On October 10, 21-year-old Zachary Kennedy was seen by several witnesses on the bridge in California.

His body was later recovered from the water by the US Coast Guard, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Monday at Chelmsford Coroner's Court, coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded a verdict of suicide, saying Mr Kennedy had deliberately taken his own life.

Mr. Kennedy's body was found in the waters of the bay at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, the iconic structure that connects San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

At Monday's hearing, coroner Andre Kimche said: “At the time of his death Mr Kennedy was still living in Maldon.”

“On October 10, he was seen jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

“He was recovered from the water by the Coast Guard and brought to shore.

“American authorities did not take toxicology samples and U.S. medical examiners listed the cause of death as blunt impact injuries.”

Ms Beasley-Murray said: “Given all the evidence presented to this court, I have concluded that this man intended to take his own life.”

“He had the intention and acted consciously, knowing full well that it would cost his life.

“I will conclude that he killed himself.

“Please express my condolences to Mr. Kennedy’s family.”

• For emotional support, please contact the Samaritans hotline on 116 123. This number is free.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The giant Ferris wheel at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is officially moving over to the Fisherman’s Wharf waterfront.

Operators aim to get wheel up and running in time for the APEC conference happening in mid-November.

MORE: How intense APEC Summit security will impact SF roads, public transportation, and tourism

The 150 feet tall SkyStar Observation Wheel will be set-up at a triangular shaped parking lot right next to Pier 39.

Workers are wasting no time getting the ride ready for moving.

On Monday, the gondolas were already taken down.

If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

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The Ferris wheel that’s been spinning next to Golden Gate Park’s Music Concourse for three years is relocating to the more heavily touristed Fisherman’s Wharf, and will reopen in two weeks.

The company that operates the ride, SkyView Partners, announced on its website that the final rides in Golden Gate Park were on Sunday, October 22, and the wheel will now move and start turning again November 10. Anyone with tickets for the coming two weeks can redeem them when it reopens.

SFGate reported the news today, a month after we first heard that SF Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin was pushing to get the ride moved to the Wharf, which is in his district.

City Hall followers and SFist readers may recall how Peskin was a vocal foe of the Ferris wheel before it first opened, arguing that the Parks Alliance, which had arranged for the ride’s arrival for Golden Gate Park’s sesquicentennial celebrations, had overstepped, and that the city wasn’t reaping enough financial benefit from the wheel operators.

When the Ferris wheel’s permit was coming up for an extension in 2021, Peskin and Supervisor Connie Chan pushed back again, citing complaints from neighbors and environmental groups, and suggesting that proper approvals had never been received from two thirds of the Board, as required under the City Charter.

“We are trying to get it out of the park, where it never belonged, and to the wharf, where it is a perfect fit,” Peskin said last month.

And so it shall be.

Kat Anderson, president of the Rec and Parks Commission, told the Chronicle last month, “If [the observation wheel] moves, it will attract visitors and provide a fresh view of our beautiful city.”

It’s still not clear who is footing the bill for the disassembly, move, and reassembly of the wheel. And under the terms of the wheel’s extended permit, the city is only getting 3% of revenues from it.

The wheel will now live, presumably through 2025, in the triangle parking lot next to Boudin Bakery, and it will be open just before 20,000+ attendees of the APEC summit arrive in town.

Previously: Supervisor Peskin Proposes Moving the Golden Gate Ferris Wheel to His District, at Fisherman’s Wharf

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• The owner of a $11million mansion in Russian Hill, San Francisco hung up posters of an unknown trespasser along their property
• A $10,000 reward was offered ‘for successful arrest or prosecution’ of the intruder
• Neighbors said that they have seen the posters up for around two weeks

The owner of an $11million San Francisco mansion hung up posters on their property offering a $10,000 reward for a trespasser who was caught ‘jumping the gate.’ 

The single-family home built in 1853 is situated on a private lot in Russian Hill, a neighborhood of San Francisco. 

Laminated posters were seen along the property’s large white fence and next to the house number with a picture of the unknown intruder. 

The poster also displayed text that said: ‘Have you seen this person? Call 911 if you see him or ANYONE jumping the gate or fence.’ 

