Golden Gate Fields Ready to Resume Racing

Golden Gate Fields will kick off its resumption of live racing May 14 with a nine-race card after receiving the go-ahead to conduct spectatorless racing from the Alameda County Public Health Department last week.

The Northern California track halted racing April 2 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Golden Gate's vice president and general manager, David Duggan, said horsemen operating on the backside, where 1,200-1,300 horses are housed, are pleased to be able to run their horses at the track for the first time in over six weeks.

"I think they're delighted to be back. They responded accordingly with the entries and indeed for Friday. We're drawing Saturday's card today, and it looks a cracking card as well," Duggan said May 13. "We've had a wonderful response from our own trainers locally. They've really, really stepped up, and they see the need to get the business running again. We're delighted, we're really pleased for them, and we're delighted obviously for ourselves."

Eighty horses have been entered for Thursday's card, which will run five races on the outer Tapeta track and four on the turf course and has field sizes ranging from seven to 11 horses. First post is 12:45 p.m. PT. Though Golden Gate will not have its gates open to the public, the track will offer a Pick Six for races 4-9. 

Duggan said a wide-ranging set of protocols will be in place for those required at the track for racing to take place.

"There's going to be no spectators, and I think that's going to be a common theme with all racetracks in the forseeable future. Our jockeys will all wear masks while riding, and they'll all have their temperature taken when they arrive at the track," Duggan said. "They won't be going into the saddling paddock, they will be going into the area adjacent to the saddling paddock at pre-designated spaces corresponding with their number on the racetrack, so No. 1 will go to No. 1, No. 2 will go to No. 2. This is to maximize the effect of social distancing, and they will all be six feet apart.

"Trainers will, when necessary, approach them to give them any riding instructions, and then summarily, almost in a robotic manner, they will get on their mounts and enter the track and join up with the ponies, once again keeping as much of a distance as possible, and make their way out to the post parade. Then they have to wait at the starting gate where the handlers will all be maintaining social distancing and have masks on also and will be wearing gloves, as will the riders, to get the race going."

Duggan added that after each race, riders will return to pre-designated spots to unsaddle before returning to the jockeys' quarters, all while maintaining social distancing. The horses will immediately return to their barn.

The Golden Gate meet that began Dec. 26 is scheduled to run through June 14. Racing will be conducted on a Thursday-through-Sunday schedule, with a special Memorial Day card Monday, May 25. The track will be dark May 28.

The first condition book lists races through May 31 and includes three stakes: the $100,000 All American Stakes for 3-year-olds and up going a mile on the Tapeta May 25, the $75,000 Camilla Urso Stakes for fillies and mares 3 years old and up sprinting five furlongs on the turf May 30, and the $75,000 California Oaks for 3-year-old fillies racing 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta May 31.

Golden Gate's signature race, the $250,000 San Francisco Mile Stakes (G3T), will be held on closing day.