We have a special Memorial Day program today at Golden Gate Fields. In fact it’s a tremendous 11 race card. It should be a terrific day with good weather and firm turf racing. The feature goes as race 8 The All American for $100,000. Quick glance at what’s happened this week so far: The turf is playing pretty fair as we’ve had winners from up front but also off the pace. The same can be said for the races run over the tapeta however we ended yesterday’s Sunday program with winners up front. Jockeys Frank Alvarado, Ricardo Gonzalez, David Lopez, Francisco Monroy, and Catalino Martinez have had a nice last couple days. Trainer side has Isidro Tamayo firing with his runners and of course Jonathan Wong. Without more let’s get into our big Monday program.
115 races selections – 31 top pick winners (27%), 73 top picks in the money (63%)
Race 1: 5 Furlongs Tapeta $8,000 Maiden Claiming 3 year olds (3-5-2)
We kick off the card with some lower level 3 year olds and I’m going with a first time starter.
3 Ju Ju Guy is the lone debuting runner in here. Trainer Rene Amescua has some nice numbers with debuting maiden claimers (18%). This is a spot where this gelding can win as there isn’t much in the field. Often I have seen a lone debutante win against experienced runners. He should also appreciate the weight break with the apprentice aboard.
5 Comic Style is a class dropping gelding. The best race this son has run was on debut when he broke slow but rallied for third. Since he’s caught good breaks and has gone to contest the speed. However he gets tired turning for home. He drops slightly from 12.5 to 8 today and also cuts back a half furlong.
2 Beer Thirst will be making lifetime start #2 for a new trainer in Steve Sherman. This horse debuted against slightly tougher and showed speed but tired. He’s dropping today and should improve going out for the second time today. He has also been working steadily in the mornings.
Race 2: 5 Furlongs Turf $20,000 Maiden Claiming 3 year olds & up (4-5-1)
A couple 3 year olds enter to face older competition as they dash 5 furlongs on the turf. Rail should be at zero feet today and it appears there’s a standout in this second race.
4 Continental Union is taking a big drop in class from maiden special weights to the maiden 20 ranks today. Her lone race on turf was a good 3rd routing. Top jockey Juan Hernandez is getting aboard for high scoring Isidro Tamayo barn. Only thing not to like the price this horse ends up going off at (6/5 mL).
5 Luck Is My Name appears to be one who could knock off the heavy favorite should the favorite not fire. He exits a common race to the top pick. In fact this runner finished 4th in front of the top pick (7th). This gelding was 18/1 compared to 37/1 on the top pick. All of a sudden they get separated that heavily? Two prior tries routing weren’t bad either and could benefit if there’s lots of speed up front. He’s running today as a first time gelding.
1 Whenducksfly is a price contender underneath. He makes his first start off the claim for Frank Lucarelli and is coming off a 10 month layoff. He has had a couple bullet works in the morning so expect him to show speed from the rail. If he’s given an easy lead he could go gate to wire.
Race 3: 5.5 Furlongs Tapeta $4,000 Claiming 3 year olds & up (4-8-1)
We have a price play here in the third race with a runner from the small barn of Gary Greiner.
4 Life Is a Trip is a 7 year old dropping from beaten 5 claimers into the beaten 4 condition today. He has managed to hit the board in a little more than half his tries here at Golden Gate. It appears there could be a little speed up front for him to chase so hoping he relaxes just off the pace and makes a run. Jockey and trainer are both looking to get off the goose egg here.
8 Red Clem is a 4 year old who makes his first start in 3 months. He is also dropping in half from what he last ran for. He has 2 wins in 10 tries over the tapeta and will be coming from way back. The blinkers are also going on to try to help out this gelding. Slight concern as he hasn’t won in quite some starts but those were against tougher.
1 Bold Roman is a class dropping lightly raced 5 year old. He had a string of three consecutive wins last year before being sidelined. Since coming back he has finished fourth and fifth against slightly tougher. This is the third start of the year and could improve but draws a tough inside post. He may be forced to send from the inside.
Other to consider: 3 A New Trend is dropping in for his lowest claiming price of $4,000 today. This runner won against 6250 company in the fall. This runner also marks the return for trainer John Martin who has been away for some time. 5 Jason X L is a 10 time winning 7 year old making his first start of the year. He does have four wins sprinting at this condition and cuts back from his last start of a route to a sprint. There is also an 11 year old in this race.
Race 4: 1 Mile Turf Starter Allowance $12,500 3 year olds & up (4-3-5)
These are some nice runners in here with a girl taking on the boys.
4 Wicked Old Fashion is a 7 year old who loves running on this Golden Gate turf. She’s 7 for 12 with 3 seconds and a third. She has faced some tougher competition in her last couple starts over the tapeta. Trainer Victor Trujillo runners have been sharp even if his win percentage doesn’t seem like it and this runner has been running consistent.
3 I Declare War comes in off a 2 race winning streak although those were run over the tapeta. He also returns to the turf where he sports 2 wins in six tries. He could be part of the speed but if he decides to lay just off of it, he would have the first jump. Jockey William Antongeorgi iii has handled this runner well.
