6/12/21 Golden Gate Fields Late Pick Four - Preview

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.  Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” - Helen Keller

The Albany, a five furlong turf sprint, is the featured race on Saturday's card in Northern California.  I'll be taking a look at that contest below, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Bay's Best Bet.

RACE 7 - Clm $12.5k - Eight and a Half Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 Lord Wimborne (Ire) (Morning Line 5-2)

B’s

# 5 Harvest a Storm (ML 6-1)

# 7 Many Roses (ML 3-1)

C's

# 3 Lolo Paniolo (ML 6-1)

# 6 Ecologist (ML 20-1)

# 8 Combat Zone (ML 10-1)
# 9 Agent Zero (ML 10-1)

Scratch # 2 Mo Bob (Ire) (ML 5-1) and # 4 Hydrogen (ML 15-1)

Lord Wimborne (Ire) and Many Roses are both trained by Jonathan Wong.  Look for Many Roses to be prominent early, while Lord Wimborne (Ire) projects to be the one running best late.

Harvest a Storm ran out of gas early last time out on the main track while disappointing as the Post Time Favorite; perhaps Harvest a Storm just needed that race off the layoff.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 8 - Clm $20k N2X - Eight Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 6 Alvaaro (ML 8-5)

B’s

# 3 Gee Gee Whiz (ML 30-1)

# 4 Governance (ML 3-1)

C's

# 1 Dub Town (ML 8-1)

# 2 Megameister (ML 8-1)

# 5 Sayin Grace (ML 8-1)

# 7 Boyson (ML 4-1)

# 8 Stone Groove (ML 12-1)

Alvaaro won the speed duel at this class level last time out but missed victory by just a head.  A strong case could probably be made for using Alvaaro as a big ticket single for this leg; but Alvaaro has a tendency to disappoint as the Post Time Favorite.  In addition, there is other speed in here that could get the better of Alvaaro in the early going; and Alvaaro isn't know for his ability to pass other runners.

Gee Gee Whiz, taking on winners for the first time, could be the one picking up the pieces if the early pace burns out the contenders.  Governance's visit to Los Alamitos did not go well last time out, to put it in the kindest terms.  Expect Governance, who took the Place at this class level the last time he competed over this main track, to be a part of the mix Saturday.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 9 - The Albany $50k - Five Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 3 Brandothebartender (ML 9-5)

B's

# 2 Give Me the Lute (ML 5-2)

C's

# 1 Bettor Trip Nick (ML 3-1)

# 4 Slam Dunk Sermon (ML 8-1)

# 5 Exhalting (ML 12-1)

# 6 Tap Back (ML 15-1)

# 7 Tom's Surprise (ML 8-1)
# 8 Hong Kong Cowboy (ML 50-1)

For those who note such things, Exhalting, trained by Doug O'Neill, is the only entrant in this field that is not a California bred.

Brandothebartender has shown the ability to win at virtually any distance, and appears to be the most talented runner in this field.  Give Me the Lute, making his 2021 debut, has an affinity for this turf course, having won three of his five previous tries on the Golden Gate grass.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 10 - (F) ALW N1X - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A's

# 5 Warm Summer (ML 3-1)

B's

# 1 Fairy Tale Bliss (ML 4-1)

# 2 Munn She's Pretty (ML 20-1)

# 7 Going to Shabooms (ML 7-2)

# 8 Chieftain's Lady (ML 8-1)

# 10 This Is the One (ML 6-1)

C's

# 3 Smiling Spirit (ML 20-1)
# 4 Toni Two Pocket (ML 12-1)

# 9 Dr Wysong (ML 6-1)

Scratch # 6 Square Dreamer (ML 20-1)

Warm Summer, victorious at this class level two starts ago and Show finisher last time out, appears to be in top form.  Fairy Tale Bliss got under the wire ahead of Warm Summer last time out to grab the Place; but, talented though she is, Fairy Tale Bliss seems to settle for too many minor awards.

Munn She's Pretty is trained by Jonathan Wong; and I just couldn't bring myself to leave a Jonathan Wong trained runner at 20-1 off the main ticket.  Going to Shabooms could improve with the return to one turn racing.

Chieftain's Lady had nothing in the tank last time out, justifying the move to the bench.  Chieftain's Lady fits well at this class level, and Chieftain's Lady has shown the ability to win off just works.

This Is the One finished in the Trifecta at this class level two and three starts back.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 1 with 6 with 3 with 5 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,5,7 with 3,4,6 with 2,3 with 1,2,5,7,8,10 $54.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 3,6,8,9 with 6 with 3 with 5 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 1 with 1,2,5,7,8 with 3 with 5 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 1 with 6 with 1,4,5,6,7,8 with 5 $3.00

$0.50 P4: 1 with 6 with 3 with 3,4,9 $1.50

Total: $64.00

Post Time for Race 7 is 7:04 EDT / 4:04 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo