It’s closing week to the Winter Spring meet here at Golden Gate Fields. Expect big fields and more races than usual like today (9 races). The highlight this weekend is mandatory payouts as well a guaranteed late pick 4 pool of $250k on closing day. Also we have two nice stakes races with the $75k Alcatraz (for 3 year olds going 1 Mile on Turf) on Saturday and the Grade 3 $250,000 San Francisco Mile (3 year olds & up going 1 Mile on Turf) on Sunday. The Mile usually attracts lots of shippers from SoCal and we could see some top jockeys come up as well. Meanwhile let’s quickly recap last week’s action: Trainer Andy Mathis had some nice turf sprint victories last week including the Albany which was part of his 4 for 10 week with 2 seconds and a third. Steve Sherman also had 6 wins in 16 starters. Jockey wise Kyle Frey had quite a week going 6 for 17 with 2 seconds and a third. Kevin Orozco had 3 wins in 12 mounts and Ricardo Gonzalez also had success with 4 wins in 15 mounts. On the cold side Frank Alvarado is 0 for his last 18 and Julien Couton is 0 for his last 11. We can essentially congratulate Juan Hernandez and Jonathan Wong as they have basically wrapped up the jockey and training titles respectively. Today’s 9 race program is extremely competitive and seems like a weekend program. Here are my thoughts for today:
144 race selections – 39 top pick winners (27%), 94 top picks in the money (65%)
Race 1: 5.5 Furlongs Tapeta $8,000 Maiden Claiming 3 year olds & up (8-6-5)
We kick off closing week with a nice group of 8 maidens.
8 Darkhawk exits a second at this level in his first start in 4 months. This is his second start off the freshening and certainly can improve. A slight concern is the cutback to 5.5 furlongs. This horse is always consistent rumbling in the stretch. He would benefit if there was a pace to chase but Kyle Frey retains the mount today.
6 Big Heater makes his first start in 3 months. Last time he ran second at a level higher than this off a 7 month break. He was sandwiched in the trifecta by two next out winners. He makes a lot of sense on the class and off the break.
5 Capacitor makes his first start as a 4 year old. He had been competing against open maidens as a 3 year old. The racing comments show this horse has been a handful. He drops into the maiden 8 ranks today off the layoff.
Other to watch: 1 Billtown Banner has been consistent in terms of picking up minor awards. He was 4th in a common event to the top pick last out. He could be interesting if he runs back to his start two back and I like a change in rider to maybe get this horse going again with Kevin Orozco.
Race 2: 5.5 Furlongs Tapeta $12,500 Claiming F & M 3 & up (2-1-6)
Small but competitive group here to kick off the early pick 4 as we have some former allowance runners dropping in but also a consistent lower level claimer testing the waters shipping in from Los Al.
2 Cozze Kid is a class dropping daughter of Shanghai Kid. She was stakes placed as a 2 year old. She finished second to Sneaking Out as a 3 year old. She exits a race that was on turf sprinting 5 furlongs. She is back on her preferred surface as she carries 3 wins and a second. She won at this claiming tag 3 starts back going gate to wire. She has speed but can also rate so David Lopez has options on this filly.
1 My Sweet Lou is another class dropping mare. In fact she’s in for her lowest claiming tag ever today. She was 7th last time to Morning Cynn who ran in the Golden Poppy on Sunday. That was her first race since last August. She definitely can improve on the class drop today but unfortunately drawn the rail, she might be forced to send.
6 Kelly will catch the eye pretty easily as she’s a gray roan Grazen mare. She drops in for 12.5 today. She has been close at a slightly higher 16 level. She has never missed the trifecta in four starts at this distance but has been a beaten favorite in the past.
Other to consider: 4 Lucky Antares was a talented allowance runner in the past. Unfortunately she’s gone winless for her last 12 starts and drops into the lowest claiming tag today. She could have a shot if the pace melts down in front of her.
Race 3: 1 Mile & 1/16 Tapeta Maiden Special Weight 3 year olds & up (6-5-4)
This is a race where I think we have a very vulnerable favorite. The favorite is a 3 year old facing older and has been beaten as the betting choice in the past. He has also been caught in the stretch. Today there’s more pace with him and I think we can play against him.