‘Man, I want to bring him the guy. I could use $10,000,’ Arthur Vela Boas, a resident of Russian Hill told The San Francisco Standard. 

The owner of an $11 million San Francisco mansion has erected this poster appealing for information about a man seen jumping the property’s gate

It went on to say that the hefty reward would be gifted to someone ‘for successful arrest or prosecution.’ 

DailyMail.com attempted to locate the current owner of the house and contacted neighbors for further information, but it is unclear who the resident is. 

Neighbors said that they have seen the posters displayed for approximately two weeks, but don’t think that they are meant to actually catch the suspect. 

Daniel Detorie, a neighbor who has lived on the same block as the mansion for 32 years said: ‘I think it’s just to scare him away.’ 

The 3,890 square foot mansion with four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms was first listed at $12million in 2019 but was then brought down to $11million. 

It was originally built by Joseph H. Atkinson and is a registered San Francisco Historic Landmark, known as the Atkinson-Escher House. 

The breathtaking mansion is pictured center frame. It sits on one of the city’s famed steep hills The Atkinson-Escher House was built in 1853 by Joseph H. Atkinson and is a registered San Francisco Historic Landmark

According to the Pacific Coast Architecture Database, the house was known as a meeting place for occult seances- paranormal spirit activity- and local high society.

Though it looks as though the owner was trying to pinpoint a specific person, neighbors have said they have a hard time making out the pictures on the poster. 

‘The photo’s really bad. You can’t recognize the guy,’ Vela Boas said. 

The home itself has been updated with an elevator, a two-car garage and excellent views of the Bay Area as its located near North Beach and Nob Hill, California.

Homes in Russian Hill have averaged at $1,452,925, according to Zillow. 

In recent times, San Francisco has been known as one of the county’s most crime-ridden cities and has been filled with excessive drug use and homelessness.

Residents have to pick their way through streets full of unconscious and semi-conscious people in the Tenderloin district of the city as drug and homelessness rates have soared

The city’s overdose deaths soared in August with an additional 84 deaths, 66 involving fentanyl, the deadliest month since 2021.

Many businesses have also shut down in the area due to the unsafe nature of the city and high living costs. 

Photos of an IKEA store that opened its doors in August revealed the now deserted business, as customers said that persistent construction, lack of parking and constant crime has kept them from shopping there. 

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On Nov.14, the Teamsters union went on strike to protest unfair bargaining and a lack of improvement in their contracts. The Teamsters union represents electricians, plumbers, carpenters and other trade skill workers. Union members, students and other people stood with them in solidarity on the picket line while holding signs and marching around the school. Teamsters unions across the other 22 CSU campuses also went on strike today.

The striking party traveled from the picket line, past the Administration building, through the quad, past Burk Hall and the student center, and continued out onto Font Blvd. From there, the striking union walked parallel to the Mashouf Wellness Center and next to the Mary dorm buildings. They then walked on Lake Merced Blvd past the lot 20 parking garage and headed toward Annex 1 and Annex 2. The union then looped back to the picket line.

Jose Fuentes is the business agent for Teamsters Local 2010. Fuentes and others were shouting into bull horns and leading chants while marching around campus. He also helped organize today’s strike on San Francisco State’s campus.

“Our members are willing and able to strike for a day, two days, three days or whatever it takes to get a fair contract,” Fuentes said.

The CSU has not bargained in good faith, according to several Teamsters union members. The CSU is also bringing in contracted workers as replacements for union members on projects like electrical, carpentry and plumbing in new developments being built.

“They’re also trying to take away methods on how to get equity increases,” Fuentes said. “The proposal that they have on the table is not even competitive to the private sector market for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and workers like that.”

Jaime Alvarado is an electrician and a part of the union. Alvarado has been on the picket line since the strike first started at 7 a.m.

Xavier Morgado, an electrician, chants, “We are your community, we support you. Please support us back” to students coming out of the Muni train on the way to classes on 19th Street and Holloway at SFSU on Nov. 14, 2023. (Tam Vu / Golden Gate Xpress)

“We want to show them that we’re ready,” Alvarado said. “We’re ready to do whatever it takes to get a just contract because that’s what it really is about, is to get a fair contract. That’s what we’re striking about.”

