GOLDEN GATE DEBUTANTE THE HEADLINER ON FRIDAY

One of two stakes races at Golden Gate Fields this week, the $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante for 2-year-old fillies, features a cast of nine entrants. The Golden Gate Debutante goes as Race 7 on an 8-race program this Friday and will be run at six furlongs on the Tapeta main track.

The 5-2 morning line favorite is local contender Misirlou, a full sibling to 2017 El Camino Real Derby winner Zakaroff. She has won three straight races, including a pair of allowance events, and boasts a perfect 3 for 3 record on Tapeta. Frank Alvarado has the call for trainer Steve Specht; they teamed up to win last year’s Golden Gate Debutante with Tomlin.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert ships the only Southern California based runner in the field, Eclair, who breaks from post position number 4 and is listed at 9-2 on the morning line. The well-bred daughter of Bernardini adds blinkers after an off-the-board finish routing against allowance company on the grass. Her only lifetime victory came sprinting on dirt against maiden special weight foes in September.

Stradari gets back to Northern California after a double-digit length loss in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita on November 1. The O.J. Jauregui trainee broke her maiden at Golden Gate Fields in her only other career race, a maiden special weight event last September. Julien Couton is slated to ride for the first time.

No Cover Charge and Shanghai Keely cut back from a route to a sprint after off-the-board finishes in the one-mile Pike Place Dancer Stakes on October 26. No Cover Charge set the pace before weakening to fourth while Shanghai Keely stalked the pace early on, suffered traffic issues in upper stretch and failed to recover after that. Both fillies have sprinted effectively in past starts.

Conditioner Reina Gonzalez saddles a pair of players in Smokin Hot Bobbie and Habobanero. Both equines are sired by regional stallion Coach Bob, who is co-owned by Gonzalez and Jeff Kitchen. Smokin Hot Bobbie finished second to Misirlou in her past two races while Habobanero ran fourth behind the aforementioned duo in a November 8 allowance.

Two recent maiden winners round out the field: supplemental entrant Say Yes Sally and California bred filly Mischievous Curlin.

$50,000 Golden Gate Debutante (Race 8 on Friday: post time 3:49 PM PT.)

#1 Stradari (6-1 morning line, Jockey Julien Couton, Trainer O. J. Jauregui)

#2 Shanghai Keely (8-1, Francisco Duran, Ari Herbertson)

#3 Say Yes Sally (10-1, Cristobal Herrera, Efrain Miranda)

#4 Éclair (9-2, Juan Hernandez, Bob Baffert)

#5 Smokin Hot Bobbie (15-1, Catalino Martinez, Reina Gonzalez)

#6 Habobanero (20-1, Silvio Amador, Reina Gonzalez)

#7 Mischievous Curlin (4-1, Ricky Gonzalez, Faith Taylor)

#8 No Cover Charge (6-1, Luis R. Reyes, Jonathan Wong)

#9 Misirlou (5-2, Frank Alvarado, Steve Specht)

FEATURE RACE OF THE FALL MEET, GRADE 3 BERKELEY HANDICAP, DRAWS 11

A strong field of 11 colts and geldings are entered to compete in the Grade 3 $100,000 Berkeley Handicap for three-year-olds and upward. The mile and a sixteenth main track event is the marquee race of the Golden Gate Fields fall meet every year and goes as Race 8 on a 9-race card this Saturday.

A number of Southern California stars are in the Berkeley lineup this year. Grade I winner Ohio makes his first start on the Golden Gate Tapeta for trainer Michael McCarthy after a 3 and a half-length loss in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita on October 5. Ohio’s last winners circle appearance came in March when he won the Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile. Jockey Julien Couton picks up the mount.

4-time Grade 2 winner Ashleyluvssugar is set to make his Tapeta debut in the Berkeley. The Peter Eurton trained gelding was last seen finishing behind Grecian Fire in the California Dreamin Stakes at Del Mar in August. Grecian Fire, also entered in the Berkeley, has proven Tapeta form, having won the Grade 3 All American at Golden Gate in May. He is currently under the care of Keith Desormeaux. Souter ships north for Mark Glatt after a runner up finish in a Keeneland allowance race while Grade 3 winner Majestic Eagle was a supplemental entrant for Hall of Famer Neil Drysdale. Majestic Eagle is also entered in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar on Saturday, however, and is very possible to scratch from the Berkeley.

One of the key class contenders is Grade I winner What A View, who makes his first start for Northern California conditioner Sherrie Monroe in this spot. He was previously trained by Phil D’Amato, who conditioned the California bred when he won the Grade 3 All American Stakes last year at Santa Anita. The 8-year-old son of Vronsky worked 3 furlongs over the Tapeta on Tuesday morning for the Monroe barn and is deemed “ready” by his connections.

Of course, local contenders are always game to take on potential heavy hitters from Southern California. The top Northern California based horse in this year’s Berkeley may be Mugaritz, who scored a front running victory in the Joseph T. Grace Stakes last month and tries to win his sixth race in a row. The Jonathan Wong trainee possesses tactical speed and a strong 4 for 6 record on Tapeta. Joseph T. Grace second-place finisher Camino Del Paraiso is also entered and adds blinkers for trainer O.J. Jauregui. Fall meet leading jockey Juan Hernandez has the call.

Synthetic specialist Lymebyrd has shown an affinity for the Golden Gate main track and makes his stakes debut on Tapeta. The same can be said for Grade 3 winner Brave Nation, cutting back in distance after a fourth-place finish in the mile and three-quarters Marathon Stakes on Breeders Cup Friday. Stakes winner My Friend Emma is a candidate to set the pace and completes the field.

$100,000 Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap (Race 8 on Saturday: approximate post time: 3:45 PM PT.)

#1 My Friend Emma (Jockey Silvio Amador, Trainer Jesus Ramos)

#2 Grecian Fire (William Antongeorgi III, Keith Desormeaux)

#3 Mugaritz (Ricky Gonzalez, Jonathan Wong)

#4 Souter (Frank Alvarado, Mark Glatt)

#5 Ashleyluvssugar (Brice Blanc, Peter Eurton)

#6 Lymbyrd (Francisco Monroy, Angelo Tekos Jr.)

