The last Christmas present to unwrap for Northern California racing fans comes a day after Christmas with opening day at Golden Gate Fields. Special first post time of 12:15 with 9 races carded. Post time each day unless otherwise noted is 12:45. It doesn’t seem like there will be turf racing until late March as there has been rain in the Bay Area and the turf gets rested during the early portion of the year. Here are my thoughts on the opening day program.
Race 1: $6,250 claiming F & M 3 & up (2-6-4)
#2 Sea Myrtle has good recent form with 3 wins in her last 4 starts. Gets the fall jockey champion Juan Hernandez aboard. Won last time out even though she bobbled early. She should be coming late and benefits from the 6 furlong distance. #6 C C the Bartender looks to be the classiest horse in the field based on her allowance runs earlier this year. In for a trainer that has won the last couple training titles. Class drop from open 16 claimers to beaten 6250 might be the difference. #4 A Filly Can Dream at a price underneath could possibly spice up the prices. She appears to be one with speed compared to the other runners in here. Speed and fade against tougher company last two tries and takes a slight class drop from beaten 8 claimers. #5 Todos Santos is a horse that maybe takes the dirt surface better. Hasn’t run the best in two tries over the tapeta. Does take a big drop from 20 claimers but is a bit vulnerable as the 9/5 morning line favorite in my opinion.
Race 2: $12,500 maiden claiming Fillies 2 yr olds (4-1-5)
#4 Ceeya Later has enjoyed going two turns her last two times. She looks to be a horse from off the pace and has finished ahead of a couple others in this race. #1 Angelin the Harbor adds blinkers after stalking the pace and tiring last time out. Will look to turn the tables on the favorite. #5 Chieftess ships in for new trainer O J Jauregui and will be trying two turns for the first time. Ran good races down south finishing in the money last three tries. New surface and distance will be the only question mark. #6 Roses for Doug has not finished on the board in six tries. Second time tapeta but has to pick up some lengths on the other runners in the common last out race.
Race 3: $4,000 claiming 3 & up (3-5-4)
#3 Hot’n Notty has enjoyed recent success at a slightly lower level with two wins in his last two starts. One of the horses here offering good form and is a good price at 10/1. I’m willing to take his odds with others here likely to get play. #5 Zippy Groom is another horse with a nice price. 6/1 on the morning line. He’s been handled well by Frank Alvarado his last two tries. Horse should benefit from a quick pace. Only concern is you need to dig through the pp’s and more for his last win. #4 Mr. Diplomat is interesting having broken his maiden against maiden special weights. He tested starter allowance company but quickly dropped all the way down the claiming ladder. Last win came against 3200 company and has faced tougher since being claimed that day. Reuniting with catalino Martinez who rode his maiden breaker.
#1 Many Moods the morning line favorite at 2/1 is beatable. He does bring speed but couldn’t finish the job last out at this level at 6/5. He should benefit in the cutback from 6 to 5.5 furlongs. However if others hook him into a pace duel (6 or 7 look quick) he will be gassed into the stretch.
Race 4: $4,000 claiming F & M 3 & up (2-4-1)
#2 Norwegian comes in first off the claim for Quinn Howey who strikes at 37% in his last 30. This horses lone win came over this surface last December. If she runs her best race she should win. However she’s been beaten favorite in her last four attempts. #4 My Idol has about a length to make up on the favorite and could catch some pace to run at with runners on the engine early (3 & 7). Expect her mid pack looking to make her run around the far turn. #1 Lizzy’s Inthegame is a price play to consider underneath at 20/1. I don’t think she’ll win looking at her form recently but if I only look at her routes on tapeta she’s considerable. She will hope for pace to chase. 6 Lucille always seems to run her race and come up just short. She’s 0 for 10 on the year and I think she’s a better runner on turf even though her lone win comes over the tapeta.
