Here you go!
Golden Gate selections for Sunday February 09, 2020 by Taylor Owens
Twitter: @owenstaylor10
Race 1: Maiden Claiming $25,000 for Fillies and Mares 3yo. 5 ½ furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 7-6-1
7. Sadie Bluegrass – This filly is dropping from the maiden special weight ranks to maiden claimers. She showed speed in her first start and was caught in a dual, but this was a pretty brave start on debut and I don’t think she’ll have the same trouble here.
6. Khaleesis Dragon – She showed mild improvement after being kept closer to the early pace last time, finishing third by only 2 ½ lengths, making her closest to the leader than she’s been. There isn’t a lot of speed in this race so I think this race will shape up to how she likes it.
1. Shake It Cali – She tends to settle mid-pack and gain ground late. I don’t see much in the way of speed in this race to set her up, but there also really aren’t much in the form of deep closers to catch her at the end. She has only been a length or less from the winner in her last two starts, so she’s been right there in the action at the wire which is definitely something to look at.
Race 2: Claiming $12,500 for 4 yo & up Which have never won two races. 6 furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 3-4-6
3. Persistence – He has shown early speed in previous starts, enough that I think he’ll be the one to set the early fractions. He has had a freshener and is coming back after having not ran since November, but he was consistent then and nothing suggests he’s tailed off.
4. Falcone – I expect him to go off as the favorite, and for every reason he should. This first time gelding is cutting back in distance, back to sprints, and is coming off the turf after having shipped north from Santa Anita. Additionally, this is a big class drip for Falcone and I like the jockey that was called to ride. I am trying to beat him with the 3 since that inside horse has more early speed, and going at a sprint that can be tough.
6. Aidan’s Harbor – He looks like he’s finally putting it together, stringing together 2 second-place finishes in a row. He was well clear of Persistence two starts ago (which isn’t why I put him third, but shows his class) and regular rider Couton is back aboard.
Race 3: Maiden Claiming $12,500 for Fillies and Mares 4yo & up. 6 furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 1-4-5
1. Chirp- This filly is shipping north from Santa Anita where she hasn’t been competitive in her last few starts. However I do like that Hernandez is aboard and you can’t go wrong whenever he and trainer Wong team up with a horse. Additionally, Chirp has had works over the track and I like to see that with new horses.
4. Rebel At Heart – has a pretty inconsistent running style. Does she come off the pace? Does she want the lead? I don’t think she nor her connections know quite yet and that’s why I’m not putting her first. She did have a good maintenance drill going 4 furlongs on February 1st, so I’m not completely counting her out.
5. Lydia O Lydia – At first glance you’ll notice she’s dropping from the maiden special ranks, but she’s not the only filly here that’s dropping. However, compared to the others I am more impressed by her body of works in particular and in four starts she has never been off the board. Definite factor here.
Race 4: Allowance Optional Claimer $40,000 for 3yo & up Which have never won $10,000. 6 furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 2-4-8-3
2. Admirably – Has shown some speed in the past. Ran against a good field last out and has no beat Cajun Bettor twice. Aside from attempt on turf, has not been off the board here at Golden Gate. I am also pretty attracted to the jockey, the trainer, and their stats combined that all reflect their individual and combined success.
4. Shuster – steps out of state-bred company today but also ships north from Del Mar and Santa Anita. This is a bit of a class drop but Shuster doesn’t have any published works over the surface, and I can rarely back a horse that hasn’t worked over the track.
8. Smileforme – Has had shown plenty of speed in last two starts that should earn him some success here. Went off at relatively long odds and spran a bit of an upset last out. Do note the solid 4 furlong work on February 2nd.
Race 5: State-bred Maiden Special Weight $39,000 for California bred/sired 3yo. 6 furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 4-6-3
4. El Centenario – Lost toa horse here two starts back (1 horse). Did show improvement las our so I think this colt could continue and factor here today.