#7 Majestic Eagle (Alejandro Gomez, Neil Drysdale)

#8 Camino Del Paraiso (Juan Hernandez, O.J. Jauregui)

#9 Ohio (Julien Couton, Michael McCarthy)

#10 Brave Nation (Catalino Martinez, Blaine Wright)

#11 What A View (Brayan Pena, Sherrie Monroe)

HERNANDEZ NAMED JOCKEY’S GUILD JOCKEY OF THE WEEK AFTER STELLAR WEEKEND

On Tuesday afternoon, leading fall meet jockey Juan Hernandez was awarded the Jockeys’ Guild Jockey of the Week award for November 18-24. The Jockeys’ Guild Jockey of the Week Award, sponsored by Foundationdetox.com, is a weekly honor given to one jockey in North America each week for outstanding achievements. The award is selected by a vote of representatives from well-respected media outlets including America’s Best Racing, The Daily Racing Form, Equibase, Horse Racing Nation, The National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association, the NTRA, the Jockeys’ Guild, Turf Publicists of America and TVG.

Through the recorded 7-day span, Hernandez made 12 winners circle appearances, which was the most wins by any North American jockey last week. The highlight of his week: a 5-win day on Saturday, including a pair of victories in two co-featured allowance races. Hernandez came back on Sunday and won three more races.

The native of Veracruz, Mexico has tabbed over 1,700 victories in a 10-year race-riding career. His career win percentage of 21% is considered well above average. Hernandez rode in his first Breeders Cup race earlier in the month when guiding 2-year-old colt Anneau D’Or to a second-place finish in the $2,000,000 Grade I Breeders Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park. In February, Hernandez finished first aboard Anothertwistafate in one of Northern California’s most prestigious races, The El Camino Real Derby.

At the current fall meet, Hernandez leads all Golden Gate Fields riders in wins with 38. Frank Alvarado holds the second spot in the jockey standings with 25.

FINISH LINES: In last Sunday’s allowance feature, 4-year-old gelding Passionate Reward broke the five and one-half furlong track record. The Isidro Tamayo trained sprinter stopped the clock in 1:02.41 seconds, beating the previous record by .14 seconds. Passionate Reward was claimed by his current connections for $20,000 and has won all three lifetime starts over the Golden Gate Fields Tapeta…Rolling Green Stakes winner Restrainedvengence was victorious in the Zia Park Championship at Zia Park on Wednesday. Congrats to trainer Val Brinkerhoff and owners Kelly Brinkerhoff and Bob Grayson Jr…Good luck to trainer Quinn Howey, who starts Pike Place Dancer winner Wise Rachel in the Grade 3 $100,000 Jimmy Durante Stakes on Saturday at Del Mar. The Allen Aldrich owned 2-year-old filly drew post position 7 of 14 in the one-mile turf contest. Joe Talamo is slated to ride…Another filly in the aforementioned race, Laura’s Light, broke her maiden in impressive fashion at GGF on November 2 and was privately purchased out of that run by trainer Peter Miller and owner Gary Barber…Also on Saturday at Del Mar, California Derby winner Kingly drew post 2 of 13 in the Grade 1 $300,000 Hollywood Derby. Mario Gutierrez hops back aboard for trainer Bob Baffert…One more tidbit for Saturday at Del Mar: Keeperof The Stars goes in the Grade 3 $100,000 Red Carpet Stakes for fillies and mares. Jonathan Wong conditions and Abel Cedillo rides…Speaking of trainer Jonathan Wong, he holds a 19-15 lead over Isidro Tamayo in the trainer standings. The top eight horsemen in the ‘standings have all won at high percentages this meet: Wong (21% win clip), Tamayo (31%), Bill Delia (24%), Blaine Wright (20%), Manny Badilla (28%), Steve Sherman (17%), Reid France (23%) and Felix Rondan (25%)…Happy birthday to trainer Ari Herbertson, who turns one year older on Monday…Golden Gate Fields offers a 20 Cent Golden Pick Six jackpot carryover of $27,266 this Thursday…PLEASE NOTE: we have a special early first post time of 11:15 AM PT on Thanksgiving Thursday…Leg B (the second leg) of the Stronach 5 wager this week goes as Race 2 on Friday afternoon. The Stronach 5 is an industry-low 12% takeout wager and a $1 minimum bet.

NEWS RELEASE

November 27, 2019

Contact: Hallie Roach Lewis (859) 759-4081 

THIRD ANNUAL RMTC HALTER AUCTION FOR TACTICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM STARTS MONDAY, DECEMBER 2

Beginning at 1 p.m. ET on December 2 and running for one week, the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC), an industry 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will auction off halters of history-making racehorses, stallions and broodmares on its eBay page.

All proceeds from this auction go to the RMTC’s Tactical Research Program, which funds studies focused on the identification and detection of illicit substances impacting racing integrity and safety.

In addition to funds from halter auctions in 2017 and 2018, the RMTC has received matching funds from private individuals and industry stakeholder organizations for specific research initiatives. To date, The Jockey Club, Jockeys’ Guild, American Quarter Horse Association, Keeneland Association, Breeders’ Cup and New York Racing Association have made significant contributions to studies funded through this program. In addition, earmarked funds have been committed by Churchill Downs Incorporated, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and The Stronach Group.

Areas of special interest for studies funded through the program include bisphosphonates in horses in racing and race training, performance-enhancing or performance-modifying substances, and emerging substances with potential health, welfare and/or integrity hazards.

“In just its second year, our Tactical Research Grant Program has already enabled our sport to make significant advances in targeting emerging threats and developing new techniques to test for them,” said RMTC Executive Director and COO Dr. Mary Scollay. “These studies are critical to protecting the health and welfare of our horses and strengthening the integrity of racing competition.”

