Albany, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2016)– In a well-timed ride by jockey Leslie Mawing, Stryker PhD, got up to win by a head over G. G. Ryder to capture the $100,000 GIII Berkeley Handicap. Trained by Larry Ross, Stryker PhD, rallied from last to first on the stretch to overtake Bronze Star and Southern Freedom; both were on the pace for the first five furlongs, but weakened quickly in the stretch. The 1 and 1/16 mile was completed in 1:43.67. Stryker PhD paid $4.60 and was favored by the betting community as a 13-to-10 shot by race time.

Mawing wasn’t at all surprised by the results. He knew the competition would be tough, but that Stryker PhD was going to produce the winning effort. “We clicked from the beginning. He’s got his own running style. He gives you that big quarter of a mile kick and that is just the way you got to ride him. I was so confident with today because he usually throws his antics prior to the race, sometimes he freezes up and won’t want to load. But this time he was pretty calm, cool, and collected. So I knew he was bringing his game face today. And I was pretty confident once that happened. When the gates opened I knew there was going to be some early speed, but I was patient and waited until he told me. This horse you have to wait for him to tell you. There was one time I came from 20 lengths behind to win the race by 3 lengths,” said Mawing.

Ricardo Gonzalez also gave an impressive effort up to the end, but the wire just couldn’t come soon enough for him.
“He ran so great. I knew the five horse, Stryker PhD, would be coming, so I was just hoping the wire would come up first, but we got caught in the final strides. He really gave me a strong finish,” said Gonzalez.

Trainer Larry Ross, knowing his horse was going to show late per usual, was happy to see him run as quick as he did today and wouldn’t want the excitement any other way. “He’s been a very cool horse and a lot of fun to train. Those closers like him always give you a thrill because you don’t know if they’re going to get there. When you have a closer like him, he just has to get there. Today, that’s about as close as you want it to get,” said Ross.

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 11th. The First Post time Thursday – Sunday is at 12:45 PM.

Albany, Calif. (Nov. 25, 2016)–In a thrilling finish Isa Firecracker with Alejandro Gomez aboard won by a nose over the favorite, Grand Prix ridden by Kyle Frey, to capture the $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante stakes race. Isa Firecracker, trained by Thomas Jamey, pressed the pace to the turn and went determinedly to the line. The six furlong race for two year old fillies was completed in 1:10.21. Zensational Dancer was sent out early for the speed, but was caught promptly in the stretch, setting up the duel between Isa Firecracker and Grand Prix. Jerry Hollendorfer’s Americana got started late and though willing to the end, was unable to get there in time, settling for third. Isa Firecracker was three-to-one at the start of today’s race and paid $8.20. “I had a lot of horse left and knew we were going to finish pretty strong. This is a good horse, a good fighter, and it never gave up,” said Alejandro Gomez.

Kyle Frey, who rode the runner up, wished he had a few more feet, but was happy with the way the horse handled.
“We broke a little quicker than I was hoping so I was up in all the commotion and I couldn’t really get back and around and outside. So I tried to force in there, but couldn’t really get to the spot to split them. We shot in at the top of the stretch and one more jump and we would have had them,” said Frey.

It was Jamey Thomas’ first stakes win as a trainer and the first horse Myles McMahon has bred in his 12 years as a horse owner. “You know she is not a big horse. She doesn’t have the biggest stride, but she has a big heart and she tries. The first time she ran she was stuck down on the rail, was in the one hole, but she overcame that too. And ran great,” said Thomas. Thomas isn’t sure if he will stretch her out in her next race, but he’ll definitely be keeping her at Golden Gate Fields where he feels she skips around nicely on the track.

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 26, will be the $100,000 guaranteed GIII Berkeley Handicap. Join us for Dollar Day on Sunday when it is $1 Beer, $1 Hot Dog, $1 General Admission, and $1 Program. Golden Gate Fields will be running until December 11th. The First Post time Thursday – Sunday is at 12:45 PM.

Albany, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2016)–A repeat performance of last year’s $50,000 Oakland Stake Race was given today by Star Student. Ridden by Julien Couton and trained by Dan Markle, Star Student did just what he was supposed to do; he held back following the pace, waiting to the very end to capture the victory by half a length. An early scratch in the day from Spirit Rules left today’s speedster, Quick and Silver, all alone with the pace, hitting the first pole in 21.78. Dream Saturday, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, was sent after him early on and the two horses led all the way until the turn, bumping and brushing repeatedly, until they both gave out. Stocking wide was Star Student who then rallied between the two rivals to cross the line in 1:09.03. Chasing with him were Indian Brut and Mah Gellin who finished respectively.

“I didn’t understand why everybody was kind of out at the first pole, but we all knew the pace was going to be a pretty fast fraction at the first pole and we just had to be patient, we had one way of going and it was to be patient. We needed one move from the 5/16 to the wire and he really put me right there to do that,” said Couton.

In a field of nine, Star Student left the gate at nine-to-two paying $11.40 when it was all said and done. Dan Markle in the winner’s circle was happy to have the race that fit Star Student perfectly lay out like planned. “I knew he had a lane to run into, so it was just up to the horse to get there. And Julien just kept riding him for every step he could out of him. And Julien just fit him perfectly. It was a real nice ride, and you have to give the horse a lot of credit for trying every step of the way. I wish I had more horses like him. He doesn’t get bothered in the paddock. And the post parade is a cakewalk for him. He doesn’t waste an ounce of energy. He uses it for the run down the lane. Luckily we won this race again,” said Markle.

Next weekend at Golden Gates Fields will be Stakes Weekend with the Golden Gate Debutante Friday and highlighted by the premier GIII Berkeley Handicap on Saturday. Tomorrow is Dollar Day where every Sunday it is $1 Beer, $1 Hot Dog, $1 General Admission, and $1 Program. Golden Gate Fields will be running until December 11^th. The First Post time Thursday – Sunday is at 12:45 PM.

Cassidy Burg (19) picked up her first victory today aboard Shy She Is Not on the turf at one mile. Riding predominately for Tim McCanna, this is Burg’s 21st mount at Golden Gate Fields under 12 different trainers. Burg, however, isn’t new to the racing scene; she got her start a few years ago as a groom at Pleasanton where she went on to gallop for many years. Burg moved to Golden Gate Fields this year to gallop and work horses for Tim McCanna, riding her first mount on October 20th. “She worked horses for me for over a year galloping. She’s never missed a day. Cassidy has a great attitude and horses run for her. I wouldn’t have put her on these horses if I didn’t have confidence in her,” said McCanna.

The jockeys, in their first win ritual, doused her in ice water on her way to the locker room. Applauds were heard throughout the grandstand as patrons have waited patiently for this victory. Speaking with Cassidy afterward she said it was everything she thought it would be. “I was hoping the day was today. I wanted it so bad. I got so close yesterday. I didn’t know this horse, but I’ve galloped for McCanna for almost a whole year. This was not a horse I had been on, but I was looking at her and I liked her. During the race, she was going real good, I had her nice and relaxed, and I asked her to go and when we hit the wire, I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it. It is actually how I pictured it would be. I’m still in shock. I’ve been dreaming about this for so long,” said Burg.

Burg’s breakthrough celebration didn’t last long as she still had two more mounts to complete and she was quick to say the battle had just begun and that just because you win one doesn’t mean you are going to win more. “I need to treat every race like it is my first race. You want to win every race. My goal was just to win one and now my goal is to win every race. That feeling is amazing. I just want to do that over and over again. That’s the name of the game. I just want to get back out there and do it again,” said Burg.

 

Leave the entertainment, and the cooking, to Golden Gate Fields on Thanksgiving Day, when the track by the Bay serves up an exciting holiday card.

First post will be at 11:15 a.m. and gates will open at 9:30 a.m. for early bird wagering on the racing action taking place across the country.