Debbie Elia is the facilities project supervisor for housing at SFSU. Elia has been seeing the change in labor wages across the state, but has yet to see a change on campus.

“It’s been years. This is not the first time that they’ve been unfair to us,” Elia said. “It’s been years of unfairness and we’re behind all the other trades locally, and across the state.”

The CSU and Teamsters are at an impasse in their contract negotiations. Both parties are still in the process of bargaining according to an email statement from CSU’s Director of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Amy Bentley-Smith.

“The CSU remains committed to the collective bargaining process and reaching a negotiated agreement for increased compensation with the Teamsters, as we have done with five of our other employee unions in recent weeks,” Bentley-Smith stated in an email.

Students came out and supported the union members who were striking. They could be seen out on the picket line, chanting to people as they crossed said line to go to classes for the day. Some students brought food, hand warmers and more. Dulce Euclide is a first-year child adolescent development major and like other students, was upset about how the CSU has treated the Teamsters union.

“First of all, I think that it’s bullshit,” Euclide said. “I think that especially with the stuff we’ve been seeing for CFA (California Faculty Association), we need to come out and support our workers, there is no difference. We need to support workers’ rights no matter what, they make our school happen.”

Ian Longenbaugh is the general foreman of the new Science building project that is currently in construction. Longenbaugh and his crew had their day cut short because of the strike and chose to stand in solidarity with Teamsters.

Teamsters union members cross the street toward the Muni Station as an act of protest against the unfair bargaining in their contracts on 19th Street and Holloway at SFSU on Nov. 14, 2023. (Tam Vu / Golden Gate Xpress) 

“It makes me feel good knowing that we missed a day’s wages but we all stand together, we stand with them,” Longenbaugh said. “We let them know that because we lost wages, that’s okay. They need better wages for themselves.”

Secretary Treasurer Jason Rabinowitz was out leading the strike into the intersection of 19th and Holloway Ave. Rabinowitz and others successfully stopped traffic a multitude of times and got passersby’s attention.

“We’re standing up to CSU and their arrogance, their greed, their mistreatment of workers,” Rabinowitz said. “We represent 1,100 skilled trades workers throughout CSU who do the hard work that keeps the university running every day.”

Rabinowitz and other members of today’s strike were saying that if their contract demands are not met, then the union will not go back to work and the school will shut down.

“They don’t have a university without our work,” Rabinowitz said. “It’s about time they show appreciation in the form of a fair contract and bargain in good faith with us.”

Those who were out on the picket line want to see the CSU stand with their union workers, not against them. First-year broadcast and electronic communication arts major Elsy Hernandez could be seen passing out flyers that covered all the different reasons for the strike happening today.

“If you’re a student and maybe you don’t understand why you should be supporting this, why you should be out here — it’s all about solidarity,” Hernandez said. “One day we’re gonna be workers, one day we’re gonna be out here fighting for our salary, our rights. It’s these people who are out here doing all of this wonderful work that make our school run.”

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If you’re looking for a neighborhood that gives you that big city feel, Lower Nob Hill might just be the one you’re looking for. Lower Nob Hill is popular among college students because of its proximity to public transportation, relatively affordable rent and nightlife.

San Francisco is largely known for its sky-high rent, so for college students on a fixed budget, affordable rent can be crucial. Though far from bargain prices, Lower Nob Hill has one of the most affordable rents in the city. According to Apartment Advisor, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Lower Nob Hill is $2,200. 

A big draw for students residing in Lower Nob Hill is its proximity to major public transportation lines. The neighborhood sits just a half mile north of Market Street, where major transit systems such as BART and Muni run, making travel in and around the city extremely convenient. Thanks to SF State’s Gator Pass Program, students can ride many of the city’s transportation lines for free. Just tap your student OneCard and you’re good to go!

One of the most attractive aspects of Lower Nob Hill for students is how much is packed into its .25 square mile frame.

Daniel Orman, a fourth-year astrophysics major, chose to live in Lower Nob Hill because of its central location. 

“Everything I need is within walking distance,” Orman said.

The neighborhood boasts an impressive array of bars and venues that are perfect for students looking for a night out. McTeague’s Saloon, DecoDance Bar and Regency Ballroom are just a few of the popular spots in Lower Nob Hill.