Halters offered include: Arrogate, Awesome Again, California Chrome, Code of Honor, Corona Cartel (QH), Get Stormy, Ghostzapper, Groupie Doll, Keen Ice, Lady Eli, Lava Man, Littleprincessemma, Malibu Moon, Maximum Security, McKinzie, Midnight Bisou, Mucho Macho Man, Omaha Beach, Orb, Rachel Alexandra, Silver Charm, Songbird, Speightstown, Tapit, Undrafted, War of Will, Wise Dan, Yoshida and Zenyatta.

The RMTC extends heartfelt thanks to Adena Springs, Steve Asmussen, Bob Baffert, Bill Mott Racing Stable, Michael Blowen, Larry Bramlage DVM, Calumet Farm, Mark Casse, Claiborne Farm, Crestwood Farm, Fox Hill Farms, Gainesway Farm, Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms, Ann Holbrook, Juddmonte Farms, Lane’s End, Lazy E Ranch, Richard Mandella, Shug and Allison McGaughey, James P. Morehead DVM, Jerry Moss, Doug O’Neill, Daisy Phipps Pulito, Jason Servis, Spendthrift Farm, Stonestreet Farm, Mary Sullivan, Summer Wind Farm, Taylor Made Farm, Timber Town Stables, Wesley Ward, Gary and Mary West, Whisper Hill Farm and WinStar Farm, for their generous support of this initiative.

The RMTC consists of 23 racing industry stakeholders and organizations that represent Thoroughbred, Standardbred, American Quarter Horse and Arabian racing. The organization works to develop and promote uniform rules, policies and testing standards at the national level; coordinate research and educational programs that seek to ensure the integrity of racing and the health and welfare of racehorses and participants; and protect the interests of the racing public.

For additional information, visit the RMTC website at rmtcnet.com or contact Hallie Roach Lewis, RMTC communications and development consultant, at (859) 759-4081.

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Saturday November 23, 2019

Race 7 (Starter allowance going one-mile and a sixteenth, 12 entries): #4 SITH LORD (7-2 morning line) looks like the speed of the speed and makes his second start off a five-month layoff. He probably needed his last race, a fourth-place finish behind two runners who enter back in this spot, and could clear off on the front end. We give him the nod over #5 ELECTORAL (5-1), who comes off a better than looked third-place effort at this level for leading trainer Jonathan Wong. This colt is new to routing but has 2-turn pedigree all over: by VERRAZANO out of a multiple route winning mare that has produced two other winning foals, both whom were routers. #3 FRIDAY’S AT SHADY (10-1) gets back to routing after a dominant sprint win as a first-time gelding. He broke his maiden at a 2-turn distance, so we don’t feel the stretch out in ground will be an issue. Also using the second Wong entrant #6 PIONEEROFTHESTORM (4-1), impressive maiden winner #10 AMERICAN CAMP (10-1) and consistent gelding #12 RUSTIC CANYON (9-2) in a wide-open affair.

 

Race 8 (Maiden Special Weight going one mile on turf, 11 entries): We’ll be singling #5 A. P. PHAROAH (7-5) on our ticket. This son of Triple Crown hero AMERICAN PHAROAH was purchased for $300,000 as a yearling and has been working quickly (and reportedly very well) in preparation for this race. His second dam was a Grade I winner and his half-brother, MORENO, was a Grade I winning router himself. Trainer Blaine Wright is 2 for 3 with his trainees who debut at a mile or longer, so I imagine this colt will be fit enough to run a good race. The question is simply whether he is good enough to win…I think he will be!

 

Race 9 (Allowance optional claimer going one mile, 11 entries):  #6 GETTIN SIDEWAYS (6-1) makes her second start off a 5-month vacation and gets back to routing, which is what she does best. Her first race off the break, a fourth-place finish at this level sprinting, was decent given she was racing at a distance that is too short for her. Now she has a race in the current form cycle and should be ready for a big effort. #5 LITTLE DANCER (10-1) made her career debut on Tapeta at this condition earlier in the month and put up a respectable showing, finishing second behind a Southern California shipper. The Emerald Downs stakes winner merits respect. #10 PLEASE DO (3-1) must overcome a poor post position but figures to sit off a fast pace. Her best races come when she has speed to chase. In her most recent afternoon appearance, she finished second against tougher company while sitting close to a slow pace. Two others make the Pick 4 ticket: #2 BLUE DIVA (7-2), who finished right behind the third pick/morning line favorite last month, and Southern California shipper #8 NOBLE CONTESSA (4-1), a filly who broke her maiden over this track impressively in 2018. If #11 MUSIC BABE (7-2) draws into the race from the also eligible list, we will use her on the ticket as well.

 

Race 10 ($12,500 claimer going five and one-half furlongs, 10 entries): #7 MOMMY ROSE (5-2) lost by a neck at this level in her most recent start. That said, she failed to get out of the gates quickly that day and was forced to sit farther off the pace than she prefers. She gave herself too much to do. If she gets a more suitable trip, there is reason to believe she can win this time. #9 ROLINGA (3-1) takes a suspicious class drop: after winning a starter allowance over this track on October 24, she enters for a mid-level claiming tag. If she can duplicate last month’s victory, she probably beats this field, so it’s hard to leave her off the ticket. #1 SOCIAL ETIQUETTE (5-1) won at this level three races ago but has finished off the board in her last two starts against tougher company. The class relief back to this condition will help her, and note that jockey Juan Hernandez rode our top two picks in their most recent races but opts to hop aboard this gal. That’s interesting.

 

THE TICKET

50 Cent Late Pick 4 ($45)

R7: 3,4,5,6,10,12

R8: 5

R9: 2,5,6,8,10

R10: 1,7,9

 

TRAINER TAMAYO WINS 7 RACES IN 3 DAYS

Trainer Isidro Tamayo was all smiles Wednesday morning, days removed after a 7-win week which saw the 33-year-old conditioner springboard to second place in the trainer standings at the current fall meeting. Tamayo won a duo of races on Friday and Saturday before capping off his week with a 3-bagger on Sunday. In 2 of the 7 races that Tamayo won, he also saddled the second-place finisher.

