The Golden Gate Handicap is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses age three and older over a distance of one and one sixteenth miles with handicap conditions on the Tapeta, a synthetic racing surface held annually in November at Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley, California. The event offers a purse of US$100,000.

History

The race was inaugurated on 13 October 1948 as the Berkeley Stakes for two-year-olds that were bred in California over the dirt track. The event was won by Moonrush who was ridden by American Hall of Fame jockey Ralph Neves. Moonrush would win the event again the following year when ii was held in March for three-year-olds as the Berkeley Handicap. Moonrush would later in his career capture the Santa Anita Handicap, one of the most prestigious events in California.

The event in its early days would did not have set scheduled date but would regularly rotate March, May and November with a distance of either 6 furlongs or one mile. The event was for three year olds except in 1957 when the event was run for two-year-olds in split divisions and in 1961 when the event was held as an Invitational race which included older horses. In 1958 and 1964 when the race was restricted to three-year-old-fillies. In 1962 the event was not held.

In 1965 the event was scheduled as an open event for three-year-olds and older over a distance miles. From 1966 to 1970 the event was held in April and run over a much longer distance of miles. With the creation of a new turf track at Golden Gate Fields in 1972 the event was scheduled on the grass. The event was held on the turf for 6 years. During this the Argentine-bred import Yvetot won the event twice in 1973 and 1974.

In 1978 the event was moved back to the dirt track and scheduled in February over a mile in distance.

In 1996 the event was held in December as a two-year-old event.

In 2000 the American Graded Stakes Committee classified the event as Grade III. In 2007 the event's conditions were changed to stakes allowance and the this reflected in the name. During the summer of 2007, Golden Gate Fields installed a polymer synthetic type racing surface and since 2008 the event has been run on this surface. In 2012 the event reverted back to handicap conditions.

The Brazilian-bred Editore became the third horse to win the event twice in 2018.

In 2020 the event was not held for the fourth time due to an outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

In 2023 the event was renamed as the Golden Gate Handicap.

Records

Speed record: miles (synthetic) - 1:42.40 Mugaritz (2019) 1 mile (dirt) - 1:33.80 Snorter (2004) miles (dirt) - 1:40.94 Desert Boom (2005)

Margin: 7 lengths - Sun Master (1986) 7 lengths - Wild Wonder (1998)

Most wins: 2 - Moonrush (1948, 1949) 2 - Yvetot (ARG) (1973, 1974) 2 - Editore (BRZ) (2017, 2018)

Most wins by a jockey: 6 – Russell Baze (1987, 1995, 1998, 2004, 2013, 2015)

Most wins by a trainer: 4 – Jerry Hollendorfer (1995, 1996, 2000, 2013)

