# Golden Gate Handicap (Dirt)

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 1+1⁄16 miles. From 1966 to 1970 the event was held in April and run over a much longer distance of 1+1⁄4 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:
* 1+1⁄16 miles (synthetic) - 1:42.40 Mugaritz (2019)
* 1 mile (dirt) - 1:33.80 Snorter (2004)
* 1+1⁄16 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 | Ref |
| Golden Gate Handicap |||||||||||
| 2023 | War At Sea | 4 | Frank Alvarado | Ronald Ellis | Doubledown Stables | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.48 | $100,900 | III | |
| Berkeley Handicap |||||||||||
| 2022 | Lammas (GB) | 5 | Kevin Radke | Manuel Badilla | Ronald L. Charles & Samuel Gordon | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.42 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2021 | Freeport Joe | 4 | Assael Espinoza | Gloria Haley | Larry Odbert | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.70 | $100,900 | III | |
| 2020 | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held |
| 2019 | Mugaritz | 4 | Ricardo Gonzalez | Jonathan Wong | Alejandro Mercardo | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.40 | $101,500 | III | |
| 2018 | Editore (BRZ) | 6 | Brice Blanc | Paulo H. Lobo | Bonne Chance Farm & Stud R D I | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.94 | $101,125 | III | |
| 2017 | Editore (BRZ) | 5 | Brice Blanc | Paulo H. Lobo | Bonne Chance Farm & Stud R D I | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.37 | $102,025 | III | |
| 2016 | Stryker Phd | 7 | Leslie Mawing | Larry D. Ross | Jim & Mona Hour | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.67 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2015 | Poshsky | 5 | Russell Baze | Peter L. Miller | Silver Ranch Stable & Wachtel Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.70 | $100,210 | III | |
| 2014 | Pepper Crown | 4 | Juan J. Hernandez | Alex Paszkeicz | Alexander A. Paszkeicz Living Trust | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.74 | $100,315 | III | |
| 2013 | Summer Hit | 4 | Russell Baze | Jerry Hollendorfer | John Carver & Jerry Hollendorfer | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.65 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2012 | † Awesome Gem | 9 | Aaron Gryder | Craig Dollase | West Point Thoroughbreds | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.82 | $100,000 | III | |
| Berkeley Stakes |||||||||||
| 2011 | Uh Oh Bango | 4 | Aaron Gryder | R. Kory Owens | Triple AAA Ranch | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.61 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2010 | Run It | 4 | Chad Phillip Schvaneveldt | Dennis M. Patterson | Mercedes Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.50 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2009 | Autism Awareness | 4 | David G. Lopez | Genaro Vallejo | Johnny Taboada | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.12 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2008 | McCann's Mojave | 8 | Frank T. Alvarado | Steven Specht | Mike Willman | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.06 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2007 | My Creed | 6 | Modesto Linares | Robert B. Hess Sr. | Seven Star Racing Stable & Robert B. Hess Sr. | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.46 | $100,000 | III | |
| Berkeley Handicap |||||||||||
| 2006 | Spellbinder | 5 | Roberto M. Gonzalez | Richard E. Mandella | Jerry & Ann Moss | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.07 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2005 | Desert Boom | 5 | Roberto M. Gonzalez | Art Sherman | Robert D. Bone | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.94 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2004 | Snorter | 4 | Russell Baze | Robert J. Frankel | Gary & Mary West Stables | 1 mile | 1:33.80 | $94,375 | III | |