Compared to other neighborhoods on this list, Lower Nob Hill is a little the farthest from SF State. However, if you value easy access to public transportation, cheaper rent and lots of things to do in the area, Lower Nob Hill might be the neighborhood for you.

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Golden Gate Village in Marin City. (Robert Tong/Marin Independent Journal)

A recent sewage spill in a Marin City apartment was enough to show that Golden Gate Village residents should be able to rely on response from county environmental health officers.

Over the past decade, oversight of such matters had to go to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, a giant bureaucracy with offices in San Francisco.

The Marin Housing Authority, which manages and governs Golden Gate Village and other public housing in Marin, opted out for HUD to review health-related inspections.

The recent spill prompted a change back.

It makes sense, in terms of the promise of a fast and local response to any problems or complaints and independent oversight to make sure they’ve been remediated properly.

The housing authority says the sewage backup occurred because a tenant had flushed paper towels down a toilet and caused a blockage. The authority called in a plumbing contractor and the line was cleared.

Clean-up and sanitation crews were also called in.

The incident is one of the reasons the authority is replacing sewer pipes as part of the rehabilitation plan for the 60-year-old public housing complex.

Golden Gate Village, with nearly 300 apartments, is the largest and oldest low-rent public housing complex in the county.

The county’s involvement will be to provide oversight of the authority-hired contractor that is the front line when it comes to handling those inspections.

HUD, which funds the public housing, also performs its own inspections.

County and authority officials say that it is unclear why the authority shifted primary oversight to HUD. It may have been because it seemed bureaucratically redundant.

In recent years, the county and the Golden Gate Village Residents Council have had a rocky relationship, with the council filing complaints about rat problems, mold and wiring problems. The council also advanced its own proposal for a multi-million dollar overhaul of the complex, including creating a trust that would enable tenants to own their units.

The primary objective of shifting inspection oversight should be that public housing residents receive the same level of public-health inspection response as anyone else in the county.

If those inspectors come up with a finding with which the housing authority disagrees, that’s part of the process. Protecting the health of the tenants should be the overriding  focus.

The shift to HUD long predates the arrival of Sarah Jones, who took over as head of the county Community Development Agency in April. The county Environmental Health Division is part of her agency.

She told the IJ that the county and the housing authority decided to put the county back in charge of supervisor inspections to add an “extra layer of accountability and objectivity” in the performance of that important job.

It’s the right thing to do.

It is a responsive action and strategy that set a strong standard for local protection of public housing conditions and its tenants in Marin, today and as the authority moves forward with its plans to renovate and repair the Golden Gate Village complex.

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Listing of the Day

Location: Tiburon, California

Price: $11.99 million

A hilltop glass mansion in the Marin County community of

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Tiburon
offers wide-angle views of the San Francisco skyline—plus a pool, a zipline and two fire pits.

“The No. 1 thing that makes this property stand out is the size of the lot, along with the spectacular views that are straight on the city of San Francisco” and both the Golden Gate and Bay bridges, said listing agent Lynnette Kling, who is handling the sale with fellow Coldwell Banker Realty agent Candace Nordstrom.

“Also it has a tennis court, one of just four private courts in all of Tiburon,” Kling said.

“To have 1.44 acres here is almost unheard of,” Nordstrom said. “It’s very woodsy and private, yet you’re right in Tiburon.”

The current owners bought the home in September, she said. “This was going to be a second home for them because they were going to have a business in Marin,” but that fell through and they decided to sell.

More: A Venture Capitalist’s 106-Year-Old Mansion Asks $36 Million in San Francisco

The owner before them had been in the home for more than 10 years, Nordstrom said. “You couldn’t see the city when they moved in. They did over $100,000 of tree work so they would have that straight-on view of the city.”

When you pull into the Mount Tiburon Road property, “you have a wonderful circular driveway surrounded by majestic trees,” Kling said. 

The main level has a living room with dramatic 20-foot ceilings and custom lighting, a view deck, a guest suite, a formal dining room, a sunroom and an office.

The kitchen features an island with a sink, a gas fireplace, painted mahogany cabinets, a butler’s pantry, white granite quartzite countertops and Miele, Thermador and Sub-Zero appliances.