Most wins by an owner : 2 – Anita King & Gus Luellwitz (1948, 1949) 2 – W. K. Gumpert & Edwin Selesnick (1973, 1974) 2 – Halo Farms (1995, 2000) 2 – Jerry Hollendorfer (1996, 2013) 2 – Bonne Chance Farm & Stud R D I (2017, 2018)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefGolden Gate Handicap2023 War At Sea 4 Frank Alvarado Ronald Ellis Doubledown Stables miles1:44.48 $100,900 IIIBerkeley Handicap2022Lammas (GB) 5Kevin RadkeManuel BadillaRonald L. Charles & Samuel Gordon miles1:42.42$100,000III2021Freeport Joe 4Assael EspinozaGloria HaleyLarry Odbert miles1:43.70$100,900III2020Race not held2019Mugaritz 4Ricardo GonzalezJonathan Wong Alejandro Mercardo miles1:42.40$101,500III2018Editore (BRZ) 6Brice BlancPaulo H. Lobo Bonne Chance Farm & Stud R D I miles1:42.94$101,125III2017Editore (BRZ) 5Brice BlancPaulo H. Lobo Bonne Chance Farm & Stud R D I miles1:43.37$102,025III2016Stryker Phd 7Leslie MawingLarry D. RossJim & Mona Hour miles1:43.67$100,000III2015Poshsky 5Russell BazePeter L. Miller Silver Ranch Stable & Wachtel Stable miles1:42.70$100,210III2014Pepper Crown 4Juan J. HernandezAlex Paszkeicz Alexander A. Paszkeicz Living Trust miles1:44.74$100,315III2013Summer Hit 4Russell BazeJerry Hollendorfer John Carver & Jerry Hollendorfer miles1:42.65$100,000III2012† Awesome Gem 9Aaron GryderCraig Dollase West Point Thoroughbreds miles1:45.82$100,000IIIBerkeley Stakes2011Uh Oh Bango 4Aaron GryderR. Kory Owens Triple AAA Ranch miles1:45.61$100,000III2010Run It 4Chad Phillip SchvaneveldtDennis M. PattersonMercedes Stable miles1:44.50$100,000III2009Autism Awareness 4David G. LopezGenaro Vallejo Johnny Taboada miles1:43.12$150,000III2008McCann's Mojave 8Frank T. AlvaradoSteven Specht Mike Willman miles1:43.06$150,000III2007My Creed 6Modesto LinaresRobert B. Hess Sr. Seven Star Racing Stable & Robert B. Hess Sr. miles1:43.46$100,000IIIBerkeley Handicap2006Spellbinder 5Roberto M. GonzalezRichard E. MandellaJerry & Ann Moss miles1:43.07$150,000III2005Desert Boom 5Roberto M. GonzalezArt Sherman Robert D. Bone miles1:40.94$100,000III2004Snorter 4Russell BazeRobert J. Frankel Gary & Mary West Stables 1 mile1:33.80$94,375III2003I'madrifter 5Roberto M. GonzalezSteven Specht Daniel O'Neill1 mile1:35.13$100,000III2002Irisheyesareflying 6Jose Valdivia Jr.John K. Dolan Dolan Racing Stable, Lloyd Graham & Alice Taylor 1 mile1:35.41$100,000III2001Blade Prospector (BRZ) 6Omar A. BerrioAntonio C. Avila Raza Stable1 mile1:34.00$100,000III2000§ Voice of Destiny 4Rafael Q. MezaJerry HollendorferHalo Farms1 mile1:35.67$125,000III1999Hal's Pal (GB) 6Brice BlancBen D. A. Cecil Addison Racing 1 mile1:34.96$125,000 Listed 1998Wild Wonder 4Russell BazeGreg Gilchrist VHW Stables1 mile1:35.19$81,450Listed 1997Race not held1996Houston Fleet M D 2Dennis CarrJerry Hollendorfer Mark DeDomenico & Jerry Hollendorfer 1 mile1:36.67$42,600 1995Double Jab 4Russell BazeJerry Hollendorfer Halo Farms1 mile1:35.18$83,475 Listed 1994§ River Special 4Thomas M. ChapmanCharles J. Jenda Golden Eagle Farm1 mile1:34.33$55,100 Listed 1993Infamous Deed 5Ronald J. Warren Jr.Fordell Fierce Ron Crockett1 mile1:35.67$43,960 1992Music Prospector 5Ron D. HansenSteven Miyadi Silky Green 1 mile1:35.29$53,950 1991High Energy 4Ronald J. Warren Jr.Jerry M. Fanning Dennis Beyreuther 1 mile1:35.70$55,300 1990On the Menu 4Christine Lynn DavenportWilliam F. DavisBrent & Terri Carruth1 mile1:34.80$54,100 1989Ongoing Mister 4Timothy T. DoocyJames R. KiesnerRobert Hagopian 1 mile1:34.20$56,100 1988Sanger Chief 5Timothy T. DoocyLloyd C. Mason Lloyd C. Mason, Paul Cane & Robert H. Klinger1 mile1:35.60$54,000 1987Rocky Marriage 7Russell BazeRobert J. FrankelSidney L. Port 1 mile1:36.80$54,750 1986Sun Master 5Marco CastanedaGary F. JonesElmendorf Farm 1 mile1:34.60$43,400 