Balnikhov faces the entire field in a repeat bid at the San Fran Mile

It will be a bittersweet day Golden Gate Fields April 27 when the $175,000 San Francisco Mile Stakes (G3T) is expected to be the last stakes race ever held at the track that opened in 1941. Golden Gate is expected to closes after the spring tournament ends on June 9.

However, this will likely be a race not worth missing as 13 full and competitive fielders will compete over a mile of field.

Several invaders from Southern California hope to win the prize, including Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables and Old Bones Racing Stable’s Balnikhov for coach Phil D’Amato.

5 year old boy Adaay The gelding is the defending champion and has competed against the best turf runners in California while participating in 12 straight placing bets. However, he has been winless since his spearheading victory at the position last year.

Videotapes: San Francisco Mile S. (G3T)

It’s been nearly three months since his fifth-place finish in the February 3 Thunder Road Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Parkconnections will be hoping a return to Golden Gate will get the gelding back on track.

Alice Bamford and Michael Tabor’s Astronomers started for the first time since fifth in the Seabiscuit Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar November 25. After a neck defeat in the September 30 City of Hope Mile Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita, trainer Simon Callaghan took a shot in the November 4 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) Astronomer pushed the pace but faded to 12th, but was beaten only 5 lengths and 3/4 lengths.

Evin Roman, the rider who led Golden Gate’s final meeting until switching his tactics Turfway Park at the end of January, will return to Golden Gate to ride the Astronomer.

Local connections hope to keep the trophy home

Edward and Theresa DeNike’s Il Bellator will add to the blinkers when he returns after nearly six months off. 5 year old boy Shackleford The gelding has taken the lead in both starts on the Golden Gate turf, including third in this race last year.

Ron Charles and Samuel Gordon Lammas has been in solid form so far in his 7 year old season. In his last four races, across Golden Gate’s all-weather surface, the son of Heeraat has won three times including his last two.

William and Judy Hedrick clovis connection ended 2023 strong, winning two shares at Emerald and a pair of stakes in the California Racing Authority circuit. 4 year old boy Vronsky The gelding went to Santa Anita for his 2024 debut on March 24, his first start since October, for the Sensational Star Stakes, where he finished third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths.