Did not have enough time to get this done last night, but still wanted to get a preview up as this race came up strong. The 75k Alcatraz Stakes goes as Race 7 with a post time of 3:18pm. It is to be run at 1M over a firm turf course.
#1 Zimba Warrior (Desormeaux/ Desormeaux): Coming off a late closing 2nd behind Ragtime Blues at Santa Anita sprinting. 2 back was 2nd over the tapeta to Jive Talking who’s a nice colt. Was well-beaten in his 2 starts going 2-turns, but those tries were against Authentic and Thousand Words. Pedigree doesn’t suggest turf. Coming into this one off a career-best. Should be stalking the pace.
#2 Mylittlerunaway (Jauregui/ Espinoza): The filly is looking to upset the boys in this year’s Alcatraz. She is coming off 2 strong wins, and her last one was a gate-to-wire score in a 50k Starter Allowance on turf. Gets to carry 5 pounds less in here. Speed figures will need to improve against these types, but she does have confidence right now. Has a lot of early speed and have to figure she will either be on or near the lead.
#3 Ajourneytofreedom (Wright/ Gonzalez): 2 starts back he won an Allowance routing on the main track. You might think he is off-form judging by his last race where he finished a well-beaten 7th in a 2nd level Allowance. However, I am going to forgive that effort. It looked like a clear prep for today’s race as the 6f distance was way too short and he had a very spotty worktab coming into it. Hard Spun doesn’t scream turf at all, but his dam is a 1/2 to G1 French Oaks winner Nebraska Tornado. Ricky Gonzalez has been riding really well this meet. Should sit a stalking/rating trip. Needs to run a career-best.
#4 Bettor Trip Nick (Delia/ Martinez): Last year’s Golden Nugget and Gold Rush Stakes winner is making his racing return to Golden Gate Fields. His 2 starts this year were against good CA-bred company down South. Proved he could see out the 1M trip in the Gold Rush. Should love turf being by Boat Trip and out of an In Excess mare. Will have to deal with other speed types in here.
#5 Kanderel (Mandella/ Hernandez): Top jockey Juan Hernandez jumps aboard the ML favorite here for trainer Richard Mandella. Showed a ton of potential in the debut score, but hasn’t seen the winner’s circle since. Been running against stakes horses like Encoder and KP All Systems Go. Should take back early, but looks like there will be pace for him to run at. Had an awkward trip against KP All Systems Go on March 20th.
#6 Darnquick (Rogers/ Herrera): Won 3 out of his 4 starts as a 2yo. Finished 8th in his 1st start as a 3yo, but got caught setting very hot fractions in a pace duel. Comes into this one off 2 stiff 7f drills and should be fit. Will be his first try routing. Don’t see much route or turf in the pedigree. Has the quickest pace figures, but is going to have to contend with other speed horses early.
#7 Indian Peak (Howey/ Lopez): Has come around nicely since his debut as a 2yo. Had a trouble 3rd in the El Camino Real Derby, came out of that to win an Allowance on the tapeta, and then in his last start he ran 2nd in an Allowance going a mile on the turf at Santa Anita. Has strong late pace figures and this race seems like it is going to be fast early. Howey, who usually boasts one of the stronger winning %s at GGF is just 1 for 18 at the current Spring Meet.
#8 Governance (Wong/ Antongeorgi): Moved to the Wong barn for the first time for his last start and was able to win over this turf course. While he did beat a good horse in Indian Peak, he could not have gotten a better trip that day– he was loose on the front end while setting slow fractions and was able to hold on by a diminishing neck. Could get caught wide early as the 1st turn comes up quick going 1M. Should sit an off the pace trip in here. Looking to make it 2-2 in Northern California.
Selections: 3-5-1-7
#3 Ajourneytofreedom (8/1): Should sit a great ground-saving trip just behind the leaders. Last race looked like a prep. Should take to the grass.
#5 Kanderel (5/2): Have to respect connections. Been keeping good form. Will be running on late.
#1 Zimba Warrior (8/1): Seems to be on the improve. That 3rd place effort behind Authentic at 1m in the G3 Sham was solid. Turf?
#7 Indian Peak (7/2): Proven he can run on turf. Consistent type and always comes running. Could get a wide trip however.
NorCal Horse Racing News 