5 Shot of a Lifetime makes his first start off a 3 month freshening. In the past he has won off a similar break albeit on a class drop. Today he returns to the same condition he ran at last time on tapeta. He was a rallying second to a next out winner Premium Forest who is also entered in the All American later today. This horse tends to go to the front in his 3 turf wins but he doesn’t need the lead as he could stalk.
Other to consider: 6 Uber Star is a very talented runner and is a stablemate to the second pick who also comes out of the Jonathan Wong barn. It’s worth noting Juan Hernandez hops aboard this one. However he doesn’t have a win over the Golden Gate turf (0 for 3). He has much better numbers on the tapeta (7 for 17 with 14 in the money finishes). Chance to make some money if this runner doesn’t fire and gets bet.
Race 5: 6 Furlongs Tapeta Maiden Special Weight 3 year Fillies Cal Breds (4-3-5)
Lightly raced cal breds take the stage here.
4 Surely a Smile is the most experienced in the race. She has two starts and both times she finished fifth. On debut she was forced wide into the stretch but last time she was closing ground late. The extra half furlong should also benefit her.
3 Get’em Tiger is a daughter of Smiling Tiger who adds blinkers second time out. She ran an okay 5th on debut and should improve today going out for the second time. Quinn Howey has been firing with his runners this meet.
5 Lous TIznow was originally purchased for $29,000. She debuts off a steady work pattern for trainer Andy Mathis who fires with first time starters (15%).
Others to watch: 7 She’s Got Heart and 6 Nip Nap are both debuting runners who have trainers with a nice percentage winning with first timers (14% and 25% for Sherrie Monroe and Felix Rondan).
Race 6: 5.5 Furlongs Tapeta $5,000 Claiming F & M 3 & up (4-2-7)
We start the Golden Pick 6 here with a nice group of seven runners.
4 Sittin and Thinkin is the top pick to start the pick 6. She is a consistent runner coming from off the pace. The pace setup looks to favor her style as well with the speed up front from horses coming in from Los Alamitos. Ricardo Gonzalez gets back on this filly as he guided her to victory two back. She is also dropping ever so slightly down the class ladder and enters at a distance where all 3 wins have come.
2 Hopscotchy is also dropping slightly exiting a win at 6 furlongs. She only has one win at today’s distance but she’s a grinder. She tends to make up ground in slower races but the key is she’s making up ground. The speed could come back to the field in this type of race.
7 Coastal Starlite makes her first start off a 9 month break. She is also dropping in class. She was able to win on debut off a “layoff”. Trainer Victor Trujillo has a 31% win clip from his last 13 runners who fit the criteria of an extended layoff. Horse could be flying late.
Others to consider/watch: 1 Ramoncita Light is another closer to take note of. Unfortunately she draws the rail again and could get boxed in. She will be coming from off the pace. She needs to pass a couple of the other runners in here though. 6 Thanks is one of the speeds in the race. She went down to Los Alamitos last time while racing was closed up North. She didn’t fire. She cleared the n2L condition going gate to wire three back.
Race 7: 1 Mile Tapeta $6,250 Claiming 3 year old Fillies (6-1-5)
We kick off the late pick 5 in a race where I don’t like the favorite nor the second choice.
6 Rev Ree the daughter of English Channel appears to be the controlling speed of the race. She is dropping back in class after facing tougher n2L competition. Her race at this condition three back was a good second beaten a nose. If she runs back to that today she could be tough. She is also removing blinkers for Steve Sherman who excels at moving runners from turf to synthetic (26% from 34 runners).
1 Charlie’s Belle is a grinding filly. She always comes from well out of it even if there isn’t much pace. Alejandro Gomez has gotten to know this runner quite well. She will hope for a speed duel up front to close into. She has been consistent of late if you ignore the first 5 running lines.
5 Musketier Waltz is a big price play to consider underneath. She is a grinding runner as well. She closes without speed to chase (3 back) but can also close if there is speed in front of her (last out). Runner has been pretty consistent routing out of a limited 4 tries.
Others to consider: 7 Snow Pack is another runner who likes to pick up the pieces late for awards. She is 8 of 9 in the money with one win at Golden Gate. Jockey David Lopez could try to put her closer to the front as she did go gate to wire in her maiden breaker. 2 Arouse N Go is a runner who finished third last out to our top pick. She stays in this condition and what’s interesting is the jockey Juan Hernandez. She could get sneaky money off the 10/1 line.
Race 8: $100,000 All American 1 Mile Tapeta 3 year olds & up (5-2-4)
We start the late pick 4 with the feature on the holiday card. Thoughts on each horse as follows.
5 Camino Del Paraiso is the top pick here. Trainer O J Jauregui opted to run his gelding here over the Charles Whittingham at Santa Anita. It appears this spot is much easier for him. There seems to be a lot of early speed and this gelding enjoys chasing a speed battle. He is one of a few with good form over this tapeta surface and is the pick to win the feature.
2 Restrainedvengence is a 5 year old who will test the tapeta surface. Trainer Val Brinkerhoff opted to run him here in his first start off a two month break. He has won here in the past but that was the Rolling Green on turf. This horse figures to be a pace factor if not right off the speed. Kent Desormeaux gets aboard today.
4 Premium Forest is a tapeta specialist. He is 7 for 14 with 11 in the money finishes. Some were against weaker starter allowance company but he has found his way into allowance wins in the past. He has an advantage over the shippers based on his tapeta form and could be rolling into the speed from the back. Class is the only concern.
Others in the field: 7 Builder is making his first start in 6 months. He was last seen finishing 5th in the Joseph T Grace in November. I don’t like the layoff but this runner finished second in last year’s race. 1 Kiwi’s Dream is looking for back to back victories coming out of a second level allowance win. Appears to be part of the speed battle and will have to fight to keep up against classier opponents. 3 Bold Endeavor was supplemented into this race and scratched from the Charles Whittingham. The tapeta will be a question mark as this runner has all wins on the dirt surface. He could be a pace factor. 6 Engram is a longshot, who was supplemented as well, coming out of a $40,000 claimer at Santa Anita. 1 for 18 over this tapeta surface.
Race 9: 5.5 Furlongs Tapeta $16,000 Claiming 3 year olds & up (4-8-6)
A very good group of salty claimers in here sprinting some with double digit win totals.
4 Awesome Silver is a 10 year old looking for win #20. He is dropping in from 20 claimers and could benefit from a speed battle up front. Looking to rebound from that last effort where he finished last in a field of 6.
8 Argosy Fleet is drawn out in the clear today. He has been close a couple times of late and appears to get a good pace setup. He’s been in the exacta 5 of 6 times at this 5.5 furlong distance. John Martin is looking to return with a win today.
6 Midnight Destiny might not appreciate the cutback in distance to 5.5 furlongs today. However with a hot pace expected he could close into the win. Top connections of Hernandez and Wong team up here.
Other to consider: 1 My Friend Tony draws an inside post and might be forced to send with speed. Won at this condition two back before just missing last out. Interesting to note Juan Hernandez opts to ride the 6 instead of this horse.
Race 10: 1 Mile Turf $12,500 Claiming 3 year olds & up (7-12-6)
Big field of 12 expected to go two turns on turf to kick off the late double.
7 Imperator appears to be spotted finally in the right place. He ran well against starter allowance 50 last out and drops into a logical 12.5 n2L condition. Brayan Pena retains the mount and should have something to chase turning for home.
12 American Camp was originally purchased for $325,000 by the original ownership group. He returns to the turf course where he broke his maiden for 20. He has some good value at 10/1 but the only concern is drawing the outside post.
6 Tequila Blanco is making his second start off an 8 month break. In fact he’s back in just 8 days. This is a 6 year old who has run well second off the break. Steve Miyadi is firing at a tremendous 41% win clip thus far.
Others to consider: 5 Lucky General returns to Golden Gate after a stint at Turf Paradise. He drops out of tougher races to the lowest claiming tag he’s been in for. Kent Desormeaux gets aboard for a small barn. 11 Gem State is a 3 year old facing older. His three turf races have resulted in three seconds. He can be forwardly placed but will have to get over from an outside post. Good value at 12/1. 9 Missed the Boat goes from a sprint to a route and will be trying turf for the first time. If he can rate off the speed and close he could be dangerous.
Race 11: 5.5 Furlongs Tapeta $25,000 Maiden Claiming 3 year old Fillies (3-8-6)
We end the day how we started with a 3 year old race but this time for the gals.
3 Alittle Bit Techie makes her second start today. She closed good ground on debut to come up just short. Second time out she should improve and maybe sit a little closer. Jonathan Wong and Tommy Town Thoroughbreds LLC have been firing of late and this daughter of Super Saver could add to the list.
8 Khaleesis Dragon is an experienced check getter. She has rallied into the money 5 of 7 times. Frank Alvarado gets aboard today and will be wheeling late.
6 Shezjustinthyme appears to be a quick filly. She was fast on debut but tired late. She should improve with that start underneath her belt and learn to ration the speed.
Others to watch: 2 Runnin Diva exits a common race to the second and third pick finishing 4th behind them. Could rally into the minor awards at a good number if relaxed off the speed. 7 Golden Delight is a debuting filly for Blaine Wright attracting Juan Hernandez. Trainer is 31% with debuting maiden claimers.
Best Bet: Race 6 Sittin and Thinkin 3/1
Price Plays: Race 3 Life Is a Trip 6/1 and Race 7 Musketier Waltz 20/1
Lots of chances to make money today with a big 11 race program. Should be lots of fun on this holiday Monday. Reminder next week is a 3 day racing week going from Friday to Sunday. Stakes racing will take place on Saturday and Sunday. The $75,000 Camilla Urso for Fillies and Mares will take place Saturday sprinting 5 Furlongs over the turf. Sunday is highlighted by the $75,000 California Oaks for 3 year old Fillies routing 1 Mile and 1/16 over the tapeta. Look for the analysis from our friends Warren and Taylor and also Rob. I’ll be back in 10 days when the calendar turns to June. Good luck over the next week and a half on all your bets.
Twitter: @sportsandhorse