Golden Gate much improved

I have an admission to make: Since moving here nine years ago, I probably haven't bet more than $1,000 total on the races from Northern California. That's no exaggeration.

I was not attracted to the five-, six- and seven-horse fields with jockey Russell Baze riding the odds-on favorite half the time. The Baze aspect didn't affect me as much as the field size. I already was used to Pat Day dominating in Kentucky.

The key was that Day rode in big fields at Churchill Downs and Keeneland. When you tried to beat Day, and that was the best way to make money on that circuit, there were lots of horses to choose from and at a square price.

When you tried to beat Baze in a six-horse field, a live long shot might be at a paltry 3-1 or 4-1 odds. Not much value.

Lately, I've noticed a dramatic change in field size at this Golden Gate Fields meet. It just happens to coincide with its new Tapeta synthetic surface. In the past 12 racing days, they've carded 101 races with 845 runners. That's a good average of 8.36 starters per race. That has to be an improvement over the field sizes I've been accustomed to seeing there.

It remains to be seen how long Golden Gate can keep this up. But if it can maintain the improved field sizes, it bodes well for its business as well as the overall racing business in California.

For example, in the 12 days of this snapshot sample, the Pick 6 carried over a very healthy nine times. The carryovers create more interest in the individual cards and more wagering, of course, in the exotic pools along with the Pick 6.

Bottom line, I like what I'm seeing. Synthetic surfaces were mandated for California tracks for safety. If the byproduct is to increase field size and, thus, overall handle, the courageous experiment is moving in the right direction. Someday soon, maybe you can even ask me who I like on the card at Golden Gate.

• PALAZZO -- The Palazzo will open in late December, but horse racing fans are not welcome. The new $2 billion Strip resort will not have a race book among its gaming amenities. I'm sure they have their reasons. Palazzo guests probably will be ushered over to the Venetian race book for their action. Either the bean-counters suggested the Palazzo floor space would yield more profits from slot machines or they believed horseplayers would sully their classy digs.

• NATIONAL HANDICAPPING CONTEST -- If you missed the popular Horseplayer World Series qualifier Wednesday at The Orleans, make sure you head to Green Valley Ranch on Saturday. A one-day contest will qualify two players for the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship in January. Entry fee is $250.

Richard Eng's horse racing column is published Friday. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com.