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Golden Gate Fields History

 

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS HISTORICAL TIMELINE
	1941	Golden Gate Fields commenced its inaugural meet on February 1, 1941.
	1950	Noor and Citation meet in the 1950 Golden Gate Handicap, after which prompted Citation’s rider, Steve Brooks, to proclaim, “We just can’t beat that horse!” The 1950 Golden Gate Handicap concluded the most remarkable rivalry in racing history to that point and rivals anything since, including the Secretariat—Sham, Affirmed—Alydar, or Sunday Silence—Easy Goer.
	1957	1957 brought Silky Sullivan and any excitement that a previous horse or horse race had provided, would eventually be exceeded by this lovable laggard who would become one of the true legends of the turf.
	1972	February 22, 1972, opening day, Golden Gate debuted its infield turf course. And on the seventh race of the card, Mrs. F.A. Spencer’s Honor’s Justice, ridden by apprentice Raul Ramirez, became the course’s first winner as he defeated Kingpasser.
	1974	April 11, 1974, the first $2 million day in Northern California came on California Derby day.
	1977	March 5, 1977, also California Derby Day, a modern day on-track attendance record for the Bay Area was set as 26,108 fans turned out to see riding sensation, Steve Cauthen, make his local debut aboard Make Amends. Cauthen and Make Amends finished tenth (and last) as the Noble Threewitt trained Cuzwuzwrong sprung the upset.
	1980	February 7, 1980 — Using the American Tote 300, Golden Gate introduces one-window wagering — bet and cash at the same window.
	1981	May 10, 1981 — After an eight-year absence, Sunday racing returns to Northern California. Seven Sunday programs are scheduled during the Tanforan portion of the spring meet. A Mother’s Day program draws 15,378 and Prenotion wins the Oakland Handicap for trainer Doug Utley.
	1984	May 6, 1984 — Nine-year-old John Henry, moving toward a second Horse of the Year title, carries Chris McCarron to a course record win in the Golden Gate Handicap, defeating Silveyville.
	1984	May 6, 1984 — The daily average mutuel handle exceeds $2 million for the first season when the 55-day meet averages $2,004,409.
	1988	May 7, 1988 — Northern California attendance and handle records fall as on-track and satellite crowds total 34,408 and wager $5,715,683 in watching Winning Colors take the Kentucky Derby on a simulcast program.
	1989	January 3, 1989 — Documents are finalized as Ladbroke Group PLC, of London, acquires Golden Gate Fields from Pacific Racing Association and Bay Area Sports Enterprises for $41 million.
	1990	May 5, 1990 — The $6 million handle plateau is reached for the first time and a Northern California attendance record falls as 34,976 at Golden Gate Fields and its satellite locations wager $6,685,040.
	1992	April 16, 1992 — Russell Baze establishes a Northern California record for most victories on a single card when he rides seven winners in nine mounts at Golden Gate Fields..
	1992	June 10, 1992 — Russell Baze sets a Golden Gate record for most wins in a meet with his 165th victory. He eventually finishes with 178 wins.
	1993	March 3, 1993 — Russell Baze becomes only the 23rd rider in racing history to win 4,000 races with a victory aboard Frank Musso in the third race
	1994	April 16, 1994 — Screaming Don, owned by the partnership of Said, Heim and trainer Lanny Sharp, rallied from far back in the 80th running of the California Derby to post the biggest upset ($103.60) in race history.
	1994	May 12, 1994 — Golden Gate Fields presented the first Match Race in track history. Harris Farms and Don Valpredo’s brilliant four-year-old filly, Soviet Problem, dueled with the male rival, Lazor, to the stretch, then drew off to a 4 1¼2-length victory in the six-furlong race. Later in the year, Soviet Problem would lose the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in the final step to Cherokee Run.
	1995	April 15, 1995 — Jockey Eddie Delahoussaye rallies Fine N’ Majestic along the rail of the infield turf course to score a one-length victory in the California Derby. This marked the first time in the 81-year history of the race that it has been contested on the turf. Fine N’ Majestic is trained by Bill Shoemaker, who 47 years earlier at Golden Gate Fields notched the first of his record 8,833 riding victories.
	1995	May 6, 1995 — Sparked by a Kentucky Derby simulcast crowd of 27,710, Golden Gate Fields eclipsed the $7 million plateau in handle for the first time in Northern California history. A total of $7,093,420 is wagered at Golden Gate and its satellite facilities.
	1995	November 19, 1995 — Russell Baze wins the third race of the afternoon aboard Royal Boutique by a head. The victory was number 400 on the year, making him the first jockey in history to reach the 400-win plateau four times.
	1996	April 13, 1996—George Todaro and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer’s Pike Place Dancer becomes the first filly since 1954 (Miz Clementine) to win the California Derby, defeating ten males over the infield turf course as the 4-5 favorite.
	1996	May 1, 1996—Starting a remarkable eight race winning skein, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer equals a Northern California record by saddling five winners on a single card.