Juveniles in action on opening day
Northern California racing fans got a real treat on Halloween when trainer Jerry Hollendorfer debuted the 2-year-old Allaboutaction, who won by nine lengths. The impressive win ignited a buzz that this was an El Camino Real Derby horse to watch.
When the Golden Gate Fields 96-day winter-spring meeting opens Saturday, fans will be treated to another appearance by Allaboutaction, a Candy Ride gelding who sold for $200,000 as a yearling. The meet runs through June 12, with racing mostly on Thursdays through Sundays. First post most days is 12:45 p.m. Pacific.
Some of the bloom may have faded off Allaboutaction after a fourth-place finish in the one-mile Gold Rush Stakes on Dec. 5. But that was Allaboutaction’s first start at two turns, and he was a little too active in the paddock and rank in the early going. His Beyer Speed Figure of 74 in his debut – accomplished without urging – shows that he has the talent to be an El Camino Real horse once he learns to relax.
Allaboutaction runs in Saturday’s sixth race, a one-mile optional claimer for 2-year-olds. If Allaboutaction can rebound on opening day, he could give the track a boost going into its major 3-year-old stakes, the $100,000 California Derby on Jan. 16 and the Grade 3, $200,000 El Camino Real Derby on Feb. 13.
“We’re excited because horses can wheel right back into the California Derby in 21 days and the El Camino a month later,” racing secretary Patrick Mackey said.
Also entered in the race Saturday are Algenon and Marqula, who finished second and third to Mana Strike in the Gold Rush.
Among the other early-season stakes highlights is the California Oaks on Feb. 6, which is expected to attract the undefeated multiple stakes winner Code Warrior.
Opening day also could offer a preview of the meet’s turf stakes. Docs Legacy, a winner of four straight races, runs in race 4, an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Should Docs Legacy continue to hold his form, he could become a candidate for the Grade 3, $100,000 San Francisco Mile on April 30.
With California in the midst of a drought and what could be a rainy El Niño winter approaching, keeping the Tapeta main track in good shape could be a challenge. Mackey said he is confident the track will hold up.
“We’ve spent a great deal of time and money on the track,” he said. “We have cleaned up some drainage problems and fully expect the surface to hold up. It actually tightens up with moisture.”
Trainer John Martin will be going for his third straight Golden Gate training title after edging Hollendorfer 19-18 during the fall meet and winning the summer-meet title.
Russell Baze, who has won 13 straight meet titles and 53 overall, heads the jockey colony.