6, Runkerry – Has shown speed in the past and I see no good reason this horse won’t use it here today. I’m not a huge fan of the trainer but I think the horse is talented enough to be a factor here.
3. Resilient – Slow body of works but they do show a solid foundation that doesn’t have too many holes. However I did notice that there is a lack of speed in the mornings, but this may just be one of this colts’ characteristics. I am also pretty high on this trainer and expect good things from this colt.
Race 6: Claiming $3,000B for Fillies and Mares 4yo & up. 5 ½ furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 8-3-7
8. I really like the owner and trainer here (hint; they’re the same) Ithink Bautista is off to a good start this season. I also really am a fan of the jockey choice here. This filly has had the majority of her on-the-board finishes here over this surface, including a very close third place finish last out. I do think this filly will continue to improve here.
3. Night of Idiots – Really like the trainer and jockey combination here as well. However, I put this horse below the 8 because they have a history of being relatively more inconsistent with their performances, so I don’t have the confidence they’d put up a win.
7.Sittin and Thinkin -This pick really came down to the jockey for me. As well, this horse has arguably been running a bit higher and has been competitive as of late.
Race 7: Maiden Special Weight $30,000. 4yo & up. 5 ½ furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 7-1-9
7. Emerald Magic – Have been placing here in 75% of his starts. He is cutting back a bit in distance and is keeping R. Gonzalez aboard, who has had a pretty successful beginning to 2020. I also like that the horse was pressed closer to the pace last time and showed mild improvement, which I expect to happen again today.
1. Tiz a Speed Bomb – You can excuse their last time start. What I like this time is that he drew the inside rail so I’m hopeful that there will be less distractions to him. This is a step up from before but he has shown some quick early speed that should prove advantageous.
9. Continental Union – First I notinced the trainer stats here, and I liked what I saw, including lifetime and sprint stats. This horse also has Hernandez aboard and, even when off the board, this horse is almost always there at the end.
Race 8: Claiming $20,000. 4yo & up. 1 mile. All-Weather. Picks: 7-6-2-4
7. Top of the Game – Wired the field easily last out going 1 mile for the 4th time in as many starts. Before that, almost did it again before losing by ½ length. Ships north from Santa Anita from the claiming $10k ranks.
6. River of Champagne – Belonging to the stable of a pretty decent trainer, I also like that R Gonzalez is aboard. Has had speed here on multiple surface-all-weather and turf-but is a bit more inconsistent than my 7 horse. Still I like the speed which is why I’m putting him here
2. Dano’s Dream- Keep regular jockey and has been competitive at this level in the pasat. Since defeat to Uber Star, my fourth pick, Dano’s Dream has registered two recent works which effectively show his fitness and readiness.
Race 9: Allowance Optional Claiming for $25,000. For Fillies and Mares 4yo & up which have never won $10,000 won. 1 ⅛ mile. All-Weather. Picks: 3-8-1
3. Fabriana – Super consistent at Golden Gate all-weather surface. I am willing to excuse the last start-we all have bad days-and otherwise this horse has been super consistent and should be coming in fit.
8. Sloane Garden – Never off the board. Has been racing in a few stakes races and was competitive. Keeps regular jockey for the mount and should keep improving.
1. Casino Games – Good early speed that, in the past, has seen her to a win or two. She doesn’t need the lead, so she’s versatile in that regard, and could be tough today.
Race 10: Allowance $31,000 for 4yo & up Which have never won $10,000 once. 5 ½ furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 2-3-5
2. Tap It Champ – Currently riding a three race win streak and hoping to make it four. Beat two of these horses at about this level last out.
3. Concensus – Bad day last out? Had been pretty consistent before then so I’m willing to forgive thiat clunker. Has shown some speed in the past and if he could use it today that would benefit him.
5. Sunrise Journey – Flip flops back and forth in showing. Is going back to Hernandez, which I really like this change back, and the early speed should hopefully help him settle into a comfortable post position.