March, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Golden Gate Fields To Close Track, Stabling June 18-Aug. 7 To Address Sewer Infrastructure

Golden Gate Fields in Albany, Calif., will be closing its track and stable area for nearly two months this summer to address infrastructure issues related to orders from local officials, a statement from the 1/ST Racing track said on Wednesday.

The closure will be from June 18 through Aug. 7, the statement said. Racing in Northern California moves to the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton from June 17-July 10, according to dates approved by the California Horse Racing Board, then to the state fair at Cal Expo July 15-31. The Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa is scheduled to run from Aug. 3-16 but held its 2021 meet at Golden Gate Fields. The Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale is scheduled from Aug. 19-28,

The following was distributed by Golden Gate Fields:

On behalf of Pacific Racing Association and Golden Gate Fields (“GGF”), I write to inform you that GGF will need to close its track and stable area to all activities and occupants from June 18, 2022, through and including August 7, 2022, to provide safe and unimpeded access for required upgrades, repairs and inspection of the utility infrastructure serving the GGF facility. For the reason explained below, we will not be able to accommodate any live horse racing, training, or housing at the GGF property while the required work is being done. Please know that GGF is closing this summer because we have no choice.

GGF had to close its facility 15 years ago when we replaced the racetrack. Now, GGF is required to undertake steps to evaluate, repair, and replace sanitary sewer infrastructure serving the GGF facility in order to comply with legal requirements imposed upon GGF under the East Bay Municipal Utility District (“EBMUD”) Regional Private Sewer Lateral Ordinance (the “Regional Ordinance”). GGF has been working cooperatively with EBMUD and the City of Albany to facilitate GGF's full compliance with these legal requirements.

As required by the EBMUD Regional Ordinance, GGF prepared a Condition Assessment Plan which requires GGF to undertake an extensive evaluation of its more than 6,000 linear feet (more than one mile) of sanitary sewer laterals serving the GGF facility. The portions of that work scheduled during the period specified cannot be completed safely or expeditiously in the context of a fully operational training facility. GGF has been advised by its consulting contractor that the planned temporary closure is necessary to meet regulatory requirements and to avoid the inconvenience and risks to occupants and horses that would otherwise result from this work absent the planned temporary closure. Following completion, GGF will be required to prepare a Corrective Action Work Plan to complete additional repairs and replacements of portions of that infrastructure within timeframes required by the EBMUD Regional Ordinance.

We apologize for the inconvenience and pledge to work with stakeholders over the next three months to minimize the impact. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as GGF undertakes to comply with the EBMUD Regional Ordinance requirements in a manner that is protective of human health, safety and the environment.

Thank you very much.

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Suspension Is Up, But Parx Won’t Let Sanchez Ride

Mychel Sanchez's 60-day suspension for betting against himself is about to end, but that doesn't mean the jockey will be back in action any time soon. After being suspended for 60 days by the Pennsylvania Racing Commission, Sanchez is eligible to ride Tuesday, but Parx management did not allow trainers to name him on horses on Wednesday when entries were taken for next Tuesday's card.

“We tried to name him on horses for Tuesday after his suspension ends and they would not accept anyone naming him on a horse,” said Sanchez's attorney Alan Pincus.

Pincus added that he was not given any indication as to how long the ban from Parx would be in place.

Joe Wilson, Parx's chief operating officer, did not return a phone call Wednesday seeking comment and clarification.

Sanchez's status in Maryland is up in the air. After it was reported that Sanchez had placed bets against himself, The Stronach Group (TSG), which operates Laurel, announced that it would not allow Sanchez to ride at its tracks. Aidan Butler, TSG's chief operating answer, said via text that a final decision on Sanchez's status has yet to be reached. The first day Sanchez could possibly ride at Laurel is Mar. 25.

“No decision has been made yet,” Butler wrote. “I want my management to speak to him before any decision is made. It's a pretty serious deal.”

Sanchez was suspended in January after it was discovered that his recent betting activity, which included wagers of as much as $6,000 a race, included, during a brief period that started last December, at least six instances in which he bet on a horse going up against his own mount. The bets were placed in races at Parx and at Laurel and the racing commissions in both states suspended him for 60 days and ordered him to seek counseling for a gambling problem. The suspensions ran concurrently.

Ordinarily, a jockey would likely receive a suspension of well more than two months if caught betting against himself. But Pincus successfully argued that Sanchez was not trying to fix races and instead went on a gambling spree as a means to deal with his depression.

Pincus said that under Pennsylvania rules anyone barred at a track is entitled to a hearing, which he has requested.

“Obviously, Mychel is disappointed,” he said. “We went before two sets of impartial stewards [at Parx and at Laurel] who decided the penalty should be a total of two months. We trust their judgment. They are the only ones who have heard the actual facts of the case. We are eager to be able to explain the situation to the commission.”

