Racing! Golden Gate adds a racing day on May 31

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as things seem to be going well at Golden Gate Fields.

Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields are more than sister tracks, in fact, they are more like conjoined twins. So, it’s worth noting when one of them, especially the less equal of the two, breaks ranks.

On Saturday, it was announced that Golden Gate will be adding one day of racing on Thursday, May 31. It will go along with an extra Memorial Day card on May 28. So, the natural assumption is that Santa Anita would follow suit.

But that would be wrong.

“We’re going to give Golden Gate that day all by itself,” said Tim Ritvo, who runs all the Stronach Group tracks, which includes Santa Anita and Golden Gate. “Business is good and the turf is in great shape, so we’re hoping for a big day.”

The announcement cited a 31% increase in all sources handle and promised a card filled with turf races. Once the meet ends on June 10, there is no turf racing in Northern California for seven weeks as the fair circuit takes over.

This is an indication that Golden Gate is doing well but not necessarily that Santa Anita is not doing well. In fact, the numbers at Santa Anita are up. And best of all, Santa Anita has not canceled any racing because of lack of horses, which it did last year on four occasions.

When Ritvo came to Santa Anita just short of a year ago, he identified the shortage of horses as the biggest problem. The “ship and stay” incentive program has brought in about 100 “new” horses accounting for more than 200 starts.

On Friday, 19 horses entered a $30,000 maiden claimer race for 3 year olds. Santa Anita created a second race for those conditions on Friday. The track is building its population not from the top, but the bottom. The strategy seems to be working.

Tough racing day

Two stakes horses were euthanized on Saturday. Ten Blessings, the second favorite in the Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita, fractured both front sesamoids in the race as he was running on the far turn. Jockey Drayden Van Dyke pulled the horse up but too much damage had been done. At Keeneland, Grade 1 winner Bullards Alley, who was running his 40^th race, suffered a fracture to his left hind early in the running of the Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes. The gelding’s biggest win was last year in the Canadian International Stakes.

Santa Anita review

Bobby Abu Dhabi was the easy winner of the Grade 2 $200,000 Kona Gold Stakes over 6 ½ furlongs. It was a short field of five and Bobby Abu Dhabi sat in the stalking position just off stablemate Calculator. Entering the stretch he moved even and then eventually forged ahead to beat Random The Moon by 1 ¼ lengths.

Bobby Abu Dhabi paid $7.20, $3.20 and $2.60 for trainer Peter Miller and jockey Victor Espinoza.

“For some reason, he’s been a little sharper leaving the gate in his last two races,” Espinoza said. “Calculator showed a lot of speed, so I eased off him a little bit. This horse is really focused right now and moving forward.”

In the Grade 3 $100,000 American Stakes going a mile on the turf, What A View went gate to wire to hold off Colonist to win by a neck. It was a smart ride by Stewart Elliott for the gelding trained by former jockey Kenny Black.

What A View, a Cal-bred, paid $14.20, $7.80 ad $4.20.

“From everything he’d been showing me, I thought he’d run his race today,” Black said. “But, you don’t know until they do it.”

Santa Anita preview

Sunday has a nine-race card with the new Mimosa start of 11:30 a.m. There are four turf races including the $100,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes over the rarely seen 1 ¾ miles on the turf. What makes this race so fun is it starts at the top of the 6 ½ furlong downhill turf course, crosses the dirt, then back on the grass and when the horses pass the finish line, they still have one more time around the track to go. Track announcer Michael Wrona is vigilant in telling fans that the first time across the finish line is not it, but, yet, some never get it.

Nessy is the 6-5 favorite, running his first race at Santa Anita. He ships in from the East where he was running in Florida, Kentucky and New York. He’s been running in stakes company with a third, second and second in his last three races. Mike Smith got the ride, so you know they are serious. Rye, at 3-1, is the second favorite, for William Morey and Kent Desormeaux. It’s the sixth race at about 2:10 p.m.

Big Races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Saturday.

