Golden Gate selections for Sunday March 29, 2020 by Taylor Owens
Twitter: @owenstaylor10
Race 1 – Maiden Claiming $5,000 for 4yo & up. 1 Mile. All-Weather. Picks: 6-2-5
6. Glenroy – Stand out in this field. He consistently finishes in the money and has beat some decent horses at this level in the past.
2. Include Eddy – I think he’ll be bet lower than his morning line, but I really like the jockey and trainer behind this horse. He will likely catch the early lead, and against this field he should be able to put in a top showing today.
5. The Easy Way – Not every shipper from Santa Anita is a sure shot here, and I don’t like that he hasn’t had any works over the surface. I also don’t like what I see on his work tab, but he has been running higher down south and could factor today.
Race 2 – Claiming $4,000 for 4yo & up Which Have Never Won Two Races. 1 Mile. All-Weather. Picks: 1-7-4
1. Classic Champ – He hits the board often at this distance, but I also like the inside post. He was close to the winner last out but travelled wide. If he gets a better trip, which he should today, he’ll be tough.
7. Aerial Decoy – this morning line favorite is hard to ignore considering his last several starts. Second or third, he’s usually well ahead of the others, but I don’t like the far outside draw so am not putting him on top for that reason.
4. Bernardos Hideaway – the speed in the race, I think he deserves a look because he stands a chance of running away with the field. My top two picks will be tough to beat, but I think this one is quick enough and could show.
Race 3 – Allowance Optional Claiming $50,000. For Fillies and Mares 3yo & up. 1 Mile. All-Weather. Picks: 1-4-6
1. Yangtze River – In this competitive field of fillies, Yangtze River is looking to extend her win streak to 3 after winning a starter last out. I was impressed by that race, which she won going away. This is a bit of a step up, but I think she’s improving and is ready for this race.
4. Dynasty of Her Own – Another classy filly, she is shipping from New Mexico after winning and placing in two stakes races there. She placed at a mile and has solid works at Santa Anita. She’s also won at Golden Gate, and I think she can get the distance of a mile.
6. She’s So Special – This Hard Spun filly has wins at Santa Anita and Golden Gate. She has a solid work tab consisting of half mile drills. This is a quick turn around and she did work a bullet half on the 21st, and her wins come from sprints. While she’s classy, I’m going to try and beat her, but I won’t count her out for show.
Race 4 – Maiden Claiming $8,000 for 3yo. 1 Mile. All-Weather. Picks: 2-6-4
2. Aero Street – improved in his first start for trainer Lucarelli, who has some pretty good percentages. If you’re one to look at speed figures, his recent one helps him stand out, but I do think he’ll keep improving for his new trainer.
6. Code Gray – Looks to be the only one to be on the early lead and has run decent spped figures these last two starts. He kind of flips back and forth, but a lot of this field hasn’t put in any inspiring runs so I think this gelding can run in the top three.
4. Runaway Indy – I like that Hernandez is aboard, and this jockey and trainer percentage is pretty high. He ran a mile for the first time last out and could improve at the distance after having run it, but I don’t like his works and will keep him to show.
Race 5 – Claiming $16-14,000 for 4yo & up. 5 ½ furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 6-1
6. Sunrise Journey – If there was one that might be able to wire the field I think it would be this one. He’s consistent at the distance and decent over the surface. Desormeaux gets the mount today and Sunrise Journey is taking a drop in class.
1. My Man Draymond – The only reason I’m putting this longshot for second is the amount of speed in this race. That’s all there is, and these other horses haven’t won from way off the pace. So I’m taking a shot on this horse, who at least won coming from 3 lengths off the lead two starts back. He also has made a closing finish a few times, but this is a big step up for him.
Race 6 – Claiming $16-14,000 for Fillies & Mares 4yo & up. 5 ½ furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 3-2
3. Naughty Sophie – I am going against my own handicapping style and putting this horse on top. She hasn’t worked or ran over the surface, but she has done well over the turf at Santa Anita so I’m anxious to see how she does on the synthetic today. She was running at this level and typically runs on the lead, which she may have to wrestle for.
2. Crown Kitten – I think some of the speed here won’t be able to make it, so I think Crown Kitten will factor late as she’s done before. She is consistent over this distance, and I think her post position will help her improve today.
Race 7 – Claiming $20-18,000 for 4yo & up Which Have Never Won 2 Races. 6 furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 1-5
1. Potente Alba – Expected pace setter today, he has won off the lead several times and is a consistent runner. I think we can expect him to continue improving, and the trainer and jockey for him are tough to beat.
5. Arno’s Mane Man – Very good at Golden Gate and his 2020 campaign is off to a great start. He’s stepping up for the third time in a row, but I don’t see why he wouldn’t handle it. Solid coming off the pace and will come rallying late.
Race 8 – Allowance Optional Claiming $25,000 for 4yo & up. 1 Mile. All-Weather. Picks: 2-5-1
2. I Declare War – Didn’t disappoint as the favorite last out as he held on for a gritty win. He’s very consistent at this distance and over the track, and he should prove tough to beat again today.
5. Liberal (IRE) – Forgiving his last start, this gelding won his stateside debut at first asking. It’s his second start off the layoff and he turned in a maintenance half mile drill at Santa Anita. Should be competitive.
1. Many Roses – not putting higher than show because I don’t like how inconsistent he is, but he did win impressively last out and shouldn’t be thrown out.
Race 9 – Claiming $4,000 for 4yo & up. 1 1/16 Mile. All-Weather. Picks: 7-4-2
7. Unusually Green – He’s been super consistent as of late, and I think with his closing style he should do well with the extra sixteenth. He’s had a few 5 furlong works to prepare for this start and I like his chances coming in.
4. Kona Coast – I think this is a pretty open field, so I’m feeling good about putting this horse to place. He’s pretty consistent here and historically runs a few good races after a clunker. I think the horse on his inside may take the lead from him, but he shouldn’t need it to be comfortable.
2. The Ref – Has been on the board in 7 of 15 starts over the distance. Has been cashing checks as of late, and with the 2 post should get a good trip.