“It was about as good of a week as you could have asked for,” said Tamayo. “I’m very lucky to have good help in my barn that works hard every day. My owners have been very supportive and I am very thankful for the opportunity to train their horses.”

Tamayo was born into a racing family. In fact, he entered the world on the property of Old English Rancho Farm where his father, Alfonzo Tamayo, was a longtime assistant for trainer Don Warren. Alfonzo also worked for trainer Lonnie Arterburn in a career caring for horses that lasted many decades.

In 2004, Isidro began working for longtime Northern California trainer Gil Matos as a hotwalker and groom. Three years later, Tamayo picked up his assistant trainer’s license and stayed with the Matos barn for an additional 10 years.

“I learned a lot from Gil and his crew,” said Tamayo. “Gil did not claim nearly as many horses as I do. He developed a lot of younger horses. I learned about how to be patient with younger horses and how to develop them into successful, improving racehorses over time.”

Isidro voyaged out on his own in 2017 and started out with 3 horses given to him by owner Graeme Chung, who is still a major supporter of the Tamayo barn. Tamayo has grown his stable from 3 horses to 50 in just about two years.

“I’ve picked up many owners along the way. We’ve claimed a lot of nice horses. This was the first year where I was given about a dozen 2-year-olds to train.”

Tamayo credits his father Alfonzo as a mentor.

“My dad is retired now but lives close to the track,” said Tamayo. “I always pick him up early in the morning and he comes to the barn with me and helps out during morning training. He’s taught me a lot about good horsemanship. I want to be in this business for the rest of my life. I love horses and I love what I do.”

JOCKEY LUIS R. REYES SHIPS TACK TO GOLDEN GATE

New York-based rider Luis R. Reyes will begin riding at Golden Gate Fields this weekend and has picked up the services of jockey agent Fernando “Shoes” Navarro, who will be handling his book. Reyes is named on 7 horses this Saturday.

“The process of Luis coming here happened very quickly-within a matter of days,” said Navarro. “I spoke over the phone with [New York jockey] Jose Ortiz, who is really good friends with Luis. Jose told me [Luis] is a good rider and he has talent, but he wanted to see his buddy get an opportunity somewhere else other than New York because [Luis] wasn’t getting as much business as he would have liked.”

No harm, no foul. The New York riding colony has arguably the strongest roster of jockeys in the United States, which makes it very difficult for any rider to break in there.

The 24-year-old Reyes is a graduate of the Escuela Vocacional Hipica jockey school in Puerto Rico, where he was born and raised. Other highly rated riders to graduate from the school include John Velazquez, Manny Franco, Jose Ortiz and his brother Irad. All four aforementioned journeyman riders are based in New York and sit at the top of their profession.

“I’ve watched replays. Luis looks great on a horse,” said Navarro. “He told me he is ready to work hard. People are genuinely interested in using him right away, which is a positive sign. I think he can do well here. He just needs to get the right opportunities. I think we’ve got some live mounts for him this week and hopefully we get the ball rolling with a few winners right off the bat.”

$100,000 GUARANTEED LATE PICK 4 POOL FEATURED ON EXCEPTIONAL SATURDAY PROGRAM

Golden Gate Fields management announced Wednesday afternoon that the bayside track will offer a $100,000 guaranteed Late Pick 4 pool on Saturday, which features a 10 race program and a first post time of 12:45 PM. The 50-cent minimum Late Pick 4 drew 44 horses in the 4-race sequence, which averages out to 11 horses per race.

The first leg of the Late Pick 4 sequence (Race 7) attracts a full field of 12 starter allowance runners. Post time for the mile and a sixteenth Tapeta contest is 3:45 PM PT, although that time is subject to change. The second leg (Race 8), a maiden special weight on the turf, drew ten 2-year-olds, with one also-eligible. #5 A.P. Pharoah is a well-regarded colt sired by Triple Crown hero American Pharoah who makes his career debut. The Peter Redekop owned equine was purchased for $300,000 by his current connections and will be ridden by trainer Blaine Wright’s go-to rider, Juan Hernandez. Also entered in the race is #1 Penman, trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Neil Drysdale, and #10 American Farmer, a full sibling to stakes-placed filly Blue Diva. Leg 3 (Race 9), a one-mile allowance on Tapeta for fillies and mares three-year-olds and upward, also drew a full field with an also-eligible. Among the leading contenders is (none other than) #2 Blue Diva, Pacific Northwest stakes winner #5 Little Dancer and Southern California shipper #8 Noble Contessa. The last leg (Race 10), lists a field of ten $12,500 claiming sprinters on the main track.

The Saturday program is enticing from beginning to the end. The first five races comprise the Early Pick 5 sequence, which is a 50 Cent minimum bet and a low 14% takeout wager. The Golden Pick Six Jackpot wager, a 20 cent minimum bet, starts in Race 5. 94 horses are entered on the 10 race program, which equates to over 9 horses per race.

FINISH LINES: Jockey Juan Hernandez leads in the jockey standings with 26 wins, 3 more than Frank Alvarado…Trainer Jonathan Wong has a 16-13 lead over Isidro Tamayo in the trainer standings…Leg D of the Stronach 5 wager goes as Race 3 at Golden Gate on Friday…Nominations for the Golden Gate Debutante (to be run Friday, November 29) and the Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap (on Saturday, November 30) close Thursday…Heading into Thursday’s card, there is an $8,895 carryover in the 20 Cent Golden Pick Six jackpot wager. The $1 Rolling Super High Five wager has a $9,015 carryover in Race 4, given 7 starters remain in the field…Good luck to jockeys Kevin Orozco and David C. Lopez. Orozco moved to Turf Paradise over the weekend and already won a race there on Tuesday while Lopez has relocated to Parx.