Aqueduct: $100,000 Woodhaven Stakes, 3 year olds, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Sand Dancer ($5.40 to win)

Laurel: $100,000 Primonetta Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Chalon ($3.60)

Woodbine: $100,000 Wando Stakes, 3 year olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Inge ($10.60)

Laurel: $100,000 Dahlia Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Hallie Belle ($31.20)

Laurel: $125,000 Weber City Miss Stakes, fillies 3 years old, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Goodonehoney ($8.40)

Woodbine: $100,000 Jacques Cartier Stakes, 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Pink Lloyd ($3.10)

Santa Anita: Grade 2 $200,000 Kona Gold Stakes, 3 and up, 6 ½ furlongs. Winner: Bobby Abu Dhabi ($7.20)

Laurel: $100,000 Henry S. Clark Stakes, 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Caribou Club ($15.20)

Keeneland: Grade 2 $250,000 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes, 4 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Winner: One Go All Go ($21.20)

Charles Town: Grade 2 $1.2 million Charles Town Classic, 4 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Something Awesome ($20.60)

Laurel: $125,000 Fedrico Tesio Stakes, 3 year olds, 1 1/18 miles. Winner: Diamond King ($6.60)

Aqueduct: New York Stallion-Park Avenue Division, fillies 3 years old, 6 ½ furlongs. Winner: Baby Boss ($48.80)

Santa Anita: Grade 3 $100,000 American Stakes, 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Winner: What A View ($14.20)

Big races preview

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Sunday. All times PDT:

1:44 Aqueduct: $100,000 New York Stallion-Times Square Division, 3 year olds, 6 ½ furlongs. Favorite: A True Giant (6-5)

1:53 Woodbine: $125,000 Queenston Stakes, Canada-bred 3 year olds, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Blueblood (2-1)

2:08 Santa Anita: Grade 3 $100,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes, 3 and up, 1 ¾ miles on turf. Favorite: Nessy (6-5)

2:17 Aqueduct: $100,000 Memories of Silver Stakes, fillies 3 years old, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Signkificant Form (6-5)

Bob Ike’s SA play of the day

EIGHTH RACE: No. 5 Bear Skinned (8-1)

Bottom-level claimer came up two noses short last time after dropping farther back than expected when facing similar going 5 1/2 furlongs. He flees the rail today and the extra half-furlong works in his favor, so look for a good effort at a square price.

Saturday Result: Ancient Secret ($4.60) was bet like she couldn't lose and didn't (barely), getting up by a nose at the wire.

Bob Ike is a Partner/VP of Horsebills.com (here’s a video) and the proprietor of BobIkePicks.com (full-card picks, 3 Best Plays and betting strategy).

Ed Burgart LA play of the day

SIXTH RACE: No. 6 Just A Kid (5-2)

He gets a comfortable outside post draw for his new connections of owner Agustin Murillo and trainer Jesus Nunez. They claimed this gelding from a troubled third-place effort as the 8-5 favorite when he threw his head up in the air briefly after veering out two lanes to get bumped in the early stages before moving well during the final 1/16. His prior maiden win came when he was on the far outside.

Final thoughts

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And now the stars of the show, Saturday’s results and Sunday’s entries.

MS PEINTOUR saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch, took the lead under urging three deep in midstretch and won clear under steady handling late. CASINO RED (IRE) stalked outside a rival then three deep leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and gained the place. TRAVIEZA three deep into the first turn, angled in and stalked a bit off the rail then outside a rival leaving the second turn, came three wide into the stretch, split horses and drifted in a bit past midstretch and edged a foe for third. FLAMMETTA pressed the pace outside a rival, was between horses in midstretch, drifted out some from the whip nearing the sixteenth pole and was edged for the show. STREETWITHNONAME saved ground chasing the pace, moved up inside into the stretch, came out in midstretch, steadied in tight off heels between foes nearing the sixteenth pole and was outfinished for a minor award. CLASSY ATLANTIC bobbled at the start, had speed outside a rival then angled in, set a pressured pace inside, fought back in midstretch and weakened some late. FLORISTA (IRE) broke a bit slowly, settled off the pace inside, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. Following a stewards' inquiry and a claim of foul by the rider of STREETWITHNONAME against TRAVIEZA for alleged interference past midstretch, FLAMMETTA was disqualified and placed fifth for interference nearing the sixteenth pole.

LUCKY STAXX stalked outside foes then three deep on the turn and into the stretch, bid three wide under some left handed urging in midstretch to gain the lead past the eighth pole and drew clear. KING DARIUS had good early speed and dueled outside a rival, took a short lead leaving the turn, fought back off the rail in midstretch, then could not match the winner while clearly second best. ANZIYAN CAT stalked the pace between horses then a bit off the rail leaving the turn, went outside a rival in midstretch, drifted in late but gained the show. TAP YOU'RE IT broke inward and bobbled in a bit of a slow start, settled outside then off the rail, came four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. PURE PURSUIT sent inside early, dueled along the rail, fought back leaving the turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. HIDDEN CROOK close up stalking the pace off the rail, angled to the inside on the turn and weakened in the drive. SUPER STORM broke a bit slowly, chased off the rail on the backstretch and turn and a bit wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. HAND TIMED.

