The racing week at Golden Gate Fields wraps up here on a Monday with special holiday racing. A 7 race program today and I’m back off a quick 4 day return with no Thursday racing next week. We had a good Thursday with three top pick winners and three third pick winners. We’ll hope to keep the success going.
Race 1: Maiden Claiming $5,000 F & M 4yr olds & up (3-4-2-1)
3 My S V R shipped up last time out from SoCal and went as a heavy favorite. Was beaten by a second time starter who went off at big odds. She returns here for new trainer Steve Sherman who is very capable with runners in his barn for the first time. Will also take the class drop from maiden 8s to 5s. Could possibly go off at a short price again.
4 Noble Girl is a potential price at 5/1. She’s a 9 time maiden who has run similar races the last three times at this condition. Stalking the pace and making a mild late rally. I think with a rider switch to Julien Couton he could definitely improve this filly.
2 Enchanting Eva is making her third start in the form cycle off her two year layoff. She’s been bet down to being the post time favorite twice and has finished twice after setting the pace and tiring. It appears there may be more pace in this race so I could see her sitting close to the lead if not on it per usual.
Other to consider: 1 Dixie Peggy is a horse I liked last time with first time Hernandez getting aboard. She didn’t really fire too well turning for home. At 3/1 I might consider her underneath if she picks up the pieces late passing some runners.
Race 2: Claiming $3,200 F & M 4yr olds & up (6-3-2)
6 Missionelle is a horse that was in good form for a small barn trainer. She gets claimed by the biggest top barn in NorCal who strikes at 29% with his last 59 off the claim. In a race where pace is lacking I see this favorite going to the lead and bringing them home. She has been on the lead in the past and is capable of taking them all the way.
3 Florista takes a drop in class and I expect her to be more forwardly placed. Has finished third in this condition twice passing runners late. I think she’s just second best in this group.
2 Moscato Girl at a price underneath. In a race where speed is lacking this mare drops in class and goes from a sprint to a route. She might not be able to go all the way but she’ll definitely have a say in the minor awards. Gets preference over others based on forward positioning in a race lacking speed.
Race 3: Maiden Claiming $12,500 F & M 4yr olds & up (6-2-3)
6 Clochard Street will be the one to beat if she duplicates her race last time out. She was beaten by a runner who came back Thursday and won again. Won’t get her odds from last time out but will definitely be the one to beat.
2 Whata Flirta is a 22 time maiden. She’s got 11 seconds and she likes to pass runners late. The question will be whether it’s too late when she starts her running.
3 Whirling Candy second time sprinting at this condition and distance is a horse to watch for. She went to the front and tired late. May have gone too quick. I see improvement in this filly with top jockey Juan Hernandez hopping aboard.
Other to consider: 4 Sweet Chayane goes from a route to a sprint. If a pace battle ensues up front this long shot has a chance at big odds with her stamina from going long.
Race 4: Allowance Optional Claiming $40,000 3yr old fillies (5-2-4)
5 Beautiful Thunder won impressively sprinting 5 furlongs over the tapeta last time. I think she can only get better and she will get some added distance. She was purchased for 140k as a yearling. There has to be room for potential and improvement here.
2 No Cover Charge might be the one to beat. Sprint races have resulted in nothing worse than second. She ran into a Bob Baffert shipper in Eclair her last time out in a stake. Only thing I don’t like is the short price at 6/5.
4 I’m a Rockette has done nothing wrong. She’s a perfect 2 for 2 sprinting and routing. She will be coming late and the only concern is will there be enough speed for her to run into.
This race is wide open as the other two runners have their chances as well.
Race 5: Maiden Claiming $20,000 3yr old fillies (5-1-6)
5 It’s Big Aine took a tough beat last time as the favorite. Third time routing can bring some more improvement. Hoping she will sit closer to the pace today.
1 Princess Rio passed some runners late last time. She did it at big odds that day and was her first time routing. She will definitely improve today and I like her odds at 6/1.
6 Chante goes from a sprint to a route for trainer Michael Lenzini who has had success striking at 19% with his last 16 runners going from a sprint to route. She’s been passing runners sprinting and the question becomes whether she can take the distance. Is also stepping up in class for this test.
Race 6: Claiming $12,500 F & M 4yr olds & up (6-5-4-1)
6 Dreaming About You will go for two wins in a row. Expect her to benefit from a fast pace and come fly late down the stretch. Odds at 9/2 offer some value as well.
5 Leonilla is also looking for back to back wins. She climbs up the class ladder however she’s run in this condition sprinting and she passed runners that day. I expect with her route race last time she will fit into this condition today.
4 Hardsense has set the pace and faded against starter allowance company in the past. Now takes a big drop in class to the claiming ranks. Expect her to try to take them all the way or sit right off the speed and pounce.
Other to consider: 1 Becomes a Queen makes her second start off a layoff. I think her last race sprinting was on purpose to set her up going long. Should be coming late with gusto.
Race 7: Starter Allowance $4,000 4yr olds & up (3-1-5-4)
3 Prikati has run two good races over the course. A good second before coming back to win last time. He should benefit from a tiring speed if he’s positioned close to the front. His odds offer price potential as well at 6/1.
1 Flynn is definitely the quickest in the field. Has gone 3 for 4 and is dropping from an 8 claimer to starter 4. Lone concern is why’d he stop last time. Also trainer is still looking to breakthrough this meet.
5 Hill Croome comes in off a win. He sat off the pace and came home on top. He has shown speed in the past as well and could possibly go with Flynn. Would hope he sits close to the lead to get the first jump.
Other to consider: 4 Mirror Image takes a big drop in class from first level allowance races to starter allowance races. Trainer has had success with limited starters. Contender to watch out for.
Best bets: Race 2 Missionelle 1/1
Race 3 Clochard Street 2/1
Price plays: Race 4 Beautiful Thunder 6/1
Race 7 Prikati 6/1
Good luck today. Racing resumes Friday at Golden Gate. See you a week from Thursday.