Berkeley Handicap class from top to bottom

It may be spin to call a field small but select, but that description holds true in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Berkeley Handicap at Golden Gate Fields.

All five in the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta race for 3-year-olds and up are stakes winners, including Tamarando, who won the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at 2. Stryker Phd and G. G. Ryder both have a pair of graded stakes wins, and Southern Freedom fell a neck shy of a graded win in this year’s Grade 3 All American. Only Bronze Star is making his graded-stakes debut, and he’s the sharpest runner in the field, with wins in the Oak Tree Handicap and Bull Dog and a second in the Rolling Green in his last three starts.

Stryker Phd, a two-time winner of the Grade 3 Longacres Mile, is running in the Berkeley for the third time. The 7-year-old Bertrando gelding was fifth in the 2013 edition and third in 2014.

Trainer Larry Ross has pointed Stryker Phd to this race since he completed a summer campaign at Emerald Downs.

“I was hoping he’d get a prep here three weeks ago, but the race didn’t fill,” said Ross. “He’s been working well, and in a couple of his works he had a couple horses break off in front of him. He’s so competitive that I think it made him go faster.”

In his final work, a 46.80-second half-mile drill, a horse broke off six lengths in front of him, and Stryker Phd had his head in front at the wire, Ross said.

“He got sick here this spring, and it seemed to affect him for some time, but he’s doing well now,” said Ross.

Berkeley Handicap (race 6)

Key Contenders

Stryker Phd, by Bertrando

Last 3 Beyers: 94-90-83

◗ Conditioning is the only question for the late-running veteran, who is coming off a stakes win. He has eight works since Sept. 25, including four bullets.

G. G. Ryder, by Chhaya Dance

Last 3 Beyers: 78-85-82

◗ He’s run in the last seven graded stakes for older runners at Golden Gate. He is looking for his first Berkeley victory after having finished second and third.

◗ Got a three-month freshener this year and is making his third start since his return.

Bronze Star, by Tapit

Last 3 Beyers: 81-92-84

◗ He should be the speed of race, although stablemate Southern Freedom could provide some pace pressure.

◗ He’s looking for his first win over the track.