Berkeley, Calif. (November 16, 2019)-3-year-old gelding Baja Sur transferred his winning form from Emerald Downs to Golden Gate Fields in the feature race at Golden Gate on Saturday afternoon, displaying a lethal turn of foot down the stretch to win the $50,000 Oakland Stakes for sprinters 3-years-old and upward.

After breaking alertly from post position 2, Baja Sur dueled on the lead for the first quarter mile with eventual runner up finisher Sigur Ros. After conceding the lead to the aforementioned rival by the far turn, Baja Sur came on again in upper stretch, opened up on the competition late and finished the six-furlong contest 4 and a 1/4 lengths clear of Sigur Ros. 8-5 favorite Oiseau de Guerre could only manage to be third while Smokey Image, the longest shot in the field, rounded out the superfecta. Indian Zip, My Friend Emma and Quick and Silver completed the field.

“It looked like there was a lot of pace in the race,” said winning jockey Juan Hernandez. “I wanted to get him out of the gate and put him in a good spot. In the race, I saw Sigur Ros going at the far turn and I took back. [Baja Sur] relaxed pretty well for me at that point. I was waiting to make my move on the far turn but for a moment I didn’t think [Sigur Ros] would stop. When I asked my horse to go at the quarter pole, though, he moved really well to the wire to win. He is a very nice horse.

Winning trainer Blaine Wright was extremely pleased with his sophomore gelding’s performance.

“We knew early on this was a good horse,” said Wright. “He ran great at Emerald and we decided to test the waters in Northern California. He’s proven to be very good down here so I’m very thankful. Many thanks to the owners, John and Janene Maryanski and Riverbend Farm (Gayle and Gerald Schneider). Without them, I would have never gotten this horse.”

Baja Sur, a sale topper at the 2017 Washington Yearling Sale, won four races at Emerald Downs in Auburn Washington by a combined 21 lengths. His two-back effort, a second-place finish behind sharp Southern California gelding Fashionably Fast, was his first career loss. With the Oakland Stakes victory, Baja Sur improved his career record to 5-4-1-0 with career earnings of $136,800. The Washington bred son of Smiling Tiger is out of the mare Premo Copy, a stakes winner herself and dam of 7 other winners.

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OAKLAND STAKES DRAWS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SHIPPERS AND LOCALS

7 contenders sprint 6 furlongs on Tapeta in the feature race at Golden Gate this week: the $50,000 Oakland Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward. The Oakland is Race 7 on a 9-race program this Saturday and has a scheduled post time of 3:48 PM PT.

The morning line favorite is Oiseau de Guerre, who draws the rail post position for trainer Michael McCarthy. The son of War Front has won three races in a row-all over the Golden Gate Tapeta-and clearly has an affinity for the bayside track’s Tapeta course. He is expected to sit off the pace early and make one run late.

Baja Sur is campaigned by Blaine Wright and faces older horses for the second time in his career. The 3-year-old son of Smiling Tiger was sensational in four races at Emerald Downs to kick off his career but suffered his first career loss in lifetime start #5 last month in the Harris Farm Stakes, finishing three-quarters of a length behind older gelding Fashionably Fast. Baja Sur makes his first afternoon appearance on Tapeta but sports a pair of sharp five-furlong drills over the surface leading up to this race.

Trainer Jesus Ramos saddles a pair of contenders in Quick and Silver and My Friend Emma. The former gelding is a Tapeta specialist, with 16 of his 17 lifetime victories having come over the GGF main track. The latter is Grade 3 placed over the surface; he finished second in the All-American Stakes in 2018.

Another who thrives on Tapeta is the Andy Mathis trained Sigur Ros. The 5-year-old gelding by Gemologist possesses a 4 for 5 record over the course and has won his past two starts by a combined 10 lengths. Jockey Ricky Gonzalez was aboard for both races and retains the mount.

Indian Zip and Smokey Image round out the field. Indian Zip finished a half-length behind Oiseau de Guerre for the win in an October 26 allowance race while Smokey Image ships north for Southern California based trainer Carla Gaines after three straight off the board finishes on dirt.

Race 7 On Saturday: the $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante

#1 Oiseau de Guerre (2-1 morning line: Jockey Julien Couton, Trainer Michael McCarthy)

#2 Baja Sur (5-2: Juan Hernandez, Blaine Wright)

#3 Smokey Image (12:1: Catalino Martinez, Carla Gaines)

#4 Quick and Silver (8-1: Silvio Amador, Jesus Ramos)

#5 Sigur Ros (7-2: Ricky Gonzalez, Andy Mathis)

#6 Indian Zip (8-1: Frank Alvarado, Jack Steiner)

#7 My Friend Emma (6-1: Francisco Monroy, Jesus Ramos)

  

2018 GOLDEN GATE DEBUTANTE WINNER TOMLIN RETURNS IN SATURDAY ALLOWANCE  

Stakes winner Tomlin returned to her home base of Golden Gate Fields over the summer after a Midwest/East Coast campaign throughout the spring. This Saturday, she makes her first start off a five-month layoff for trainer Steve Specht.

Tomlin is entered in Race 5: an allowance sprint on Tapeta for fillies and mares three-years-old and upward. She drew post position six, with leading fall meet rider Frank Alvarado set to ride, and is listed at 8-5 on the morning line. Also entered in the race is synthetic specialist Left Alone (3-1 on the morning line), stakes winners Shasta Star (7-2) and Ima Happy Cat (6-1), stakes-placed mare Vronilla Parfait (4-1) and veteran Spring Heat (15-1). Post time for the fifth race on Saturday is 2:48 PM PT.

Tomlin began her career in the Specht barn, breaking her maiden in August of 2018 at Santa Rosa before winning a pair of sprint races in the fall of that year at Golden Gate: a first-level allowance for 2-year-old fillies and the Golden Gate Debutante. After the ‘Debutante victory, Tomlin was ambitiously placed in the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita. She did not disgrace herself or her connections, though, finishing third behind next out Grade I winner Bellafina.

After an off the board finish going two turns against stiff Grade I competition, Tomlin was moved to the stable of Donnie Von Hemel, where she ran third in the Purple Martini Stakes at Oaklawn Park in March. After the aforesaid run, she was transferred to a new trainer once more, this time to well-regarded horseman Mike Stidham. In two starts for Team Stidham, Tomlin ran third in the Miss Preakness Stakes at Pimlico (behind eventual Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Covfefe), and sixth in the Alma North Stakes going 7 furlongs at Laurel Park.

Tomlin is 2 for 3 on the Golden Gate Tapeta. She has 7 published workouts leading up to this race, including a six-furlong drill on November 2 and a bullet five-furlong breeze out of the gate in 1:00.40 seconds.

FRIDAY’S STRONACH 5 CARRYOVER OF 91K FEATURES GOLDEN GATE’S THIRD RACE  

$91,081 has been carried over into this week’s Stronach 5 wager, a Pick 5 sequence featuring all Stronach Group-owned tracks. The Stronach 5 is an industry low, 12% takeout wager and a $1 minimum bet.

Leg D (the second to last leg) goes as the third race at Golden Gate: a $12,500 claimer for 3-year-olds and upward routing one mile on the Tapeta. A competitive field of 9 are slated to compete in Leg D, with Van Cortlandt tabbed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite by GGF morning-line maker Steve Martinelli.

Below is the sequence and post times for the Stronach 5 wager this week:

Leg A: 6^th race at Gulfstream Park (11 entries, seven & ½ furlongs on turf) 12:51 PM PT

Leg B: 8^th race at Laurel Park (8 entries, one mile on dirt) 1:10 PM PT

Leg C: 9^th race at Laurel Park (10 entries, one mile on dirt) 1:40 PM PT

Leg D: 3^rd race at Golden Gate Fields (9 entries, one mile on Tapeta) 1:48 PM PT

Leg E: 8^th race at Gulfstream Park (11 entries, one mile and a sixteenth on turf) 1:54 PM PT

For the Stronach 5, if a change in racing surface is made after the wagering closes, each selection on any ticket will be considered a winning selection. If a betting interest is scratched, that selection will be substituted with the favorite in the win pool when wagering closes.

FINISH LINES: Trainer Bill Delia reports that Golden Nugget Stakes winner Bettor Trip Nick was in terrific shape just four days after the aforementioned gelding’s gate-to-wire victory. “He came out of the race looking like a million bucks,” said Delia. “Right now, I would like to keep him at one turn”…Good luck to jockey Kyle Frey, who ships his tack to Parx Racecourse in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. After Monday’s live race card, Frey was sixth in the GGF jockey standings with 11 wins…In other jockey news, journeyman Silvio Amador will now be represented by agent Fernando “Shoes” Navarro…In the fourth race on Saturday, six fillies and mares sprint five furlongs on turf in a maiden special weight. #2 Madame Overserved is a first-time starter and royally bred, by top stallion Curlin and out of multiple Grade 2 winning mare Foxysox. Madame Overserved is a full sibling to minor stakes winner Curlin’s Fox. Reid France trains the 3-year-old chestnut filly…Happy birthday to Golden Gate Fields General Manager and Vice President David Duggan, who turns a year older on Monday!

Saturday, November 9, 2019

THE SON OF BOAT TRIP PAYS $32 TO WIN

Berkeley, Calif. (November 9, 2019)-The California-bred gelding Bettor Trip Nick went right to the lead and never looked back, sustaining a clear lead throughout to win $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-old sprinters at Golden Gate Fields. The victory gave freshman sire Boat Trip his first stakes winner as a stallion. Bettor Trip Nick went off as the 15-1 fifth choice in the wagering.

After breaking alertly from the gate, Bettor Trip Nick was able to established a clear lead up the backstretch. He maintained a comfortable advantage until the wire, holding off a late challenge from runner up finisher Doc Tommy. Bettor Trip Nick won the six-furlong contest by a half-length.

“At the 3/16ths pole I knew we had a lot of horse,” said winning jockey Catalino Martinez, who was all smiles in the winner’s circle. “He tried hard. He’s a little champion!”

Trainer Bill Delia was equally as pleased.

“I told Catalino, ‘Get him out of the gate and see what happens. They might hand you the lead.’ And they did,” said Delia. “Everybody loves to win and we’re sure happy about this one today.”

Fore Left, a Southern California shipper from the Doug O’Neill barn, went off as the co 7-5 favorite with local allowance winner No Longer Silent. Both runners stalked Bettor Trip Nick early before finishing third and last, respectively. Blaisin ‘Eamon completed the superfecta while Call Me Peppy finished fifth.

With the stakes victory, Bettor Trip Nick improved his overall record to 3 wins from 4 career starts, with career earnings of $65,180 dollars. Trainer Bill Delia, Ray Pagano and Gary Oetman co-own Bettor Trip Nick, who stopped the clock for three-quarters of a mile in 1:09.35 seconds.

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$29,341 is carried over into the 50 cent (minimum) Late Pick 5 wager, Races 3-7 today. Here’s another edition of “How I’d Play It!”

Race 3: Along with being the first leg of the Late Pick 5, this race is also Leg D of the Stronach 5 wager. #4 FRUITFULLY (1-1 ML) is clearly the one to beat here; she won by daylight at this condition two races ago and has tactical speed to where she should land a good trip. The main concern, though, is that she sports a 2 for 13 record, with 8 other in-the-money finishes. In other words, she hits the board a lot more often than she wins. #1 WARRENS LIL MARGIE (4-1) put up a respectable effort last time out in a large field and fires her best races over this track. #6 HI SKOOL SWEETHART (8-1) cuts her claiming price in half and should be more competitive with the class drop in mind.  Possible price play. (Final thoughts: Although Fruitfully may not be a mortal lock, she’ll probably be pretty tough with her best effort.)