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Trouble-Prone American Sanctuary Looking For Clean Trip In Hutcheson

Trainer Christopher Davis will saddle American Sanctuary Saturday at Gulfstream Park with the hope that the son of American Freedom will finally get a clear run in the $100,000 Hutcheson Stakes at the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track.

Dare to Dream Stable LLC's American Sanctuary has had troubled runs – sometimes of his own doing – in his last four races, most recently in the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar.

“He had some time trouble last year, unfortunately, in a bunch of his races. Starting with his first stake in Iowa right up to the Breeders Cup,” Davis said. “He's had some tough goes.”

The Hutcheson, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds, is featured on Saturday's program along with the $100,000 Any Limit, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies, and the $100,000 Silks Run, a five-furlong turf dash for older horses.

American Sanctuary graduated in his second career start at Prairie Meadows last July following a fourth-place finish in his debut over Arlington Park's all-weather surface. He hasn't had a clear run since. Making his stakes debut at six furlongs in his third start, American Sanctuary finished second after being bumped at the start and was forced to race three-wide. In the mile Sapling at Monmouth, he was herded four-wide in the stretch before finishing second. In the 1 1/16-mile Breeders' Futurity, he closed to finish a creditable fourth after stumbling at the start and twice racing in traffic.

“He stumbled out of the gate and was last in the Breeders' Futurity. He made a huge run up the rail and took all the dirt,” Davis said. “He came running. It's just hard to get home when you're 17 lengths back in a Grade 1.”

A slow start resulted in a seventh-place finish in the 1 1/16-mile Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

“He was second in two stakes with troubled trips and he finished fourth in a Grade 1 with an extremely troubled trip. I think he's right there with any of these horses,” Davis said. “Obviously, he's going to have to step up. Hopefully, he matured, like I think he has.”

American Sanctuary has pleased his trainer with his training and physical growth since his juvenile finale.

“He's come back better than he was last year. He's bigger, stronger. He seems like he's going in the right direction,” Davis said. “The Hutcheson might be a touch short for him. He's won going short, but against mediocre 2-year-olds. The ultimate game with him I think is the farther the better. We'll run in this race to get the year started and then point to bigger and better things.”

Jose Ortiz is slated to ride American Sanctuary for the first time.

Spendthrift Farm LLC and My Racehorse's Provocateur is set to make his first start at Gulfstream in the Hutcheson following a pair of solid efforts at Tampa Bay Downs, where he broke his maiden and finished second in the seven-furlong Pasco.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher gave the call aboard to son of Into Mischief to Irad Ortiz Jr.

William and Corinne Heiligbrodt and Spendthrift Farm LLC's Cattin enters the Hutcheson off a third-place finish in the Pasco. The Ralph Nicks-trained son of Neolithic had previously won the six-furlong Inaugural at Tampa Bay Downs.

R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Spedale Family Racing LLC's Nitrous Channel is set to make his anxiously awaited return from an eye-catching debut score at Gulfstream Park Feb. 5. The George Weaver-trained son of Nyquist romped to a 2 ¼-length victory at six-furlongs under Tyler Gaffalione, who has the return mount Saturday.

R.T. Racing Stable's Golden Juan, who finished third in the Feb. 18 Armed Forces over the Tapeta surface, is set for a return to the Gulfstream main track, over which he won his first two starts.

Inoel Beato, a Mid-Atlantic-based jockey, has been named to ride the son of Fed Biz.

Peacock Stable's Sport Pepper and Daniel Pita's Desert Ruler round out the field.

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Clairiere Much The Best At Fair Grounds

7th-Fair Grounds, $56,000, Alw (NW3$X)/Opt. Clm ($80,000), 3-16, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:43.21, ft, 6 1/2 lengths.

CLAIRIERE (f, 4, Curlin–Cavorting {MGISW, $2,063,000}, by Bernardini), fresh off a 2021 season that saw her victorious in both the GI Cotillion S. and the GII Rachel Alexandra S., got back in the winner's circle Wednesday to begin her 2022 campaign. Though a last out fourth by only three-quarters of a length to longshot Marche Lorraine (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, Clairiere posted a career-high 101 Beyer Speed Figure and seemed poised to come into the new year ready to roll. Bet down to the 1-9 favorite, she added lasix for the first time for trainer Steve Asmussen and got back at her preferred distance of 1 1/16-mile. She broke cleanly and rated back just off the rail behind the quick early pace of Super Quick (Super Saver). She was content in her position up the backstretch and advanced between horses entering the far turn when she swung outside of Audrey's Time (Uncle Mo) and Tizafeelin (Jimmy Creed). Though she switched back to her left lead and was slightly distracted down the stretch, Clairiere was unchallenged and crossed the wire 6 ½-lengths in front. Her dam, the MGISW Cavorting, had the full-brother to Clariere sell for $550,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and has also produced the stakes-winning filly La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro). She was bred back to leading sire Into Mischief for 2022. Lifetime Record: 11-4-3-2, GISW $1,324,592. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

B/O-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen.

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