Golden Gate to Raise Starter Allowance, Claiming Purses

Golden Gate Fields track officials announced Nov. 19 that, beginning Dec. 26, all starter allowance, maiden claiming, and claiming races at the Northern California track will receive purse increases of $3,000. For most of these races, the increase ranges from 20% to, at the highest, 30%.

"We're really pleased to be able to deliver this purse increase to the horsemen at the most appropriate time," said Golden Gate Fields' vice president and general manager David Duggan. "We appreciate our owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, and all of the people who work for them who continue to support our racing product."

Lower level claiming conditions will see the highest increase, ranging from a 25% to 30% increase per level. Most mid-level claiming purses, both winners and maidens running for a tag, are improving at a 15% to 25% rate. Higher claiming conditions are also set for the same $3,000 purse increase as the lower level races. $40,000 claimers—the highest claiming condition currently offered in Northern California—will elevate from the current $25,000 purse to $28,000. "Non-winners of two" starter allowance races will bump up an additional $3,000, too (from $19,000 to $22,000), as will all other starter allowance conditions.

Dec. 26 is opening day of the winter/spring meet of 2021-22 at Golden Gate Fields. The meet runs through mid-June.