Golden Gate Fields racing secretary Patrick Mackey couldn’t be more excited about the start of a meeting than he is for the upcoming fall meet that begins Friday. “Things are setting up nicely for it,” he said. “I think we’re in a really good position. “There was the way we finished out the summer and a good meet at Fresno. We used the turf course relatively lightly during the summer meet. [Turf course superintendent] Hugo Sandoval did a good job moving the rail to keep the course fresh, and then we got a little bit of a break, which is always good. I think we’ll be able to use it often, which gives Southern California horsemen more opportunities to run on turf too. “Fall is usually when we have the most horses with 2-year-olds ready to run, and the fall meet encompasses the most stakes over the span of the [year].” :: Get DRF Betting Strategies for exclusive analysis and wager recommendations from our expert handicappers. Ten stakes, highlighted by the $100,000 Grade 3 Berkeley, a 1 1/16-mile race scheduled on Nov. 27, will be contested. In addition to Berkeley, open to 3-year-olds and up, four stakes will be offered for 2-year-olds. The first is the $75,000 Pike Place Dancer for fillies at one mile on the turf on Oct. 30. Fillies will also compete in the $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante at six furlongs on Nov. 26. The six-furlong, $50,000 Golden Nugget will be contested on Nov. 13 with the $75,000 Gold Rush at one mile on Dec. 4. Three six-furlong sprint stakes will be offered, beginning with the $75,000 El Dorado Shooter on Oct. 31, the $50,000 Oakland on Nov. 20, and the $75,000 Bear Fan for Cal-bred fillies and mares on Dec. 11. The $50,000 Joseph T. Grace at 1 1/16 miles on the turf will be run on Nov. 6, and the $50,000 Miss America for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the turf will help close the meet on Dec. 12. Mackey also believes that having the Breeders’ Cup in California at Del Mar could also help build energy for racing fans. General admission is $5 weekdays and $6 weekends with Top of Hill or Top of Stretch parking costing $5 on weekdays and $10 weekends. Clubhouse tickets are $15. Turf Club tickets are $20, including free parking and program, but must be purchased in advance. Seniors (62+) can get free general admission on Fridays with a valid XBReward Thoroughbred Card. Special Breeders’ Cup VIP Watch Party Turf Club reserved tickets for Saturday, Nov. 6, are available for $99, $109, or $119, including continental breakfast, lunch buffet, self-parking, program, reserved Turf Club seating, and private TV monitors to watch the Breeders’ Cup.