TRADITIONAL SUMMER MEET BEGINS/20 CENT GOLDEN PICK SIX JACKPOT, EARLY PICK 5 AMONG WAGERS BACK IN PLAY
The 2020 Summer Meet at Golden Gate Fields begins this Thursday, August 13, and runs through Sunday, October 4. First post each live race day is 1:45 PM. Horseplayers should take note that a number of wagers seen at the recently concluded Wine Country Racing meet will revert back to standard Golden Gate Fields bets that many are accustomed to playing.
The 20 Cent Golden Pick Six jackpot wager returns on “Opening Day” Thursday, as does the 50 Cent Early Pick 5, which comprises the first five races each afternoon and offers a low 14% takeout. Trifecta’s and Rolling Pick 3’s return to the wagering menu as 50 cent minimum bets while the Rolling Super High Five wager is set at a $1 minimum. In order for the Rolling Super High Five wager to be on the menu for a particular race, that race must have 7 or more official starters.
At the recently concluded Wine Country Racing meet, jockey Kyle Frey took home the jockey title with 11 wins, scoring 3 more victories than second-place riders William Antongeorgi III and 7-pound apprentice Santos Rivera. In the trainer standings, Jonathan Wong won 8 of 26 starts (31%), finishing ahead of Andy Mathis (4 for 12.)
MY FRIEND GEORGE RETIRES A WINNER
8-year-old My Friend George won the third race on Friday, July 31 while cutting back from a route to a sprint. After the victory, trainer Manny Badilla announced that the California-bred gelding would be retired from racing.
“He’s a cool dude,” said Badilla. “I wanted him to go out a winner.”
Owned by breeder Martin W. Bach for all 52 lifetime starts, the son of Gotham City won 13 races (25%-win rate), with 8 second and 9 thirds. He earned $140,250 throughout his six-year-career and showed versatility for the duration of his calling as a racehorse, winning on turf, dirt and synthetic while scoring victories at a variety of sprint and route distances.
“He was as versatile as you’ll find,” said Badilla. “He never ran in any allowance or stakes race. He was very effective at claiming levels and starter allowance conditions.”
“I admired his heart,” added Badilla. “Every time he raced, he gave it his all. He was a barn favorite for me. I’m going to miss him but I’m also happy he is going to be well-taken care of at the next stage of his life.”
Badilla relayed that My Friend George was currently relaxing at Woodbridge Farm, enjoy some time in the pasture. In the not-so-distance future, My Friend George will join Badilla’s assistant Julie Baker at her farm and train to be a sheriff’s pony.
“We’ll see how he does when he trains for his next job,” said Badilla. “Julie does a great job and will make sure he is up for the task before he begins a second career.”
DEL MAR WATCH LIST
Our weekly Del Mar watchlist for Northern California horses and trainers are as follows:
Friday
Race 1: Tip Top Gal (Trainer Quentin B. Miller, Jockey Edwin Maldonado)
Race 1: Gotham Desire (Ed Moger Jr., Tiago Pereira)
Race 2: Joymaker (Quinn Howey, Jorge Velez)
Race 7: Sadie Bluegrass (Jonathan Wong, Ricky Gonzalez)
Saturday
Race 1: La Croix (Rene Amescua, Jorge Velez)
Race 1: Thunder Woman (Bill McLean, Juan Hernandez)
Race 6: Call Sign Lucky (O.J Jauregui, Jorge Velez)
Race 6: Lemon Drop Shot (Jonathan Wong, Flavien Prat)
Race 10: Emerald Magic (Bill McLean, Ruben Fuentes)
Race 11: Mithqaal (Jonathan Wong, Ricky Gonzalez)
Race 11: Harvest a Storm (Ed Moger Jr., Edwin Maldonado)
Race 11: Engram (Quentin B. Miller, Brice Blanc)
Sunday
Entries to be drawn tomorrow
FINISH LINES: Golden Gate Fields is back in the Stronach 5 mix this week, with Race 2 on Friday going as the last leg of the aforementioned Pick 5 wager…Frank Lucarelli saddles Paddy’s Secret and Killarney Lass in the co-feature at Emerald Downs on Thursday, the Boeing Stakes, for filly and mare sprinters at six and one-half furlongs. Both gals have raced at Golden Gate Fields in the past…2019 El Camino Real Derby winner Anothertwistafate worked six furlongs in an easy 1:17.40 seconds last Sunday in preparation for his 2020 debut…$700,000 yearling purchase What a Feeling drilled a half-mile out of the gate for trainer Jonathan Wong in 49.60 seconds. Purchased by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds at last year’s Keeneland September Sale, the 2-year-old daughter of Medaglia D’Oro is out of Grade 2 winner and Grade I placed mare Magical Feeling and is a half-sibling to stakes winner Exulting…FUN FACT: Half siblings Night Gig and Union Dance both competed in Race 4 on Sunday. Later in the program, half-siblings Potente Alba and Sunrise Journey battled in the same race, Race 11…Per the TOC, expanded viewing for owners is available at Golden Gate. For morning workouts, owners may attend any morning but must check-in at the main horsemen’s gate. During afternoon racing, two owners per horse may attend, and seating will be in a designated area adjacent to the winner circle. In order for any owner to access on-site morning workouts and or afternoon racing, they must provide their CHRB owners license and undergo a COVID-19 health screening. Masks are required to be worn at all times!