A couple of turf races highlight Golden Gate Fields’ Saturday card. We analyze and make free horse racing picks for races 7 through 9. The two great turf races bookend a sweet 5 ½ claiming event over the all-weather. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Golden Gates Fields for Saturday, May 23. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Golden Gate Fields Horse Racing Picks
- When: Saturday, May 23 at 3:45 pm ET
- Where: Berkeley, CA
- Weather: Mostly Sunny
- Temperature: High 77 – Low 57
Golden Gate Fields Picks for Saturday, May 23
Race 7 – 6:45 pm ET – 1 1/16 Miles Turf – $31,000 Allowance
On paper, this looks wide-open, which is why we’ll put 6/1 on the morning line Sloane Garden on top. The Manuel Badilla trained runner gets back on turf after running 3 straight over the all-weather. The Iffraaj sired filly is bred to love the lawn. She goes into this off 3 fantastic 5 furlong works.
Mike McCarthy puts the saddle on 7/2 choice Noble Contessa. This one last ran on the turf in 2018. She’s bred to enjoy the grass, though. Also, McCarthy has won 28% this year.
Badilla trained Golden Iris is the chalk. Manuel wins 36% at the meet. Not only that but if Noble Contessa doesn’t go with Iris, there’s a good chance jockey Juan Hernandez steals this aboard the fave. We must use. It’s hard to put Golden Iris on top, though, because the odds will be below the 2/1 morning line.
- Win: Sloane Garden
- Place: Noble Contessa
- Show: Golden Iris
Race 8 – 7:15 pm ET – 5 ½ Furlongs All-Weather–$10,500 Claiming
There’s a ton of early foot in this. That’s why we’re taking a shot on 6/1 morning line Punaluu. 44% winning trainer Isidro Tamayo puts the saddle on the I Want Revenge sired gelding. Punaluu has a nice 1-5-1 record from 9 races at Golden Gate. If Isidro has this one ready to fire off the bench, it can grab its second GG Fields win.
Reverend AI figures to either be part of the pace or sit half a length off. The Debbie Winick trained 6-year-old gelding has the best speed ratings of any horse in this field. If Punaluu doesn’t fire, the chalk should take this.
Diction is super-fast. The front runner has a win and 2 seconds from 4 races over GG’s all-weather surface. If the rest of the speed holds back, Diction can wire. Consider for all slots in the exotics.
- Win: Punaluu
- Place: Reverend AI
- Show: Diction
Race 9 – 7:45 pm ET – 1 Mile Turf – $19,000 Starter Allowance
On paper it doesn’t look as if Jeffrey Metz trained Totally Normal has a chance. The 20/1 morning line shot is the best bred horse for the grass, though. Also, the Congrats filly has a win, a second, and a third from 4 races over the lawn. Totally Normal can upset this field at massive odds.
Mylittlerunaway projects as the speed of the speed. Jockey Juan Espinoza could ration the 3/1 choice’s speed to a front-running score. Mylittlerunaway is a must use in the exacta box no matter who you like on top.
Trainer Steven Specht stretches out Way to Fire, a Coil sired 3-year-old filly. Specht wins just 4% with his first time grass runners. He wins 14% with horses going first time at a route. This field is so wide-open, Way to Fire could surprise. Consider on top and bottom of the exotics.
- Win: Totally Normal
- Place: Mylittlerunaway
- Show: Way to Fire.