Fans looking to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal will want to make a reservation for the Turf Club for the annual Thanksgiving Day Buffet. Reservations may be made by calling (510) 559-7551.

Fall racing at Golden Gate Fields runs through Sunday, December 11.

Albany, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2016)–After hopping at the start, Right Hand Man, with Juan Hernandez up, captured Saturday’s $50,000 Golden Nugget Stake race by three lengths. Trained by Jeff Bonde, Right Hand Man, after an unfortunate break, recovered quickly, moving up to press the leader, Riser, ridden by Catalino Martinez. The field of five two year old colts went three wide into the stretch, with Silver Assault chasing the pace, digging in for second place. The official time for the six furlong event was 1:09.84.

Juan Hernandez has captured both stake races so far for the Fall Meet and will go for three on November 19 in the Oakland Stakes. “My horse broke a little slow, he moved right before the break. He recovered himself really quickly and then I was just behind the speed waiting for the stretch to make my move. When I asked the horse to go he responded very well,” said Hernandez.

Right Hand Man ran second in  Santa Anita’s Speakeasy Stakes on October 16 to California Diamond, who later went on to win the Golden State Juvenile Stakes.

Right Hand Man can be expected to face the three year olds and at a longer distance, for which he is bred, during his 2017 campaign. “When I took him behind the other horses, he relaxed pretty well. It wasn’t too tough for him. But you never know when they move up,” said Hernandez.

Trainer Jeff Bonde: “We bought him at the Barretts Sale last year. He’s a beautiful horse and we paid fair money for him ($120,000). We’ve always liked him and from day one he showed a lot of talent. He’s run really well every time, but that one (a sixth-place finish in the Santa Anita Juvenile). He’s bred to run farther than he has run and he’s also bred for the grass so we have options.  I don’t want to look ahead right now.”

Racign resumes tomorrow at Golden Gate Fields with the famous Dollar Day which offers fans $1 beers, $1 hot dogs, $1 general admission, and $1 programs.

The fall meet at Golden Gate Fields runs until December 11.

Albany, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2016)–In a driving effort, Simmy’s Temple, with Juan Hernandez up, prevailed by three-quarters of a length in Saturday’s stake race, the $75,000 guaranteed Pike Place Dancer at Golden Gate Fields. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Simmy’s Temple, breaking from post position one, in a field of five two year old fillies, was unhurried to the half and dug in gamely in the stretch to best 2-5 favorite Tapped ridden by Hall of Fame jockey, Mike Smith, and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. The official time for the 1 Mile event was 1:38.79.

Tapped, not far back at the half, was fanned four wide on the second turn, rallied to the lead and dueled strongly with Simmy’s Temple, but was bested late. Off at 6-1, Simmy’s Temple, paid $14.20. In addition it was winning jockey, Juan Hernandez’s third winner of the day.

Juan Hernandez, winning jockey aboard Simmy’s Temple (No. 1): “She broke really nice, sitting behind the speed. I was waiting all the race inside and then when I found my spot I put my horse in that hole and she responded well. She won the race and she finished strong.”

Mike Smith, second place jockey aboard Tapped (No. 5): “She had only run one time, this was a new track, her first time at two turns; the obvious you can give an excuse for, but other than that I can’t. If the horse is extraordinary then they can get the job done. She certainly has room to improve. So you just hope that she does.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Wednesday, October 19, 2016) – The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today that Golden Gate Fields, the historic Bay Area racetrack celebrating 75 years of racing in 2016, has earned reaccreditation from the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance.

Located in Berkeley, Calif., along the San Francisco Bay, the only major racetrack in Northern California opens its 32-day Fall Meet this Thursday, with live racing four days per week through Dec. 11. The Winter/Spring Meet will commence just over two weeks later, on Dec. 26.

The reaccreditation of Golden Gate Fields – owned and operated by The Stronach Group – was the culmination of a lengthy process that began with the track’s completion of an extensive written application and continued as the track hosted several meetings with Alliance officials. An on-site review included inspections of all facets of the racing operations. Interviews were conducted with track executives, racetrack personnel, jockeys, owners, trainers, veterinarians, stewards and regulators.