Race 4: #2 MERCY RULE (8-5) drops in class after a third-place finish against maiden special weight company. He appears as the lone speed for leading trainer Jonathan Wong and may prove tough to reel in if he can secure a loose lead. #3 SNAPPISH (5-2) is another class dropper. All three career races have come sprinting on turf against Southern California maiden special weight competition and his fastest race is good enough to be very competitive against this group. #4 WINTER FOG (7-2) had to take up shortly after the start of his career debut but rallied down the lane to pick up the bronze medal. The victor of the race, Mr. Fireball, has since come back to win a starter allowance and, most recently, complete the trifecta in a first level allowance. Winter Fog could take a step forward in lifetime start number two, especially if he isn’t hampered with at the start. (Final Thoughts: Mercy Rule is at an advantage from a pace scenario standpoint, but the other two selections have appeal and must be respected.)

Race 5: #4 AVALON KING (5-2) faces easier company after a fourth-place finish on dirt last month. He is a speed horse that faced pressure on the front-end last time-the same level of pressure is unlikely in this race. The class relief should do him well, too. #5 DEVIOUS DETECTIVE (2-1) was given a perfect trip in his last start at this non-2 lifetime level and had to settle for third after stalking the pace. His past two races, though, have been fast enough to compete for the top spot. #1 CARTERS BLUE (9-5) finished three-quarters of a length ahead of our top pick in an October 12 claimer and will try to beat the aforementioned rival again. That said, he must overcome a poor post position. #3 CHANGING IMAGE (9-2) has improved since moving to the barn of Debbie Winick and was last seen finishing ahead of the second pick at big odds. #2 ROB’S GOT GAME (12-1) comes off an eight-and-a-half-month layoff and drops in class; maybe he is ready for a big effort off the break. (Final Thoughts: Suspect form from the top contenders means you might want to take a conservative route when strategizing what to do with Leg C of your Pick 5 ticket.)

Race 6:  #4 MISIRLOU (1-1) is the most likely winner on the card. The full sibling to El Camino Real Derby winner Zakaroff broke her maiden stylishly two starts ago before defeating males in a September 29 allowance race; the second-place finisher, No Longer Silent, came back to romp in an October 19 allowance and is considered a major player in this Saturday’s Golden Nugget Stakes. #2 JUST CLASSY (5-1) and #3 PERSUASIVE LIPS (10-1) are two “value plays” underneath in exactas, tris and supers: they were noses apart in a starter allowance on October 17 and may be competitive for an in the money placing with duplicated efforts. (Final Thoughts: We won’t mess around looking for value; Misirlou could run her “C race” and still beat this field. We’ll key her and move along to the last leg, if we’re lucky enough to make it that far.)

Race 7: #1 EMPIRE WICKET (6-5) drops to the bottom barrel after an October 18^th race in which he drifted out turning for home and faded down the lane as the favorite. With that effort in mind, the field he finds here is subpar, at best, and he should win the nightcap If he has anything left in the tank. #6 GOOCH EXPRESS (7-2) ran well at this level after stalking the pace last time and is fast enough to win if the top picks fails to fire. #4 DOMENICO (9-2) may be the best of the rest based on recent form. (Final thoughts: It’s hard to trust the favorite after such a poor performance last time out, but all signs indicate he is better than the rest in this spot. Our second and third picks make the cut on our Pick 5 ticket…just in case the top pick disappoints again.)

 

THE TICKET

50 Cent Late Pick 5 ($24)

R3: 4
R4: 2,3,4
R5: ALL
R6 4 
R7: 1,4,6

Good luck!

 ANNEAU D’OR MAKES BAY AREA RACING PROUD WITH RUNNER UP FINISH IN BREEDERS CUP JUVENILE

2-year-old colt Anneau D’Or put up a terrific showing in last Friday’s Grade I $2,000,000 Breeders Cup Juvenile, stalking the pace early before hooking up in a stretch duel with eventual winner Storm the Court. Anneau D’Or ran second and finished a head behind the aforementioned foe while earning an 86 Beyer speed figure. Local pilot Juan Hernandez was aboard for the ride.

“He ate up well and came out of the race great,” said trainer Blaine Wright on Saturday evening. “We couldn’t have asked for a better effort from him. We couldn’t be prouder.”

Anneau D’Or, purchased for $480,000 as a 2-year-old, possesses the breeding to be a classy racehorse. He is by top North American stallion Medaglia D’Oro and out of the Tapit mare Walk Close, who won the Grade 3 Modesty Handicap on turf at Arlington Park in 2015. Anneau D’Or is owned by Peter Redekop, who also owns 2019 El Camino Real Derby winner and Preakness participant Anothertwistafate.

Anneau D’Or’s lone career race before the Breeders Cup Juvenile resulted in an eight-length maiden win on turf at Golden Gate last September. The maiden affair has turned out to be very productive: from 7 horses in the event that have started since then, 4 have been next out winners while the other 3 finished second (including Anneau D’Or).

Anneau D’Or returned to his home stall at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday. Plans for his next afternoon appearance are undetermined, although it is certain that Anneau D’Or will train at Golden Gate while the connections choose his next race. Anneau D’Or earned 8 points to the Kentucky Derby with his second-place finish in the Juvenile, so no one should be surprised if the connections opt to keep him on dirt and run him in a ‘Derby points race for his third career start.

2-YEAR-OLDS TAKE CENTER STAGE IN THE GOLDEN NUGGET STAKES

The $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds is the feature race at Golden Gate Fields this week and will be run on Saturday afternoon. The six-furlong event drew a field of 6 and is carded as Race 6 on the 9-race program.

The first contender to discuss is the likely favorite, Fore Left, fresh off a win in the Sunny Slope Stakes at Santa Anita. The freshman colt by Twirling Candy won the Tremont Stakes in the spring at Belmont Park and finished third in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes over the summer at Del Mar. Local rider William Antongeorgi III is slated to ride for Kentucky Derby winning trainer Doug O’Neill and owner Paul Reddam.

Another Southern California shipper for the Golden Nugget, Doc Tommy, was privately purchased by 2018 Eclipse Award-winning owners Hronis Racing LLC after a convincing August 18 California-bred maiden win while under the care of Felix Rondan. Now in the John Sadler stable, the Comic Strip colt has been freshened and conditioned at Santa Anita for this race. Juan Hernandez, aboard for the maiden win, rides back for the new connections.