| 2003 | I'madrifter | 5 | Roberto M. Gonzalez | Steven Specht | Daniel O'Neill | 1 mile | 1:35.13 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2002 | Irisheyesareflying | 6 | Jose Valdivia Jr. | John K. Dolan | Dolan Racing Stable, Lloyd Graham & Alice Taylor | 1 mile | 1:35.41 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2001 | Blade Prospector (BRZ) | 6 | Omar A. Berrio | Antonio C. Avila | Raza Stable | 1 mile | 1:34.00 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2000 | § Voice of Destiny | 4 | Rafael Q. Meza | Jerry Hollendorfer | Halo Farms | 1 mile | 1:35.67 | $125,000 | III | |
| 1999 | Hal's Pal (GB) | 6 | Brice Blanc | Ben D. A. Cecil | Addison Racing | 1 mile | 1:34.96 | $125,000 | Listed | |
| 1998 | Wild Wonder | 4 | Russell Baze | Greg Gilchrist | VHW Stables | 1 mile | 1:35.19 | $81,450 | Listed | |
| 1997 | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held |
| 1996 | Houston Fleet M D | 2 | Dennis Carr | Jerry Hollendorfer | Mark DeDomenico & Jerry Hollendorfer | 1 mile | 1:36.67 | $42,600 | | 2YO |
| 1995 | Double Jab | 4 | Russell Baze | Jerry Hollendorfer | Halo Farms | 1 mile | 1:35.18 | $83,475 | Listed | |
| 1994 | § River Special | 4 | Thomas M. Chapman | Charles J. Jenda | Golden Eagle Farm | 1 mile | 1:34.33 | $55,100 | Listed | |
| 1993 | Infamous Deed | 5 | Ronald J. Warren Jr. | Fordell Fierce | Ron Crockett | 1 mile | 1:35.67 | $43,960 | | |
| 1992 | Music Prospector | 5 | Ron D. Hansen | Steven Miyadi | Silky Green | 1 mile | 1:35.29 | $53,950 | | |
| 1991 | High Energy | 4 | Ronald J. Warren Jr. | Jerry M. Fanning | Dennis Beyreuther | 1 mile | 1:35.70 | $55,300 | | |
| 1990 | On the Menu | 4 | Christine Lynn Davenport | William F. Davis | Brent & Terri Carruth | 1 mile | 1:34.80 | $54,100 | | |
| 1989 | Ongoing Mister | 4 | Timothy T. Doocy | James R. Kiesner | Robert Hagopian | 1 mile | 1:34.20 | $56,100 | | |
| 1988 | Sanger Chief | 5 | Timothy T. Doocy | Lloyd C. Mason | Lloyd C. Mason, Paul Cane & Robert H. Klinger | 1 mile | 1:35.60 | $54,000 | | |
| 1987 | Rocky Marriage | 7 | Russell Baze | Robert J. Frankel | Sidney L. Port | 1 mile | 1:36.80 | $54,750 | | |
| 1986 | Sun Master | 5 | Marco Castaneda | Gary F. Jones | Elmendorf Farm | 1 mile | 1:34.60 | $43,400 | | |
| 1985 | Nak Ack | 4 | Joseph C. Judice | Charles C. Foster | Robert C. Brinker | 1 mile | 1:36.20 | $44,800 | | |
| 1984 | Songhay | 5 | Joseph C. Judice | Leon LaGrone | Leon LaGrone | 1 mile | 1:35.40 | $45,300 | | |
| 1983 | Pleasant Power | 5 | Jeff R. Anderson | Jack Arterburn | Joseph E. Awender | 1 mile | 1:40.60 | $45,800 | | |
| 1982 | Foyt's Ack | 7 | Roberto M. Gonzalez | Paul O. Wayt | Red Baron's Barn | 1 mile | 1:38.00 | $40,000+ | | |
| 1981 | Head Hawk | 5 | Danny Sorenson | William A. Findlay | Louis Peretti & Joack Polack | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.60 | $43,750 | | |
| 1980 | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held |
| 1979 | Gustoso | 4 | Rudy Campas | Henry M. Moreno | Louis Lee Brooks Sr. | 1 mile | 1:34.40 | $34,000 | | |
| 1978 | Boy Tike | 5 | Antonio L. Diaz | Eric J. Longden | Harry Gelpar & Eric J. Longden | 1 mile | 1:36.20 | $32,750 | | |
| 1977 | Lino | 5 | Raul Caballero | Ike Orr | Melvin D. Stark | 1 mile | 1:37.40 | $27,300 | | |
| 1976 | Branford Court | 6 | Antonio L. Diaz | Gene Cleveland | Cardiff Stock Farm | 1 mile | 1:35.00 | $26,950 | | |
| 1975 | Star Of Kuwait | 7 | William Mahorney | Robert L. Martin | Jawl Brothers | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.80 | $27,700 | | |
| 1974 | Yvetot (ARG) | 6 | Frank Olivares | William A. Peterson | W. K. Gumpert & Edwin Selesnick | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.80 | $33,400 | | |