The inspection team was comprised of Jim Gates, racetrack operations consultant, former general manager of Churchill Downs; Ron Jensen, DVM, veterinary and regulatory consultant, former equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board; Mike Kilpack, security and integrity consultant, past chairman of the Organization of Racetrack Investigators; and Steve Koch, executive director of the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance.

Alliance certification standards address an extensive list of safety and integrity concerns within six broad areas: injury reporting and prevention; creating a safer racing environment; uniform medication and testing; jockey health and welfare; aftercare and transition of retired racehorses; and wagering security.

“Golden Gate Fields has been a proud member of the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance since receiving its first NTRA accreditation in 2010,” said Calvin J. Rainey, track vice president and general manager. “Golden Gate Fields continues to work with the NTRA to maintain the highest level of safety and integrity standards in the thoroughbred horse racing industry.”

Golden Gate Fields is one of 23 racing facilities fully accredited by the Alliance that together host 90 percent of graded stakes and generate 74 percent of North American pari-mutuel handle. The others are Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, Canterbury Park, Churchill Downs, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack, Gulfstream Park, Indiana Grand, Keeneland, Kentucky Downs, Laurel Park, Los Alamitos Race Course, Monmouth Park, Pimlico Race Course, Santa Anita Park, Saratoga Race Course, Suffolk Downs, Sunland Park, Turfway Park and Woodbine.

About the NTRA

The NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance is a standing organization whose purpose is to establish standards and practices to promote safety and integrity in horseracing and to secure their implementation. Corporate partners of the Alliance include Lockton Insurance and Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Information on the Alliance, including the Alliance Code of Standards, can be found at NTRAalliance.com.

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. – The 32-day Golden Gate Fields Fall Meet will begin Thursday, with racing conducted four days a week through Dec. 11.

Regular post time will be 12:45 p.m. every race day with three exceptions: 12:05 p.m. on Nov. 4 (Breeders’ Cup Day 1), 11:40 a.m. on Nov. 5 (Breeders’ Cup Day 2), and 11:15 a.m. on Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving).

Golden Gate will conduct eight stakes races during the Fall Meet, topped by the Grade 3, $100,000 Berkeley Handicap on Nov. 26. The race will be contested at a 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds and up.

The road to the El Camino Real Derby, Golden Gate’s primary Triple Crown prep race, will begin on Nov. 12 with the $50,000 Golden Nugget, a six-furlong event for 2-year-olds. The juveniles will then have the chance to stretch out Dec. 3 when Golden Gate presents the $75,000 Gold Rush at one mile.

There are two stakes for 2-year-old fillies: the $75,000 Pike Place Dancer at one mile on the turf Oct. 29 and the $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante at six furlongs Nov. 25.

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 dogs.

The races will be called by veteran announcer, Frank Mirahmadi, when fall racing begins. The affable announcer, known for his superb race calling and witty impersonations, brings over 20 years of professional experience to the bayside oval.

On Nov. 6, Golden Gate Fields will conduct a toy drive in conjunction with Toys for Tots. Patrons who bring a new, unwrapped toy will receive a coupon for free Clubhouse admission. Coupons also will be given to those who make a cash donation equal to or greater than the cost of Clubhouse admission ($10).

The Fall Meet racing/post time schedule
Week 1 (Oct. 20-23): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.
Week 2 (Oct. 27-Oct. 30): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 a.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.
Week 3 (Nov. 3-6): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:05 p.m., Saturday 11:40 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.
Week 4 (Nov. 10-13): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.
Week 5 (Nov. 17-20): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.
Week 6 (Nov. 24-27): Thursday 11:15 a.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.
Week 7 (Dec. 1-4): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.
Week 8 (Dec. 8-Dec. 11): Thursday 12:45 p.m., Friday 12:45 p.m., Saturday 12:45 p.m., Sunday 12:45 p.m.