6 T Bones Trick ran third to the favorite last time on turf. He was picking up ground in the stretch. I think the extra half furlong will benefit his running style. He has also run second over this surface the past. Obviously he was beaten as the public’s choice those days but I think he will be more valuable than the 2 horse here. Originally purchased for $150k, this son of Midnight Lute could add to the success Andy Mathis has had of late.
5 Zahra is an interesting runner here. She’s a filly taking on the boys. She is also an unappetizing 0 for 17. But the experience factor of being close is a big plus. Trainer O J Jauregui has the confidence to put her up against the boys. She has finished second or third 6 times and could get a slice underneath stalking the pace.
4 Gallant Warren finished 5th in a common event last out to a couple other foes in here. He has some late speed in the stretch. Two starts ago was second against state bred maidens. Today he faces open company and also older foes.
Other to watch: 1 My Lucky Bid is a 4 year old who has never hit the board in 8 tries. He was close last time and especially two back. He should sit a nice stalking trip and a repeat race from last time could bring improvement.
Race 4: 5 Furlongs Tapeta Maiden Special Weight 2 year old Fillies (9-6-7)
We kick off the pick 6 with a head scratching baby race at least since nearly all are unraced.
9 I’m So Anna is the lone filly with experience. Experience goes a far way especially since she broke slow and rallied into third last time going 4.5 furlongs. Steve Sherman is not known for super good numbers with horse debuting and usually improves them with that first start under the belt.
6 Liam’s Secret is a 2 year old daughter of Liam’s Map. She was purchased for $75k from the Keeneland November yearling sale. This is a good jockey trainer combo and trainer William Delia is spectacular (30%) with 2 year olds.
7 The Latte Factor is a daughter of Smiling Tiger and draws a nice post position with top jockey Juan Hernandez. She, like many others, has been working steadily towards this first start.
Baby watching: 10 Miss Arrowhead is another daughter of Smiling Tiger. She cost $44k and is apparently a half sibling to Ima Happy Cat. David Lopez who has 2 baby race wins gets aboard. 2 Xtrema is a daughter of Exaggerator and should appreciate a longer distance. She was purchased for $55k and has Kent riding for Keith (Desormeaux). 3 Miz Cappadocia is a daughter of Animal Kingdom so she should appreciate routing in the future. She debuts for trainer O J Jauregui who is 13% with 2 year olds. 4 Maggie’s Magic comes from a barn with good 2 year old success in Rob Hess Sr and is worth a look at a nice number.
Race 5: 6 Furlongs Tapeta $8,000 Claiming 3 year olds & up (6-1-2)
This race appears loaded with early speed thus closers from off the pace could benefit quite a bit.
6 Malibu Alex was beaten a head at this level last time out. In the past he’s gone up against some of the top sprinters on the circuit. The added half furlong will allow him to close some more. Juan Hernandez retains the mount for Jack Steiner.
1 Uncle Hal is 1 for 18 over the Golden Gate tapeta and finished third last time behind the top pick here. He showed speed last time before being caught. He is much better stalking the pace and unfortunately has the rail post today.
2 Mirror Image makes his first start off the claim for trainer Tim McCanna. He has faced some allowance caliber runners in the past and also likes to run in the stretch. He has worked pretty consistently and appears fit to go today.
Other to consider: 5 My Lucky Mark is dropping in class after making his first start off a 3 month break. He has speed but also appears tactical and rateable. There is speed regardless of him and if he stalks he could get the first jump on the rest of the field. We’ve seen Turf Paradise shippers win second start returning to Golden Gate.
Race 6: 1 Mile & 1/8 Turf Starter Allowance $12,500 (4-2-6)
We’ve got another competitive race this time on the turf.
4 Premium Forest a 12 time winner is the pick here. He was last seen running in the All American finishing 5th. He returns to a level where he can compete and then some. He can not only win on the tapeta but also the turf as he’s 4 for 6. Could see this horse sitting a cozy third up the backstretch and making his move on the turn.
2 Shot of a Lifetime was last seen pulling off a win at this condition going 1 mile. Today he gets an added furlong to contend with. In the past he’s finished behind our top pick quite often but can win on turf as well as tapeta. In a race lacking speed I could see Alejandro Gomez trying to steal it up front going gate to wire.
6 Builder finished 4th in a common race to the top pick. This horse hasn’t won since last April but faces an easier spot in terms of class today. He has run well against tougher in the past and a second start off the layoff can definitely bring improvement.