| 1973 | Yvetot (ARG) | 5 | Victor Tejeda | William A. Peterson | W. K. Gumpert & Edwin Selesnick | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.20 | $32,150 | | |
| 1972 | On The Track | 5 | Roy Yaka | Farrell W. Jones | Peter Valenti | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.40 | $32,100 | | |
| 1971 | Most Host | 5 | Roy Yaka | Gene Cleveland | Laguna Seca Ranch & Dr. Jack Robbins | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.20 | $26,450 | | |
| 1970 | Try Sheep | 4 | Merlin Volzke | Noble Threewitt | Middle Ranch & Elizabeth La Tourrette | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:01.60 | $26,650 | | |
| 1969 | Royal Comedian | 5 | Angel Valenzuela | MacKenzie Miller | Cragwood Stables | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:01.00 | $27,500 | | |
| 1968 | Mainsheet | 7 | Jack Robinson | John S. McCaslin | Irene Flinn | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:01.60 | $26,850 | | |
| 1967 | Carang | 6 | Merlin Volzke | Carl A. Roles | Mr. & Mrs J. T. Forno | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:01.00 | $16,050 | | |
| 1966 | High Perch | 5 | Miguel Yanez | John J. Leavitt | Cline Hoggard | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:00.80 | $16,375 | | |
| 1965 | Hasty Trip | 3 | Senen Trevino | Richard Chew | Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Cooper | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.60 | $21,650 | | |
| 1964 | § Sari's Song | 3 | Clay Brinson | Jess Byrd | J. Kel Houssels | 1 mile | 1:38.00 | $10,725 | | 3YO fillies |
| 1963 | More Megaton | 3 | Raymond York | James Wallace | Mr. & Mrs. Elwood B. Johnston | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.40 | $10,825 | | 3YOs |
| 1962 | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held |
| 1961 | Swaps Kin | 6 | Ralph Neves | Michael E. Millerick | Mr. & Mrs. L. K. Shapiro | 6 furlongs | 1:09.80 | $10,000 | | |
| 1960 | Free Copy | 3 | Angel Valenzuela | Daniel Parket | Mitzvah Stables & Mr. & Mrs. Charles Turner | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.00 | $11,075 | | 3YOs |
| 1959 | Revel | 3 | Ismael Valenzuela | C. E. Buck Logan | Helen L. Kenaston | 6 furlongs | 1:09.60 | $10,875 | | 3YOs |
| 1958 | § Nushie | 3 | Alex Maese | Carl A. Roles | Mrs. Harry Curland | 6 furlongs | 1:11.00 | $19,850 | | 3YO fillies |
| 1957 | Fire Alarm | 2 | Manuel Ycaza | Reginald D. Cornell | Mr. & Mrs. John Robinson | 6 furlongs | 1:09.60 | $10,875 | 2YOs | Division 1 |
| 1957 | Strong Bay | 2 | William Harmatz | Raymond Priddy | W. E. Britt | 6 furlongs | 1:09.20 | $10,800 | 2YOs | Division 2 |
| 1956 | Lucky G. L. | 3 | Ralph Neves | William Molter | Mr. & Mrs. George Lewis | 1 mile | 1:35.20 | $11,150 | | 3YOs |
| 1955 | Noir | 3 | George Taniguchi | T. Hart Nesbit | T. Hart Nesbit | 6 furlongs | 1:09.40 | $11,175 | | 3YOs |
| 1954 | Pajone | 3 | Leroy Nelson | Richard D. Moon | Ted T. Nevin | 6 furlongs | 1:09.60 | $11,400 | | 3YOs |
| 1953 | Berseem | 3 | Bill Shoemaker | Reginald D. Cornell | Abe Hirschberg | 6 furlongs | 1:08.80 | $17,000 | | 3YOs |
| 1952 | Big Noise | 3 | Ralph Neves | Warren R. Stute | Betty Grable & Harry James | 6 furlongs | 1:11.40 | $11,400 | | 3YOs |
| 1951 | Palestinian | 3 | William Shoemaker | Hirsch Jacobs | I. Bieber | 9 furlongs | 1:48 | $8,375 | | 3YOs |
| 1950 | ƒ Bullremember | 3 | Arlin Bassett | Hack Ross | Carlotta D. Jelm | 6 furlongs | 1:10.40 | $11,740 | | 3YOs |
| 1949 | Moonrush | 3 | Ralph Neves | William F. Alvarado | Anita King & Gus Luellwitz | 6 furlongs | 1:10.40 | $11,120 | | 3YOs |
| Berkeley Stakes |||||||||||
| 1948 | Moonrush | 2 | Ralph Neves | William F. Alvarado | Anita King & Gus Luellwitz | 6 furlongs | 1:11.20 | $8,675 | | 2YOs‡ |
Legend:
 All Weather Track  Dirt  Turf
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