LEWIS VALE chased outside a rival then inside on the backstretch and into the second turn, came out leaving that turn and three deep into the stretch, took the lead three wide in midstretch and inched away under some urging late. MESA SKY stalked inside then a bit off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter on the second turn, took the lead into the stretch, fought back inside the winner in the drive but could not quite match that one late. SENSE OF GLORY a bit washy at the gate, took the early lead, angled in on the first turn and set the pace inside, dueled on the second turn and into the stretch and bested the others. MATRICULATE came off the rail into the backstretch to chase the pace, went outside a rival on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. ABOVE BOARD stalked outside the runner-up then off the rail on the second turn and three deep into the stretch, drifted inward in the final furlong and weakened.

ANY QUESTIONS stalked three deep, surged to the front three wide on the backstretch, kicked clear and angled in and proved best under urging. AVENTADOR (FR) angled in and stalked inside, split horses into the second turn, continued along the rail, came out a bit past midstretch and gained the place. BROKEN UP chased inside, came out on the backstretch, went three deep into and on the second turn and into the stretch and bested the others. TRIFECTA chased outside, advanced three deep leaving the backstretch then stalked outside a rival on the second turn and into the stretch and was outfinished for third. ZAPANA'S GAME angled in and dueled outside a rival, stalked a bit off the rail into and on the second turn and into the stretch, was between horses in midstretch and weakened late, then tied up and collapsed after being unsadd.led but was walked off. MALKO (IRE) saved ground off the pace, went around a rival on the second turn then continued inside and lacked the needed rally. COMES THE DREAM stalked between horses, came out into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. BOURBON SOUL settled outside a rival then off the rail, continued outside on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and did not rally. CONQUEST DADDYO angled in and pulled under restraint, dueled inside, dropped back into and on the second turn and had little left for the stretch.

BOBBY ABU DHABI prompted the pace inside then stalked midway on the turn, re-bid along the fence leaving the turn to gain the lead, kicked clear in the stretch and held under some urging and steady handling late. RANSOM THE MOON stalked outside then three deep on the turn, was fanned out some into the stretch and continued willingly but could not catch the winner. BLAMEITONTHELAW saved ground stalking the pace, came out on the turn and three wide into the stretch and picked up the show. CALCULATOR had good early speed and dueled outside the winner, inched away just off the rail on the turn, continued between foes past the quarter pole, drifted out into the stretch, then drifted in through the final furlong and weakened. TEN BLESSINGS stalked the pace a bit off the rail, took a bad step on the turn, was pulled up and vanned off.

ANCIENT SECRET saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch, split rivals in midstretch and rallied under urging to get up in the final stride. SYMPOSIUM (GB) had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away leaving the hill, responded when challenged again in the stretch, edged away from her pace rival in deep stretch and was caught on the line. BLAME IT ON ALPHIE chased outside then three deep on the hill and into the stretch and just edged a rival for the show. ALGORHYTHMIC dueled outside the runner-up then stalked a bit off the rail leaving the hill, bid outside that one again in the stretch and was edged late for third. MONGOLIAN SHOPPER stalked just off the rail then inside on the hill, came a bit off the fence in the stretch and lacked the needed rally. CORDIALITY pulled her way along and steadied at the right hand curve, stalked outside a rival, came out into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. DESERT STEEL chased off the rail then between foes on the hill, came out in upper stretch and did not rally. MELISSA JANE (GB) broke a bit slowly, settled off the rail, angled in some leaving the hill, came out into the stretch and lacked a further response. Rail on hill at zero.

CHRISISCOOKIN had good early speed and angled in, dueled a bit off the rail then inside on the turn and in the stretch and held on gamely under urging. LIBERTY JACK dueled outside the winner throughout, fought back through a stiff drive and held second between foes late. DAD'S A GAMBLER three deep early, angled in and chased just off the rail, came out in the stretch and finished willingly outside the top pair late. INFORMALITY chased off the rail then three wide on the turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. TOWARDS THE LIGHT saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch, drifted in some through the final furlong and weakened. MAGICAL MORE dropped back off the rail then went between horses early, settled outside a rival on the backstretch and turn and lacked a response in the drive. TRUE RANGER saved ground off the pace, continued inside on the turn and in the stretch and had little left for the drive.

WHAT A VIEW sped to the early lead, set a pressured pace inside, inched away on the second turn and into the stretch and held on gamely under left handed urging. COLONIST stalked the pace inside then between rivals leaving the backstretch and on the second turn, came three deep into the stretch, drifted in some in the final furlong and finished willingly outside the winner. KENJISSTORM three deep early, chased outside a rival, went up four wide leaving the backstretch and on the second turn and into the stretch and bested the others. BLACKJACKCAT pressed the pace between horses then stalked outside a rival on the second turn, continued between foes into the stretch, drifted to the inside in the final furlong and weakened some. RITZY A. P. pulled along the inside and came out into the first turn, angled in and stalked inside, steadied along the rail past the quarter pole and lacked a rally in the lane. MR. ROARY pulled between horses and steadied and came out off heels into the first turn, chased outside a rival, went up three deep between foes leaving the backstretch, angled in outside a rival on the second turn and weakened. SAWYER'S HILL prompted the pace three deep, dropped back between horses on the second turn and had little left for the stretch.

QUEEN LAILA pressed the pace three deep, took the lead in upper stretch, inched away under urging in midstretch and drew clear under a hold late. FAIR REGIS had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back into the stretch, was not a match for the winner thereafter but held second. PRINCESS KENDRA settled a bit off the rail, went outside a rival leaving the turn, came out into the stretch and put in a late bid at the place. PRINCESS ASHLYN dueled between horses on the backstretch and turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. GLORIOUS HOUR chased a bit off the rail, angled in on the turn, came out into the stretch and did not rally. POWDER four wide early, was pulled up approaching the five eighths pole and walked off.

DESERT GENERAL stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter early on the backstretch then tracked again leaving the backstretch, bid again alongside that one nearing the stretch to gain the lead while being floated out some into the stretch and drew clear under urging. PLAIN WRAP chased a bit off the rail then outside a rival on the second turn, came out into the stretch, was a bit crowded and forced out some nearing the sixteenth pole and gained the place. WILL TELL sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, responded on the backstretch and inched away from the winner nearing the half mile pole, came a bit off the rail while battling inside the winner into the stretch, came out again nearing the sixteenth marker and just held third between foes late. ROLLS ROYCE DEAL saved ground chasing the pace throughout and was edged for third. CONTINENTAL DIVIDE chased outside a rival then three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch, steadied when crowded nearing the sixteenth pole and was edged for a minor award three wide on the line. INFURIATED GARY angled in on the first turn and saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside into the stretch and lacked a rally. DULUTH broke in the air and slowly, settled off the pace inside, came out into the stretch and also lacked a rally. ACCREDITATION four wide early and three deep into the first turn, stalked outside a rival, was between horses into the second turn, dropped back on that turn, drifted out into the stretch, gave way and was eased in the drive. Following a claim of foul by the rider of CONTINENTAL DIVIDE against WILL TELL, the latter was disqualified and placed fifth for interference past midstretch.

PEACH COVE (NZ) angled in on the first turn and stalked inside then a bit off the rail on the second turn, bid outside the pacesetter past the eighth pole to gain the lead, inched clear under urging and held. SALSITA angled in and settled off the pace inside, came out on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and finished well. RYDER'S STARLIGHT three deep into the first turn, angled in and chased inside, cut the corner into the stretch, split rivals in deep stretch to gain the show. RESKY BUSINESS stalked a bit off the rail then three deep into and on the second turn and into the stretch and was edged for third. OK DOLL chased inside then between foes, went three wide between horses on the second turn, angled in outside a rival into the stretch and also was edged for a minor award. LOOKINFORADANGER had speed outside then alongside a rival, angled in and set the pace inside, battled briefly inside the winner past midstretch and weakened late. BACKINTHEACADEMY four wide into the first turn, chased outside then three deep, went four wide on the second turn and into the stretch and lacked a response in the drive. REVENUE VIRGINIUS chased between horses, went up four wide on the second turn and three deep into the stretch and weakened. ADIOS CALI stalked inside then a bit off the rail, continued between horses on the second turn, dropped back leaving that turn and gave way. TODOS SANTOS pulled her way along four wide into and on the first turn, drifted out into the backstretch, had the saddle slip forward and was pulled up but walked off.