Other to consider: 1 Manila Mischief is a come from behind runner. Unfortunately this race lacks pace for him to chase. However he has missed the exacta only once in 6 tries on the Golden Gate turf and is coming out of a first level open allowance event.
Race 7: 1 Mile & 1/16 Tapeta $25,000 Allowance Optional Claiming 3 year olds & up (5-6-7)
A nice allowance event written on today’s program with not a lot of speed.
5 Many Roses is the one who appears to be the controlling speed. I’ve been a fan of this horse in the past but unfortunately he just goes too fast up front at times. If jockey Cristobal Herrera can ration the speed he could be tough to catch up front. He has been graded stakes placed in the past.
6 Full of Luck is one who could catch the top pick if he comes back to the field. This gelding is a perfect 2 for 2 over the Golden Gate tapeta. This horse takes the step into allowance company and could be sitting cozy in the second flight. William Antongeorgi iii gets aboard today for Steve Miyadi.
7 Uber Star gets back to his preferred tapeta surface. Last time he ran on turf and finished a decent third. Last out winner is running a race before so how that horse performs could be an indication for this runner. Interesting note is Kyle Frey gets aboard instead of Juan Hernandez.
Horse to watch: 1 Big Buzz will try the tapeta for the first time today. He is 1 for 20 and hasn’t won since early 2019. He would benefit from a pace meltdown. Juan Hernandez rides this runner here.
Race 8: 5 Furlongs Turf $20,000 Claiming F & M 3 & up (3-4-5)
Big field of 9 to dash 5 furlongs on turf. Rails will probably be at 0 feet and we look loaded with early speed.
3 Swirling is a runner who will stalk the pace and appreciate what the pace scenario looks like on paper. This mare ships in from Santa Anita and drops slightly in for 20. Two back she closed to win by a neck at 5.5 furlongs. I expect her to sit midfield today.
4 Amber Louise is a 14 time winning 7 year old. She is 5 for 6 at today’s distance but will face a tougher group. She had been previously running against a low starter allowance level. She’s in for a 20 tag today. She could sit midfield as well and look to rally by tired horses in the stretch.
5 Point Hope makes her second start off the claim for trainer Blaine Wright. She went off at 6/5 last time and today is 6/1. She does close from well out of it but she tends to get involved. David Lopez with the mount this time.
Others to consider: 7 Drift Away two back finished behind our top pick. She has also beaten her in the past however she tends to come from dead last. In turf sprints it’s extremely tough to go from last to first. First time in the Jonathan Wong barn as she ships up from Santa Anita. 8 Bako Sweets is interesting as she comes from the Andy Mathis barn. Yes, that Andy Mathis barn that swept 3 turf sprints last weeked. This mare is winless on turf but is worth a look if her tapeta form transfers.
Race 9: 1 Mile Tapeta $4,000 Claiming F & M 3 & up (1-10-4)
A loaded field of 10 lower claimers in the finale here.
1 Euphemistic is the top pick in here at 10/1. She has run well in the past over this tapeta surface with 6 wins in 18 tries (13 in the money). Two back at this level she ran second to Crazy Sexy Munny who is now in Kentucky after having ultra success over this tapeta. This will be her second start off a 6 month break and she’s routing. Her last effort was probably a warmup for today.
10 Miss Indefatigable is looking for her third straight win and figures to get play. She’s dropping in for 4 after winning for 6,250 and 5. However an outside post is a concern and there appears to be some speed to her inside. She might get caught wide on the first turn and could be vulnerable as the favorite.
4 Streetlightromance loves to run second as she’s done so 10 times. She drops in for a career low claiming tag hoping to regroup. She could benefit with a pace to chase and she has 2 wins in 8 tries at today’s distance (5 in the money).
Others to consider: 3 Girlsintheoffice goes long second start off the break. She is also in for a career low claiming tag and exits a common race to our top pick. She likes routing and could benefit from a hot pace. If not she’ll be picking up the pieces hoping for a minor share. 8 Crimson Cloud is a 9 year old returning to the track after an 11 month break. She likes to grind away in the stretch and we get a top jockey (Juan Hernandez) for a small barn (Roger Hansen).
Best Bet: Race 5 Malibu Alex 2/1
Price Play: Race 9 Euphemistic 10/1
It’s a super good Thursday card. Good luck and we’ll be back for a big Saturday program!