Golden Gate starts meeting with a purse increase

Golden Gate Fields opens its 24-day summer meet on Thursday with a purse increase and a revitalized turf course.

Racing secretary Patrick Mackey is hoping Golden Gate Fields can keep the momentum going from a strong winter-spring meeting.

“Our spring meet was very successful thanks to out-of-state wagering,” Mackey said. “Because of that, we’re able to announce our first increase in some time.”

Golden Gate will raise purses by $2,000 a race on all claiming events up to the $16,000 level, as well as all starter races.

Mackey hopes bumping up the lower-level purse structure will help keep more owners in the game and horses on the grounds.

Golden Gate is starting its meet a week later than in past years, but is running two weeks deeper into September. The meet runs through Sept. 30, with racing on most Thursdays-Sundays. Golden Gate will race on Labor Day Monday, Sept. 3, but not the following Thursday, Sept, 6. First post time during the meet is 1:45 p.m. Pacific.

After a 2 1/12-week break, Golden Gate begins its fall meet on Oct. 18.

With the only turf racing opportunities in Northern California during the summer at the Santa Rosa meet, Mackey is expecting many grass horses to be ready to run early in the Golden Gate meeting.

“I’ve already had a number of trainers asking for extras to be written the first week because they are ready to go,” Mackey said.

Two of the eight races on opening day are scheduled for turf. There were 58 horses entered for the eight races on Thursday.

Golden Gate also has constructed a new winner’s circle and upgraded the horsemen’s lounge.

There will be a $50,000-guaranteed pick five on the last five races every Sunday. Sundays also will offer $1 general admission, parking, programs, hot dogs, and beers.