard Colonel Samsen in the $75,000 Gold Rush. Trained by Eoin Harty, Colonel Samsen, though never far back from the lead, was caught behind Tipo Duro. Hernandez had to wait patiently for his move, but in mid-stretch the opportunity came and he ducked inside Aqua Frio and More Power To Him to close hard for the victory. Tipo Duro dueled with More Power To Him for the lead until the ¼ pole, but was out kicked in the stretch and then gave way. The mile race for two year olds was completed in 1:38.59 with favored 9-to-5 Colonel Samsen paying $5.60.

Juan Hernandez, winning jockey of both the $75,000 Pike Place Dancer and the $50,000 Golden Nugget, celebrated his third stakes victory today and remains atop the jockey leader board with 32 victories for the Fall Meet, claiming over $580,000 in purses. “I expected more speed in the race because it looked like a lot of the horses were coming from sprints. But then when the gate opened, the pace was slow. My horse was pulling hard and wanted to go, but I didn’t have anywhere to go on the backside. So I waited for my move on the stretch. The horse responded very well. And we won. He’s a nice horse, a very nice horse,” said Hernandez. Hernandez had a hat trick on the day.

Runner up jockey, Kyle Frey, still looking for his first stakes victory of the Fall Meet, finished strong, but was caught by Hernandez to finish ½ a length back from the winner. “My horse gave an amazing effort, it’s such a classy horse. It’s too bad, we kind of got out front too early then I was looking for a second and Juan came. Just one of those things, timing. But I tired, and the horse gave an honest effort,” said Frey.

Tomorrow, December 4^th, is the inaugural running of the $75,000 Bear Fan stakes race. Dollar Day is every Sunday at Golden Gate Fields with $1Beer, $1 Hot Dog, $1 General Admission, and $1Program. Golden Gate Fields will be running until December 11^th. The First Post time Thursday – Sunday is at 12:45 PM.