Lopez family reunion pits father versus sons

Friday’s sixth race at Golden Gate Fields will serve as a family reunion when father Charles, better known as C.C., comes to the Albany, Calif., track to visit sons David, an apprentice currently ranked fourth in the Golden Gate Fields jockey standings with 64 wins, and Erick, who recently arrived at track after competing at Turf Paradise.

The three will ride against each other in a one-mile $3,200 claiming race.

C.C. Lopez, coming off a win aboard Majestic City in the Grade 3 Lone Star Park Handicap on Monday at Lone Star Park, will ride Time To Glow, a 10-1 shot. David Lopez, who rode five winners last Sunday, will ride 5-2 second choice The Alameda Kid. Erick Lopez is named on 5-1 third choice High Greely.

Friday’s race marks the first time the three have ridden against each other. David rode one against his father last year at Indiana Downs. He and his brother have competed against each other several times.

“We’ve been trying to do this for a long time,” David said. “My father planned to visit us after that race in Texas, and my agent [Dennis Patterson] was able to get him a mount here.”

He added that the race would be strictly for family bragging rights with no side bets.