SoCal stars invade for Golden Gate Fields' Berkeley Handicap
A field of 11 colts and geldings were entered to compete in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Berkeley Handicap, with the 1 1/16-mile main track feature the marquee race of the Golden Gate Fields fall meet.
A number of Southern California stars are in the Berkeley lineup this year. Grade 1 winner Ohio makes his first start on the Golden Gate Tapeta for trainer Michael McCarthy after a 3 1/2-length loss in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita on October 5. Ohio’s last winners circle appearance came in March when he won the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile. Jockey Julien Couton picks up the mount.
Multiple Grade 2 winner Ashleyluvssugar is also set to make his Tapeta debut in the Berkeley. The Peter Eurton-trained gelding was last seen finishing behind Grecian Fire in the California Dreamin Stakes at Del Mar in August. Grecian Fire, also entered in the Berkeley, has proven Tapeta form, having won the Grade 3 All American at Golden Gate in May. He is currently under the care of Keith Desormeaux.
Souter ships north for Mark Glatt after a runner-up finish in a Keeneland allowance race, while Grade 3 winner Majestic Eagle was a supplemental entrant for Hall of Famer Neil Drysdale. Majestic Eagle is also entered in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar on Saturday, however, and is possible to scratch from the Berkeley.
One of the key class contenders is Grade 1 winner What A View, who makes his first start for Northern California conditioner Sherrie Monroe in this spot. He was previously trained by Phil D’Amato, who conditioned the California-bred when he won the Grade 3 All American Stakes last year at Santa Anita. The 8-year-old son of Vronsky worked three furlongs over the Tapeta on Tuesday morning for the Monroe barn and is deemed “ready” by his connections.
Of course, local contenders are always game to take on potential heavy hitters from Southern California. The top Northern California based horse in this year’s Berkeley may be Mugaritz, who scored a front-running victory in the Joseph T. Grace Stakes last month and will try to win his sixth race in a row. The Jonathan Wong trainee possesses tactical speed and a strong 4-for-6 record on Tapeta.
The Berkeley goes as Race 8 of 9 on Saturday. Post time is 6:45 p.m. ET.