Turf racing set to resume at Golden Gate

A few weeks earlier than expected, turf racing resumes at Golden Gate Fields on Friday with a one-mile allowance race for fillies and mares.

An unexpected dry winter accelerated the return of the course, racing secretary Patrick Mackey said last weekend.

“It’s about a week and a half or two weeks early,” Mackey said.

“It was growing so well and is in great condition. We walked it two weeks ago and decided we would go slowly.”

Mackey said there are tentative plans for two turf races on the Saturday and Sunday programs this weekend. The track runs three days a week. Mackey said turf options will expand to two races on Fridays and three on weekends later this spring.

“That’s as many as we want to do,” he said.

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There is a possibility for rain on Saturday, which could affect use of the course. Overall, the winter has been abnormally dry in Northern California since a significant rain and snow storm in late December.

“It’s been very unusual,” Mackey said. “We’ll keep a close eye on the weather.”

Turf racing was halted in mid- December, which is customary for Golden Gate at that time of year. Last year, turf racing resumed in early April. There were 99 turf races from early April to the end of the meeting last June.

Of the 11 stakes remaining at the current meeting through June 12, seven are on turf, notably the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile, which will be run April 30 with a purse of $250,000.