Golden Gate Handicap (Dirt)

The Golden Gate Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, California. Typically run in late April or early May, it is a handicap race for horses aged three years old and up, contested on the Tapeta Footings all-weather track since 2007, although historically it was run on dirt. The distance of the race has varied over the years, but it is currently contested at one mile and one-sixteenth (approximately 8.5 furlongs). The purse for the Golden Gate Handicap also fluctuates, but generally offers a significant payout for the Northern California racing circuit. The race is a significant event on the Golden Gate Fields racing calendar, attracting both local and out-of-state contenders. Its name references the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, a landmark of the San Francisco Bay Area where the racetrack is located.