2-YEAR-OLD MAIDENS, TURF A POPULAR THEME THROUGHOUT OPENING WEEK
Live racing resumes at Golden Gate Fields on Friday, beginning the traditional summer meeting at “Where the Bay Comes to Play.” First post each live race day is 1:45 PM PT.
Horsemen and horsewomen are eager to run their horses at Golden Gate. For evidence of that, look no further than the entry box. On the first three live race cards of the meet, 216 horses were entered in 26 races, equating to an average field size of 8.3 horses per race.
11 of the 26 races this week are on the turf. The first grass race of the meeting is Friday’s second race: a maiden special weight sprint for California-bred fillies and mares. A full field is assembled, with five “also eligibles” looking to draw into the main body of the field if any scratches occur. Four races later, a turf allowance for 3-year-old fillies goes as the feature. The marquee event on Saturday is a second level allowance-also on turf-with hard knocking older routers set to clash at the one-mile distance. On Sunday, two co-featured allowance grass races highlight a 9-race card.
A trio of 2-year-old maiden races are part of the Saturday and Sunday programs. On Saturday, a pair of 2-year-old races are sprinkled throughout the program. The opener is a maiden claimer, while the eighth race is a California-bred maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies at five furlongs. Top trainers Blaine Wright and Isidro Tamayo debuts a pair of contenders, while Steve Specht and Ed Moger Jr. also have legit players in the field of nine. On Sunday, the sixth race gives California-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings their turn to sprint five panels. Well-known trainers Tim McCanna, Bill McLean, Jamey Thomas, and Jonathan Wong are among the conditioners who have a contender in Sunday’s sixth (the start of the Late Pick 4) with a full field of ten.
For those interested in attending live racing, fans can buy tickets online at goldengatefields.com or purchase “walk up” (cash only) parking and admission on-track. Clubhouse seating is available first come, first serve, and the paddock/A deck (first floor) is now open to patrons. For more information, please visit the link: https://goldengatefields.com/what-to-expect/
IDA CLAIRE LOOKS TO REBOUND ON TURF IN FRIDAY FEATURE
Kentucky-bred Ida Claire was a sparkling maiden winner on turf last April and made a positive impression on all who tuned into the race. Since then, she has lost three consecutive races against winners, and looks to rebound in the feature race on Opening Day Friday, a first level allowance for 3-year-old fillies. The Friday feature, which goes as Race 6 on an 8-race program, is a one-mile and a sixteenth turf route. Trainer O.J Jauregui, not shy to try something new, believes an equipment change will help Ida Claire.
“We’re putting the blinkers on [Ida Claire] for the first time,” said Jauregui. “In her last start, if you watch the video, you can see she was running on but was looking to the outside. In her last couple of races, she’s sort of lost interest and I think the blinkers will help her focus a little better. She worked really well with the blinkers on the other morning.”
Most recently, Ida Claire sprinted six furlongs on dirt at Pleasanton, where she ran third behind multiple allowance winner Do You Hear That. In all other afternoon appearances, Ida Claire has raced exclusively at two turns.
“We switched things up a little bit,” said Jauregui on putting Ida Claire in a sprint race. “It was the only race in the [condition] book for her and we figured we’d give it a shot.”
Her breeding indicates the grass and or Tapeta could be her preferred surface(s) in the long run; she is by multiple European Group 1 turf winner Declaration of War and out of a Lemon Drop Kid mare. For Saturday’s sixth race, Ida Claire draws post position 9 and figures to stalk the pace with regular pilot Irving Orozco back aboard.
“She’s versatile,” said Jauregui. “There’s some speed in the race so she’ll probably be stalking the pace.”
DEL MAR WATCH LIST
Many Golden Gate Fields shippers will compete at Del Mar Racetrack this summer. Every week, we will be noting those horses here.
