The Gold Rush Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-olds run at Golden Gate Fields in mid-December. An ungraded stakes set at distance of one mile on Tapeta Footings, the Gold Rush currently offers a purse of $75,000.
The race, named for the California Gold Rush of 1849, is a steppingstone to the $100,000 Golden Gate Derby (gr. III).
Past winners
2016 – Colonel Samsen (1:38.59) (Juan J. Hernandez) (trainer Eoin G. Harty) 2015 – Mana Strike (1:38.36) (Pedro M. Terrero) (trainer Frank Lucarelli) 2014 – Stand and Salute (1:39.26) (Russell Baze) (trainer Jerry Hollendorfer) 2013 – Exit Stage Left (1:38.53) (Russell Baze) (trainer Jerry Hollendorfer) 2012 – Zeewat (1:38:13) (Russell Baze) (trainer Jerry Hollendorfer) 2011 – Russian Greek (1:39.18) (Inoel Beato) (trainer Jerry Hollendorfer) 2010 – Positive Response (1:37.75) 2009 – Sourdough Sam (1:39.39) 2008 – Merus Miami (1:38.48) (Alex Bisono) 2007 – El Gato Malo (1:37.62) (Patrick Valenzuela) 2006 – Pure As Gold (Jon Court) 2005 – 2004 – Dover Dere (1:36.55) (Ignacio Puglisi) 2003 – Skipaslew (Eric Saint-Martin) 2002 – Spensive 2001 – Danthebluegrassman (1:34.69) 2000 – I’madrifter 1995 – Petionville 1994 – Bai Brun 1992 – Big Pal 1990 – Restless Con (won the 1990 Haskell Invitational Handicap) 1989 – Avenging Force (Roberto Gonzalez) 1988 – Prospectors Gamble (a leading sire of 1999)
External links Golden Gate Fields website Photos of Golden Gate Fields, including Silky Sullivan memorial and Lost in the Fog