Tribesman made a victorious return to the races Friday at Golden Gate Fields when he led from start to finish in the $49,686 sprint feature.
Making his first start since last October, when he captured the $150,000 California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita, Tribesman won Friday’s six-furlong main event by 1 1/2 lengths over Pocosin’s Game Boy in 1:09.45. Big Bad Leroybrown finished third.
The feature lost some luster when the 8-year-old gelding Siren Lure, a Grade 1 stakes-winner with $994,244 in earnings, was scratched from the race Friday morning.
“He did something to his right hind leg,” said trainer Steve Sherman of Siren Lure. “I don’t know if he bumped something in his stall or stretched something, but we’re going to have it scanned. He’s sound jogging on it but there’s a little heat in there and we’re going to error on the side of caution.”
Tribesman, a 5-year-old gelding owned by Kjell H. Qvale of San Francisco and trained by Roger Hansen, recorded his ninth victory in 16 career starts. A California-bred son of Tribal Rule, Tribesman earned $30,420 and the check boosted his bankroll to $407,201.
Tribesman paid $2.40 after being bet down to odds of 1-to-5.
BELMONT STAKES DAY SCHEDULE -- Golden Gate Fields will open all admission gates at 8:30 a.m. Saturday for the simulcast of the entire 13-race Belmont Stakes Day program from Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
Post time for the first race at Belmont Park is 8:35 a.m. Post time for the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown, is 3:27 p.m.
The Belmont Stakes Day program features a $1 million guaranteed Pick Six pool as well as a $1 million guaranteed Pick Four pool. The Pick Six sequence will conclude with the Belmont Stakes and also include the following major stakes: $250,000 True North Handicap, $400,000 Just A Game, $250,000 Woody Stephens, $300,000 Acorn, and the $400,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap.
Golden Gate Fields will present a 10-race card Saturday and post time for the first local event is 12:15 p.m. The track is hosting a wine festival that fans can enjoy for only $15. The festival will feature a variety of California wines, fine food, and live music.