Other design details include custom glass doors throughout, a mix of recently replaced wide-plank white oak and heated cement floors, smart-home technology and high redwood slatted ceilings.

More: Penthouse Atop San Francisco’s Millennium Tower Asks $14 Million

There is a large loft-like family room with a bar on the second floor, and the lower level has a second family/media room and two en-suite bedrooms.

The two-story primary bedroom suite features 22-foot ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, two bathrooms and closets, a gym, office space and a deck, “all with great views of San Francisco and the bridges,” Kling said. “The deck is an amazing area to watch fireworks.”

Stats

The 7,644-square-foot house has five bedrooms, six full bathrooms and one partial bathroom. It sits on a 1.44-acre lot.

Amenities

Amenities include a two-car garage, six fireplaces, two fire pits, a circular driveway, a wine cellar, tiered gardens, mature landscaping, a contemporary infinity pool and spa, a professional tennis and sport court, level lawns, a generator, a zipline across the property, a gated dog run, an outdoor barbecue area and a black granite water feature.

Neighborhood Notes

The property is within a couple of miles of downtown Tiburon, which has many community events, Nordstrom said. “You’re very close to walking trails and you’re very close to Napa.”

“Tiberon is on a peninsula so it’s very safe,” she said. “There’s one road in and one road out.”

The express ferry to San Francisco takes about 20 minutes, she said. It’s about a 20-minute drive to the Golden Gate Bridge and 30 minutes to the city’s business district.

Agents: Candace Nordstrom and Lynnette Kling, Coldwell Banker Realty

View the original listing.

Write to Listing of the Day

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A proposal to host an annual concert series at Golden Gate Park’s Polo Fields beginning in 2024 appears to be making headway after concert promoters and the Recreation and Parks Department reached an agreement with a city manager.

Rec and Park officials said in a statement Friday that concert promoter Another Planet Entertainment has agreed to allow more community input into its plan to host up to three concerts at the Polo Fields over the weekend following the annual Outside Lands Festival in August.

Executive Connie Chan, who represents the Richmond Borough, which includes much of Golden Gate Park, threatened to delay the approval process for the concerts, saying Another Planet Entertainment moved too quickly and didn’t get enough input from their constituents. Her reaction angered some, who saw the concerts as a potential economic and entertainment boon for a city that badly needed both.

On Friday, Chan said in a statement that Rec and Park and Another Planet Entertainment have complied with their calls for a fuller dialogue.

“With this initial agreement, Rec and Park have made a commitment to continue outreach to our community to ensure their concerns are heard while bringing benefits to Richmond and the city at large,” Chan said. “I appreciate Another Planet Entertainment’s willingness to come to the table and recognize the communities I represent. Our discussions have led to community input being a priority in this process to ensure the prevailing wage for all workers and develop concrete initiatives to revitalize the inner city.”

The concerts would be separate and smaller than the Outside Lands concerts, the department added, and they would use some of the infrastructure at the Outside Lands festival to “minimize the impact on the park.” Concert producers will also sponsor free Muni rides to and from the polo fields.

The agreement also provides that Another Planet Entertainment will offer three free concerts downtown at Civic Center Plaza, Union Square and Embarcadero annually for the same three years, spurred by members of the board of directors proposing concerts in the eastern part of the city. In addition, the proposal increased community benefit funding for programs in Sunset and Richmond counties by $10,000 per borough.

Phil Ginsburg, general manager of Rec and Park, called the agreement a “win-win proposition” that will allow the department to preserve its green space while allowing residents the opportunity to be in the front row of “world-class entertainment” that Another Planet Entertainment provides.

According to Rec and Park, Another Planet Entertainment has been working with the City of San Francisco on Outside Lands for 15 years. The planned concerts are also expected to create “hundreds” of jobs, raising $1.4 million for a two-day event and $2.1 million for a three-day event.

The Supervisory Board must vote on the proposal in September. On August 9, the Richmond District Planning Association will host a community meeting.

