Golden Gate opens split summer meet

Golden Gate Fields will be dealing with several scheduling quirks when it begins its summer meeting Friday.

Golden Gate lost one week of racing and is starting a week later than last year because of an additional week of racing dates given to the California State Fair in Sacramento.

In addition, Golden Gate’s 19-day meet will be split into two segments, an 11-day segment from Friday through Sept. 7 (Labor Day) and then an eight-day meet Sept. 24 through Oct. 4. In between the two segments, the San Joaquin Fair in Stockton, Calif., will run for two weeks. The Big Fresno Fair will close out the Northern California fair season by running Oct. 8-18.

Golden Gate’s first two weeks will run concurrent with the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale. The overlap does not create a major conflict with the horse population because Ferndale primarily runs cheaper claimers.

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Golden Gate general manager Calvin Rainey said the later start could lead to more turf racing earlier in the meeting and, as a result, bigger fields.

“We’ve renovated the course, and it is in good shape,” said Rainey.

The two-week break should keep the course fresh for the second segment and for the Golden Gate fall meet, which begins Oct. 22.

“We can probably run some sprints on the turf,” said Rainey. “Sprints can be tougher on a course than routes, but the course held up this spring and worked well.”

Golden Gate enjoyed increases in handle during its winter-spring meet from account-wagering and out-of-state wagering sources, and Rainey is hopeful that the trend will continue.

The summer meet will include one stakes race, the $50,000-added Rolling Green for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on turf Sept. 7.

As usual, Sundays will be Dollar Day, with $1 parking, admission, programs, beers, sodas, and hot dogs. In addition, patrons donating a canned food item or giving a cash donation on Sunday, Aug. 30, will receive free clubhouse or general admission, with donations going to the Alameda County Community Food Bank.