Golden Gate selections for Sunday May 31, 2020 by Taylor Owens
Twitter: @owenstaylor10
Race 1 – Claiming $4,000 for Fillies & Mares, Non-Winners of 2 Races. 3yo & up. 1 Mile. All-Weather. Picks: 1-6
1. Waverly Way – There’s a lot to like about this filly, who draws the rail for today’s race. I’m not worried about the one position because there isn’t a lot of speed into in this race, and it sets her up well going into the turn. She already has one race since March. I really liked that she went short there because I think it’ll have her in form for this 1 mile event. Looking at her past performances, you can see she usually needs that first race and comes back well, so look for her to be competitive today.
6. Lizzy’s Inthegame – This filly has shown a lot of improvement since December and has been pretty consistent to show in these last several starts. Two back she didn’t have the best trip and ran 5th in a race that saw Waverly Way run second. I thought she ran better in her last race to win third, and while her works haven’t been blazing she has several recorded and should be ready to go today.
Race 2 – Claiming $3,200 for Non-Winners of 2 Races. 3yo & up. 5 ½ furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 5-4
5. Raindance Rules – I’m looking forward to his second start off a nearly two year layoff. This gelding was competitive running higher before his time away, and his return saw him competitive early before falling back. However, the early part of his race was inspiring and he has a good recent work, so I’m going to give him a shot here.
4. Carters Blue – Recent form suggests he’s sitting on a win, but it’s been a while since he’s found his way to the winners circle and just can’t seem to get by late. With two horses in the field figuring to be sent to the lead early I’m going to play Carters Blue to pick up the pieces.
Race 3 – Claiming $4,000 for Non-Winners of 2 Races. 3yo & up. 1 Mile. All-Weather. Picks: 6-2
6. Clarence Heads – I almost didn’t put him on top because of his outside draw, and he hasn’t done super well going a mile from this post or further. However he does have a start in May and narrowly missed second last time out. He’s in form, and I think given his body of work and past performances he is a solid win contender.
2. Aerial Decoy – At first glance you’ll note that he ran fifth last time out after consecutive second-place finishes. However, he was able to gain several lengths while going wide on the turn, so that finish is better than it looks. He comes in on several short works though, and while he’s hit the board in three of his four 2020 starts, he hasn’t run since March. He may be vulnerable today.
Race 4 – Claiming $10,500-12,500 for 3yo & up. 6 furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 5-4
5. Drinkin and Dialin – This is a very competitive field of six in this race. With that said, I really like the form shown in the works this gelding has put together this month. Prior to today he made two class jumps, winning or placing in all three of his last races. If his workouts are honest, he will be the one to beat today.
4. Arno’s Mane Man – A consistent competitor at Golden Gate, he always seems to overcome traffic trouble and give it his all. I really like the jockey and trainer combination on this horse, and his race last time out was a decent effort in a step up. Back down to this level, look for him charging late.
Race 5 – Allowance Optional Claiming $40,000 for Fillies & Mares. 3yo & up. 5 ½ furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 3-2-5
3. Magna Rose – Off since November, she ended 2019 with several top finishes against stakes company and will be looking for her first win at this track against some tough company. She has some good works coming into this race and drew a good post, so I’m going to put her on top in her return race.
2. Misirlou – A very talented two-year-old, she makes her 2020 debut here and if she retains form she will put up a gritty finish. I would have liked to see a little bit more speed in her works for this spot and that’s why I’m not putting her to win, but I do like that 6 furlong move on May 17.
Race 6 – Claiming $18,000-20,000 for Non-Winners of 2 Races. 3yo & up. 5 ½ furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 6-3
6. Temple Knights – Off the board in 2 starts here, he’s been running at Los Alamitos and Santa Anita and has done well for Morfin since the claim. He comes in off an allowance effort and a bullet half mile work on May 22. I think he’ll do well in his return to Golden Gate.
3, Smokin Blackjack – The speed in this race, he’s been running higher but disappointed as the favorite at this level last out. He shouldn’t have any duel today and should have a relaxed lead, but he’s been consistently caught at the wire and I think the 6 will be the horse to do that today.
Race 7 – $75,000 California Oaks for Filles 3yo. 1 1/16 Miles. All-Weather. Picks: 2-3
2. Dynasty of Her Own – 2-2 at Golden Gate, this talented filly is already a stakes winner and has won since returning from Sunland Park. I’m not worried about the short break and think Wong will have her ready to roll today as he does well with bringing horses back. This is a good field she’s facing today, but she’s always competitive and her works suggest she’s the one to beat today.
3. Paige Anne – She ran fourth in her most recent start against a quality field in a grade 3. Now shipping to Golden Gate where she already has a win over the surface. She has a slew of 5 furlong works and she beat some of this field two back. I didn’t put her on top because I do think she will need a start since she’s been off, but she’ll be competitive.
Race 8 – Claiming $12,500-10.500 for Fillies & Mares Non-Winners of 2 Races. 3yo & up. 1 Mile. Turf. Picks: 1-6
1. Odessa – I think she’s the standout in this field and has a recent start that will help her form. That start was on the turf, which she lost by a neck. Her post will help her get up close or on the lead, and we’ve seen consistent gradual improvement in her recent starts so she should continue to step up today.
6, Senorita Cometa – She may go off a bit longer than her morning line, and she hasn’t raced since December, but last out she beat Loretta, which is a filly that’s beaten some horses in this field that arguably look better on paper than Senorita Cometa. She showed some solid potential back in August, and after her recent 5 furlong work I think she could definitely show today.