Friday
Race 4 (Allowance optional claimer $62,500)
#4 Union Dance (Trainer Isidro Tamayo…Jockey Francisco Monroy)
#5 Shadrack (Tim McCanna…Tyler Baze)
Race 5 (20k claimer)
#1 Tacoflavoredkisses (Andy Mathis…Umberto Rispoli)
#2 Tribal Nation (Andy Mathis…Kent Desormeaux)
#10 Twilight Rider (Jonathan Wong…Juan Hernandez)
Race 7 ($175,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies)
#6 Joymaker (Quinn Howey…Trevor McCarthy)
#7 Amazen Grazen (Ed Moger Jr…Abel Cedillo)
#9 I’m So Anna (Steve Sherman…Kyle Frey)
Saturday
Race 2 (12.5k claimer)
#2 Take Me for a Spin (Jonathan Wong…Ricky Gonzalez)
Race 5 (Maiden 20k claimer)
#3 Bold Voyager (Ed Moger Jr…Caesar Ortega)
#4 Shackey’s Love (Jonathan Wong…Tiago Pereira)
Race 9 (Cal-bred allowance)
#1 R M C Hookem (Victor Trujillo…Ricky Gonzalez)
#6 Clem Labine (Isidro Tamayo…Kyle Frey)
Race 10 ($200,000 San Clemente for 3-year-old fillies)
#1 Pizazz (2021 California Oaks winner trained by Richard Mandella…Kyle Frey aboard)
Race 11 (16k claimer)
#1 Angel’s Advocate (Andy Mathis…Tyler Baze)
#3 Plum Wild (Ed Moger Jr…Tiago Pereira)
Sunday
Race 3 (50k claimer):
#3 Ashley’s Valentine (Andy Mathis…Kyle Frey)
#8 Mine Hunter (Andy Mathis…Juan Espinoza)
Race 4 (32k claimer):
#7 El Chavo Del Ocho (Isidro Tamayo…Kyle Frey)
Race 5 (Starter allowance):
#5 Cheerful Charm (Debbie Winick…Kyle Frey)
Race 7 (Daisycutter Handicap):
#8 Never for Money (Andy Mathis…Geovanni Franco)
#11 Sadie Bluegrass (Jonathan Wong…Brayan Pena)
Race 8 (Second level allowance)
#4 Darnquick (Isidro Tamayo…Ricky Gonzalez)
FINISH LINES: Multiple Golden Gate Fields stakes winner Camino Del Paraiso continues to train forwardly for his 2021 debut. “He’s about a month away [from being ready to race],” said trainer O.J Jauregui. “He’s a pro.” Jauregui mentioned the September 6 Rolling Green Stakes as a potential starting spot for the 8-year-old California bred…Two Golden Gate shippers bookended the Saturday card at Del Mar. In Race 1, By Moonlight won a 50k maiden claimer while bumping up in class for trainer Isidro Tamayo and jockey Kyle Frey. Frey also won the allowance nightcap atop Jimmy Blue Jeans, trained by Andy Mathis…2021 California Oaks winner Pizazz competes in Saturday’s $200,000 San Clemente Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on turf at Del Mar. Kyle Frey rides for Hall of Fame conditioner Richard Mandella. Freedom Flyer, who finished as the runner up in the California Oaks, is also entered in the San Clemente…Azul Coast, last year’s El Camino Real Derby winner, makes his 2021 debut in a second level allowance on Friday at Del Mar. Flavien Prat is slated to navigate for trainer Bob Baffert…Multiple Golden Gate Fields winner Indian Peak (now trained by Peter Miller) and Albany Stakes runner up Brandothebartender (Craig Dollase) run in the $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes for California-breds on Sunday at Del Mar…The 20 Cent Golden Pick Six jackpot wager at Golden Gate begins anew on Friday…Happy birthday to stewards assistant Devon Dunham and trainer Blaine Wright, both who celebrate their birthdays in the next 6 days…Happy belated birthday to trainer Manny Badilla, who celebrated his birthday last week. Far out!!!