No Longer Silent, who was terrific in a pair of runaway wins on the Golden Gate main track earlier this fall, looks to emulate the two aforesaid victories. The Jonathan Wong trainee is a Tommy Town Thoroughbreds homebred and figures to get ample support in the wagering. Kyle Frey guided the son of Ministers Wild Cat to both career wins and retains the mount.

Blaisin’ Eamon, from the Steve Specht barn, was last seen finishing right behind No Longer Silent in a September 29 allowance. The California bred son of U S Ranger will be ridden by Frank Alvarado, who piloted the dark bay or brown colt to victory when he broke his maiden impressively on September 2.

Bettor Trip Nik was a debut winner for first crop stallion Boat Trip when he broke his maiden on August 23. Since then, the bay gelding has won a starter allowance race, and he makes his stakes debut in this spot. Call Me Peppy rounds out the field; the Andreas Psarras entrant broke his maiden going two turns on dirt at Santa Rosa and makes his first start off an almost 3-month break.

Race 6: $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes (Approximate post time: 3:15 p.m. PT)

#1 Call Me Peppy (Jockey Ricky Gonzalez, Trainer Andreas Psarras)

#2 Doc Tommy (Juan Hernandez, John Sadler)

#3 Blaisin’ Eamon (Frank Alvarado, Steve Specht)

#4 Fore Left (William Antongeorgi III, Doug O’Neill)

#5 Bettor Trip Nick (Catalino Martinez, Bill Delia)

#6 No Longer Silent (Kyle Frey, Jonathan Wong)

WICKED OLD FASHION SET TO RUN AT DEL MAR

Friday afternoon is opening day of the 2019 Bing Crosby Meet at “Where the Turf Meets the Surf, ol’ Del Mar.” The main event goes as Race 7: the $75,000 Kathryn Crosby Stakes for fillies and mares routing one mile on turf. Entered in the race is 8-1 morning line shot Wicked Old Fashion, one of the top turf distaffers at Golden Gate Fields.

Trained by Victor Trujillo, the daughter of Colonel John most recently finished second behind next out Grade 3 winner Keeperof The Stars in a highly rated allowance race on the Golden Gate Fields grass course. Over the summer, Wicked Old Fashion ran third against males in the Rolling Green Stakes and sports a 3 for 6 record this year, with 2 other in-the-money finishes. Southern California jockey Evin Roman rides for the first time.

A couple of other Bay Area representatives will take part in the Friday festivities at Del Mar. In the first race, Ed Moger Jr. saddles maiden Hawk Hill, while Jonathan Wong will tighten the girth of recent Golden Gate winner Ernie Banks in Race 3. The latter gelding will be ridden by William Antongeorgi III, who flies down to ride.  

FINISH LINES: Remember: we have five racing days this week, with our normal Thursday-Sunday racing schedule and a special holiday Monday card. With the Veterans Day Monday card in effect, all veterans and active military members will receive free admission to the races…After three weeks of racing at the current meeting, veteran rider Frank Alvarado has the most wins out of any jockey in the GGF colony with 18 victories. William Antongeorgi III and Juan Hernandez are tied for second in the standings with 13 first-place finishes…Friday’s allowance feature, Race 6, is for 2-year-old fillies. Talented California-bred sprinter Misirlou, a full sibling to 2017 El Camino Real Derby winner Zakaroff, will go off heavily favored for trainer Steve Specht…2018 Camilla Urso Stakes winner Mother of Dragons is getting closer to making her 2019 debut. The Andreas Psarras trainee has posted 7 workouts since September, including a bullet six-furlong drill on the morning of October 24…Congratulations to 27-year-old conditioner Ari Herbertson, who picked up his 100^th career win as a trainer on Friday with (none other than) Friday’s At Shady…Race 3 at Golden Gate Fields this Friday is Leg D (the second to last leg) of the $1 Stronach Five wager…Happy birthday to trainers O.J Jauregui, Victor Trujillo and Bill McLean, racing official Kenny Fowler and jockey Frank Alvarado, all who celebrate birthday’s within the next seven days.

MUGARITZ KEEPS 2019 UNBEATEN RECORD INTACT IN JOSEPH T. GRACE STAKES

 Berkeley, Calif. (November 2, 2019)-4-year-old gelding Mugaritz is a perfect 4 for 4 in 2019 after a hard-fought victory in Saturday’s feature race at Golden Gate Fields, the $50,000 Joseph T. Grace Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward on turf.

Trained by Jonathan Wong, the son of Kentucky stallion Dialed In stalked the pace after a subpar break from the gate. Mugaritz took the lead at the eighth pole before fighting off a strong challenge from runner up finisher Camino Del Paraiso. The win margin was a neck.

“He loves the competition,” said winning jockey Ricky Gonzalez. “He wanted to go after the leader at the half mile pole and I said, ‘Ok buddy, you do your thing.’ When [Camino Del Paraiso] came up alongside in the stretch, [Mugaritz] just pinned his ears back and kept on going. He’s a very game horse and he’s really sharp right now.”

Mugaritz completed the mile and a sixteenth in 1:43.27 seconds. Camino Del Paraiso had to settle for second after challenging Mugaritz for the length of the lane. The second Wong entrant, Sixes, set the pace for the majority of the race and held third over 8-5 favorite Grecian Fire and 6-1 shot Builder. Arch Prince, Tortosa, Café Flavor and Respect the Hustle completed the field of nine.

Mugaritz went off as the second choice in the wagering and paid $5.80 to win. Mugaritz, privately purchased out of his maiden-breaking win by owner Alejandro Mercado, has improved his lifetime record to 7 wins from 12 starts, with 1 second place finish. The dark bay or brown gelding has earned $167,125.

“This is the best horse I have ever owned,” said Mercado. “I’ll sit down with Jonathan [Wong] and we’ll figure out where to run him next. Hopefully, we put him in the right spot.”

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