Race 5: $50,000 Starter Allowance Fillies 2 yr olds (4-1-5)
#4 Fire Diamonds broke her maiden last time out going wire to wire. She was able to re-rally despite being headed in the stretch. She may be tactical today and possibly sit off the sprinter speeds (3 & 6). #1 Mollie O’ McEvoy is a daughter of clubhouse ride and may enjoy the route distance. Won despite a slow hop out of the gate. It will be interesting to see where she sits early in the race. #5 Friend of Autism is a daughter of oxbow so distance should not be an issue. She enters the same condition as she did last time and second time routing may show improvement. Also reunites with jockey William Anotongeorgi III who guided her to two starts back. #7 Born to Reign is a good price horse to use underneath. She offers good value at 10/1. I expect her to sit off the pace and make a run late. Comes out of a common race with the 5 three lengths behind.
Race 6: $12,500 claiming F & M 3 & up (1-6-7)
#1 American Royalty ran a great race last time off an eleven month break. It appears they just wanted to send her and see how much she has left in the tank turning for home. She hung around and finished second beaten half a length. I expect her to sit off the pace today and make a run. Second start off a lay-off can provide improvement. #6 English Empress spots a perfect 1 for 1 on the tapeta. Broke the maiden for 12500 and is for this claiming tag after testing starter allowance company on turf last out. Is in an easier spot and at 10/1 that’s a good price. #7 Rouge Bouquet runs a very consistent race every time. I expect her to sit off the pace and make one run late. She is 0 for 9 on tapeta but has finished in the money 6 of the 9 times.
#2 Pacific Strike has been a beaten favorite her last two tries. She’s installed as the morning line favorite with 7 pound apprentice Juan Espinoza in the irons. I’m willing to beat her as she’s winless this year.
Race 7: $25,000 maiden claiming Fillies 2 yr olds (6-7-5)
Interesting group of 2 year old fillies to handicap in the 7th. #6 Trouble N Paradise debuted at a lower level claiming tag. Trainer Steve Sherman steps her up in class showing confidence that the debut wasn’t a fluke. His runners also seem to benefit second time out. #7 In It for Life is a home bred debuting for Jonathon Wong who has a nice win clip of 19% with debut maiden claimers. #5 Miss Ski is another newcomer from the William Delia barn. 30% with debut maiden claimers as well as 20% with first time starters. Teams up with Catalino Martinez as the tandem have had success this year. #2 Lace ships up from SoCal after facing tougher. 10 Smiling Grace is a daughter of smiling tiger and is interesting at 10/1. Maybe a horse to keep an eye on.
Race 8: $40,000 claiming 3 & up (7-6-3)
First leg of the late double offers a competitive and talented group of runners. #7 Sequentially will be looking for back to back wins. One of two for the owner trainer team. I expect him to benefit from a hot pace up front (1,2,3,4). Pattern shows he could run another good race. #6 Midnight Ming another runner who will benefit from pace as he will also be coming late. Missed by a nose last time. He is also a consistent in the money finisher. #3 Indian Zip is a horse that can run on any surface with wins on dirt, turf, and tapeta. He will show speed and try to shake off the early pace. His last three runs on tapeta: stakes race and beaten by a stakes placed runner twice. #4 Quick and Silver is a good veteran. 8 year old with 16 wins over the tapeta. Merits respect but the form of late has been speed and fade with lots of speed installed here.
Race 9: $5,000 claiming F & M 3 & up (5-6-7)
#5 Propeppy has been a very consistent runner at these lower level claiming events. Can’t find the last time she was off the board. Hoping she’ll sit mid pack and make a run turning for home. #6 Pattyville had success earlier in the year. Third start since the break may turn things around. She reunites with a jockey who rides her well. Price is also right 8/1. #7 Power of Nine is a talented 10 year old. Does have 9 wins along with 27 out of 33 in the money finishes. Is taking a drop in class and maybe past his best.
Best bet: I have two best bets today. Race 1 Sea Myrtle 7/2 Race 9 Propeppy 4/1
Price play: Race 3 Hot’n Notty 10/1
Best of luck on opening day at Golden Gate Fields. Where the bay comes to play