Monday’s Memorial Day card at Golden Gate Fields has 9 races with the 100k All American as the feature. The All American has a field of 6 and will be run at 1 Mile over the Tapeta. It seems to be a competitive race on paper, and I am going to go over each of the runners below.
#1 Indian Peak (Howey/ Espinoza)- Seems to be back at the top of his game after a nice Allowance win last time out on April 25th– he stalked a moderate pace that day and was able to finish very strongly to win going away. The son of Comic Strip is 4 for 7 lifetime over the tapeta and is 2 for 4 at the distance. Coming into this one off two sharp workouts (5/23 4f- 47.40, 5/16 5f- 1:00.80). Should be sitting on a top effort.
#2 Anyportinastorm (Miller/ Roman)- Was super impressive last time out when he won the Lost in the Fog Stakes during Gold Rush Weekend. He seems to have an affinity for the tapeta surface as he is 5 for 7 lifetime over it. Has been a very classy sprinter throughout his career but has shown he can contend going a route of ground. The last time he routed was when he ran 2nd by a head in the 2019 G3 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs. His trainer Peter Miller has won 3 stakes races this meet already and is a strong 5 for 11 (45%) in 2021 at Golden Gate Fields. Have to think that Anyportinastorm is going to show a lot of speed early on the stretch-out.
#3 Zestful (Glatt- Maldonado)- Coming into this one off of a 2nd place effort by 9 lengths to Tizamagician in the G3 Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita. When you look at his pps you think of him more as a longer distance/ marathon type, but he is 11: 4-4-1 going 1 mile. 2 races back he finished 2nd by a head to King Abner in a 50k Starter Allowance (April 23). His trainer Mark Glatt is 20% with shippers and this will be Zestful’s 3rd start off the layoff. Has early speed but don’t think he has the pace figures to out-foot Anyportinastorm early– see him sitting 2nd in here. Worked a sharp 4f in 47.40 at Santa Anita on 5/23.
#4 Cupid’s Claw (Dollase- Frey)- Former Northern California runner had a breakthrough last year when he won the G3 Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita in September by 7 1/4 lengths. After his big win he went to Keeneland for the 1 5/8m G2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes where he finished a distant 12th place. He is making his first start of the year in the All American. Is 1-4 lifetime over the tapeta at Golden Gate Fields. Feels to me like 1 mile is on the sharp side for him and that his best races come at 9f+. Also, his trainer Craig Dollase is 0-27 with horses coming off of a 90+ day layoff. Returned to the worktab for the first time this year on May 1st. Has talent but this could be a stepping stone for further races down the line. Gets leading rider Kyle Frey always helps.
#5 Navy Armed Guard (Howey/ Alvarado)- The 2nd of the pair of runners for the Howey barn. His only lifetime start over the tapeta was at a mile in September, and he just so happened to set the track record when winning an Allowance race that day. Was last seen winning an open Allowance at Turf Paradise going 7 1/2f on the grass. See him stalking the pace in here and trying to make a run late. Seems to have been pointing to this spot for awhile now.
#6 Harmon (Meier/ Ayuso)- Pulled off the 9/1 upset last time out in his first start for new trainer Monty Meier. He won nicely by 2-lengths over today’s course/distance and was able to defeat both Indian Peak and stakes-winner American Farmer in that spot. Hasn’t proven he can compete at this stakes level yet, but does seem like one that is trending in the right direction. Meier has had a solid meet as he is 6-27 (22%). Could see him sitting in 3rd or 4th early on in here.
Selections: 2-1-5-3
#2 Anyportinastorm (8/5)- Loves this track and is coming off a great performance. Stretches out to 2 turns here and think he controls things up front.
#1 Indian Peak (8/1)- Appears to be rounding back into form and like how he finishes off his races. Will be doing his best running late.
#5 Navy Armed Guard (5/1)- Last effort was solid on the turf. Switches back to the trip/surface he set the track record on.
#3 Zestful (3/1)- Cutting back from 1 1/2m to 1m in here. Should sit a good trip behind Anyportinastorm.
NorCal Horse Racing News 