Press Release:
Golden Gate Fields’ Summer Meet, which concluded this past Sunday, posted significant gains in both on-track and all sources pari-mutuel handle, underscored by a 29 percent ($461,289 more a day) increase in average daily handle over the course of a 24-day meet that began Aug. 23.
Although the 2017 Summer Meet consisted of 16 racing days, Golden Gate Fields all sources handle for the first 16 days this year was $33,049,592, a whopping 30 percent hike over last year’s $25,323,799.
“We are very happy with the gains made at this year’s Summer Meet,” said David Duggan, General Manager and Vice President of Golden Gate Fields. “There are a lot of people to thank for that. Our dedicated horsemen, jockeys, backstretch workers, our hard-working front-side staff, and of course, the horseplayers and fans who support our product.”
Along with gains in overall and average daily pari-mutuel handle, Golden Gate also posted a four percent increase in average daily on-track handle.
“We will continue to put our best foot forward in making Golden Gate Fields a popular destination for horseplayers and fans alike,” added Duggan. “We are committed to always improving the customer experience and strengthening the product they support.”
All sources handle over the course of the 24-day meet reached $49,056,628.
“While we acknowledge this meet represents a small sample of our year-round efforts, we are extremely proud of the direction Golden Gate Fields is heading,” said Tim Ritvo, COO of The Stronach Group (TSG). “Golden Gate is a great facility and there’s no question that looking to the future, it’s going to be of even greater benefit to racing in Northern California and to the men and women that work in our industry. We want to thank our fans, horsemen, and congratulate David Duggan on a job well done.”
As for the racing side of the ledger, jockeys Juan Hernandez and Irving Orozco dead heated for the Summer Meet riding title, with both winning 29 races.
Jonathon Wong took his second straight Golden Gate Fields training crown, with 21 wins, nine more than runner-up Victor Trujillo.
Peter Redekop was the Summer Meet’s leading owner with seven wins from 16 starters. His biggest win came in the marquee event of the meet, the $50,000 Rolling Green Stakes on Sept. 3, as his millionaire gelding Alert Bay marched to a 1 ½ length victory under Hernandez for trainer Blaine Wright.
Live racing will return to Golden Gate Fields with the 32-day Fall Meet, which opens on Thursday, Oct. 18 and will run through Sunday, Dec. 9. The Grade III, $100,000 Berkeley Handicap, to be run on Thanksgiving weekend, headlines a roster of eight Fall Meet stakes.
For additional information, please For additional information, please visit www.goldengatefields.com.