1985Nak Ack 4Joseph C. JudiceCharles C. FosterRobert C. Brinker 1 mile1:36.20$44,800 1984Songhay 5Joseph C. JudiceLeon LaGrone Leon LaGrone 1 mile1:35.40$45,300 1983Pleasant Power 5Jeff R. AndersonJack ArterburnJoseph E. Awender1 mile1:40.60$45,800 1982Foyt's Ack 7Roberto M. GonzalezPaul O. Wayt Red Baron's Barn1 mile1:38.00$40,000+ 1981Head Hawk 5Danny SorensonWilliam A. FindlayLouis Peretti & Joack Polack miles1:45.60$43,750 1980Race not held1979Gustoso 4Rudy CampasHenry M. MorenoLouis Lee Brooks Sr.1 mile1:34.40$34,000 1978Boy Tike 5Antonio L. DiazEric J. LongdenHarry Gelpar & Eric J. Longden 1 mile1:36.20$32,750 1977Lino 5Raul CaballeroIke OrrMelvin D. Stark1 mile1:37.40$27,300 1976Branford Court 6Antonio L. DiazGene Cleveland Cardiff Stock Farm 1 mile1:35.00$26,950 1975Star Of Kuwait 7William MahorneyRobert L. Martin Jawl Brothers miles1:44.80$27,700 1974Yvetot (ARG) 6Frank Olivares William A. PetersonW. K. Gumpert & Edwin Selesnick miles1:43.80$33,400 1973Yvetot (ARG) 5Victor Tejeda William A. PetersonW. K. Gumpert & Edwin Selesnick miles1:44.20$32,150 1972On The Track 5Roy YakaFarrell W. Jones Peter Valenti miles1:44.40$32,100 1971Most Host 5Roy YakaGene Cleveland Laguna Seca Ranch & Dr. Jack Robbins miles1:50.20$26,450 1970Try Sheep 4Merlin VolzkeNoble ThreewittMiddle Ranch & Elizabeth La Tourrette miles2:01.60$26,650 1969Royal Comedian 5Angel ValenzuelaMacKenzie MillerCragwood Stables miles2:01.00$27,500 1968Mainsheet 7 Jack Robinson John S. McCaslin Irene Flinn miles2:01.60$26,850 1967Carang 6Merlin VolzkeCarl A. Roles Mr. & Mrs J. T. Forno miles2:01.00 $16,050 1966High Perch 5Miguel YanezJohn J. Leavitt Cline Hoggard miles2:00.80 $16,375 1965Hasty Trip 3Senen TrevinoRichard ChewMr. & Mrs. Robert J. Cooper miles1:41.60$21,650 1964§ Sari's Song 3Clay BrinsonJess ByrdJ. Kel Houssels1 mile1:38.00$10,725 1963More Megaton 3Raymond YorkJames WallaceMr. & Mrs. Elwood B. Johnston miles1:43.40$10,825 1962Race not held1961Swaps Kin 6Ralph NevesMichael E. MillerickMr. & Mrs. L. K. Shapiro6 furlongs1:09.80$10,000 1960Free Copy 3Angel Valenzuela Daniel ParketMitzvah Stables & Mr. & Mrs. Charles Turner miles1:43.00$11,075 1959Revel 3Ismael Valenzuela C. E. Buck LoganHelen L. Kenaston6 furlongs1:09.60$10,875 1958§ Nushie 3Alex MaeseCarl A. RolesMrs. Harry Curland6 furlongs1:11.00$19,850 1957Fire Alarm 2Manuel YcazaReginald D. CornellMr. & Mrs. John Robinson6 furlongs1:09.60$10,875 2YOsStrong Bay 2William HarmatzRaymond PriddyW. E. Britt1:09.20$10,8001956Lucky G. L. 3Ralph NevesWilliam MolterMr. & Mrs. George Lewis1 mile1:35.20$11,150 1955Noir 3George TaniguchiT. Hart NesbitT. Hart Nesbit6 furlongs1:09.40$11,175 1954Pajone 3Leroy NelsonRichard D. MoonTed T. Nevin6 furlongs1:09.60$11,400 1953Berseem 3Bill ShoemakerReginald D. CornellAbe Hirschberg6 furlongs1:08.80$17,000 1952Big Noise 3Ralph NevesWarren R. StuteBetty Grable & Harry James6 furlongs1:11.40$11,400 1951Palestinian 3William ShoemakerHirsch JacobsI. Bieber9 furlongs1:48$8,375 1950ƒ Bullremember 3Arlin BassettHack RossCarlotta D. Jelm6 furlongs1:10.40$11,740 1949Moonrush 3Ralph NevesWilliam F. Alvarado Anita King & Gus Luellwitz6 furlongs1:10.40$11,120 Berkeley Stakes1948Moonrush 2Ralph NevesWilliam F. Alvarado Anita King & Gus Luellwitz6 furlongs1:11.20$8,675

Legend:

Notes:

§ Ran as an entry

ƒ Filly or Mare

† In the 2012 running of the event Positive Response was first past the post but interfered twice in the last 100 yards with Anthony's Cross who had finished fourth and was disqualified. Positive Response was placed fourth and Awesome Gem was declared the official winner of the event.

‡ In 1948 the event was for two-year-olds that were bred in California

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

References