Reach out to Laya Neelakandan: Laya.Neelakandan@sfchronicle.com

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Kentucky Derby contender Rocket Can pleased trainer Bill Mot with this Sunday morning workout at Churchill Downs. Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs
Jockey James McDonald celebrates Romantic Warrior’s victory in Sunday’s Group 1 QE II Cup in Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club

May 1 (UPI) — With the clock ticking down to Saturday’s Kentucky Derby and the post-position draw looming, the Churchill Downs backstretch was relatively calm, with a side helping of nerves, through the weekend.

Around the world, there was a lot more immediate excitement. Hong Kong’s superstars strutted their stuff on a historic afternoon at Sha Tin Racecourse. The Tenno Sho (Spring) sprung a minor surprise at the new Kyoto Racecourse. There were Royal stirrings — and a washout — in preparation for the British Classics.

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On the domestic front, there was a lot of action for turf-running fillies and mares with trainer Phil D’Amato sending out most of the winners.

As usual, there’s lots to cover and, for the last time this year, we start with the Kentucky Derby doings.

The Triple Crown

The final pieces of the Kentucky Derby puzzle were on their way to Churchill Downs on Sunday with Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Two Phil’s vanning down Interstate 65 from Hawthorne Racecourse and Santa Anita Derby third-place winner Skinner aboard a plane from Santa Anita.

Most of those already on the grounds in Louisville had an easy morning of it, walking or galloping. An exception was the Bill Mott-trained Rocket Can, who worked 5 furlongs in a nice 59 4/5 seconds. “That’s racehorse time for this track,” Mott said.

Like the other trainers with contenders, Mott is warily eyeing Monday’s post-position draw, which can dictate a horse’s chances of a clean trip over the crowded track or a traffic-jammed passage.

“To ensure a win, you’ve got to have a pretty good trip,” Mott said. “It’s such a competitive race that the trip means a lot. Sometimes you get lucky, and sometimes you don’t in such a big field.

“The one thing we all have to prove is if we can get 10 furlongs,” Mott added. “When they turn for home in the Derby, that really sorts them out.”

For those already peeking ahead to potential “new shooters” for second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes on May 20 at Pimlico Racecourse:

Saturday at Golden Gate Fields, Prince Abu Dhabi started last of nine in the $100,000 California Derby, bided his time and then asserted in the stretch run to win by 1/2 length from Phosphorescence.

Trained by Blaine Wright and ridden by Alexander Chavez, the Palace Malice gelding got 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:44.91 and remains undefeated after four starts.

Pimlico officials announced Sunday that Forte, the solid Kentucky Derby favorite, also remains the favorite in the inaugural Preakness Future Wager. That bet will remain open until about 1 hour before Derby post time.

There’s an interesting risk-reward equation at work here, but we can’t figure out quite what it is.

Three-year-old fillies

Lily Poo stalked the pace in Saturday’s $75,000 California Oaks at Golden Gate Fields, advanced to the lead when asked and won off by 2 3/4 lengths. Delusively was second with a late effort.

Lily Poo, a Tapiture filly in from Santa Anita for trainer Michael McCarthy, ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:45.61 with Umberto Rispoli in the irons. She now has two wins and two seconds from five career starts.

Filly & Mare Turf

War Like Goddess, making her first start since finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf last November, took the lead at the top of the stretch in Friday’s $300,000 Grade III Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland and ran on to win the event for the third straight year. Temple City Terror was second, 1 1/2 length in arrears.

War Like Goddess, a 6-year-old daughter of English Channel, ran 1 1/2 miles on good turf in 2:32.11 for jockey Joel Rosario.

“She’s as good or better right now, and she’s just such a really special filly,” winning trainer Bill Mott said. “They don’t come along that often. You can get a lot of horses in the barn, but to have one like this that’s so consistent and she shows up all the time — she’s just a very special horse.”

Saturday’s $100,000 Memories of Silver Stakes for 3-year-old fillies came off the Aqueduct turf and six of the 10 entries were scratched.

Balpool was best of the remainder, taking the lead from odds-on favorite Downtown Mischief entering the stretch and drawing off to win by 3 3/4 lengths over that rival.

Balpool, by Uncaptured, ran 1 mile on a sloppy track in 1:36.75 with Manny Franco up.

Three Southern California invaders filled the trifecta slots in Saturday’s $75,000 Golden Poppy Stakes at Golden Gate fields. Rose Maddox and Nadette both rallied from well back, with Rose Maddox getting there first.

Ever Smart prompted the pace, but then was outfinished, saving show money. Rose Maddox, with Santos Rivera up for trainer Steven Miyadi, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:44.17. She was second in her two previous starts at Santa Anita.

Trainer D’Amato’s had his highly successful turf string playing at home at Santa Anita and up north at Golden Gate during the weekend.

Paris Secret rolled from last of five in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Providencia Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita, got the lead in the stretch and held off Pleasant Wave to win by 3/4 length.

Paris Secret, an Irish-bred miss by Zoffany, finished 1 1/8 miles on firm going in 1:47.50 with Kazushi Kimura up. She won her only start last year in Galway, then finished fourth in the China Doll Stakes at Santa Anita in her debut for D’Amato.

It was D’Amato again in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Wilshire Stakes at Santa Anita. The train saddled Macadamia to stalk the pace, advance through the stretch run and win by 1 length over Quattrolle. Very Scary was third.

Macademia, a 5-year-old, Brazilian-bred mare by Hat Trick, ran 1 mile in 1:33.66 with Tiago Periera in the irons.

Queen Ofthe Temple won a three-horse scramble to the finish in Sunday’s $100,000 Santa Barbara Stakes at Santa Anita, beating the favorite, Duvet Day, by a neck with Exit Soul a head behind that one in third.

Queen Ofthe Temple, a 5-year-old Temple City mare, ran 1 1/2 miles starting on the hillside course, in 2:26.64 with Joe Bravo up for trainer Dan Blacker. D’Amato didn’t have a horse in this one.

Turf Mile

Balnikhov loped along last of nine through the early furlongs of Saturday’s $250,000 Grade III San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields, kicked into action four-wide heading for home and was up to win by a nose over fellow closer Rio King.

Balnikhov, a 4-year-old, Irish-bred gelding by Adaay, finished the 1 mile on firm turf in 1:36.21 with Umberto Rispoli in the irons for D’Amato. Usually competitive, the win was only his second in nine U.S. starts. He raced in France as a 2-year-old.

Turf Sprint

Alice Marble came flying in the stretch run of Saturday’s $75,000 Camilla Urso Stakes for fillies and mares at Golden Gate Fields and got home first by a head over pacesetter Chancery Way.

Alice Marble, a 6-year-old Grazen mare got 5 furlongs on firm turf in 56.59 seconds for jockey Umberto Rispoli. She won her two previous starts, both at Santa Anita, and has finished in the top three in 13 consecutive races. If you guessed she’s trained by D’Amato, you are correct.

Distaff

Adare Manor led comfortably throughout Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita and extended the advantage through the stretch to win by 4 3/4 lengths. Belamore was best of the rest, while watching Adare Manor finish 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.10.

Juan Hernandez rode the 4-year-old Uncle Mo filly for trainer Bob Baffert. She has missed a top-three finish only twice in 10 starts.

Filly & Mare Sprint

Frank’s Rockette, the odds-on favorite, worked her way to the lead at mid-stretch in Saturday’s $175,000 Roxelana Stakes at Churchill Downs and held off the late bid of Last Leaf to win by 3/4 length. Pretty Birdie was 7 lengths farther back in third.

Frank’s Rockette, a 6-year-old Into Mischief Mare, finished 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.86 to kick off the wild stakes program of Kentucky Derby week. Junior Alvarado rode for trainer Bill Mott. It was her third straight win after an 11th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint last November.

Around the world, around the clock

Hong Kong

Things could not have gone much better for the home team in the three Group 1 races comprising Sunday’s FWD Champions Day. Facing a solid phalanx of foreign visitors, the locals carried all before them, sweeping the big events with some records falling along the way before a crowd of 49,496.

Golden Sixty won the FWD Champions Mile for the third straight year, certainly sewing up a third straight Hong Kong Horse of the Year title. According to local abacus experts, his share of the purse boosted him past Winx to the top of the all-time global earnings list.

Romantic Warrior dominated a field that included three visiting international Group 1 winners in the FWD QE II Cup and now is looking around for some foreign travel of his own.

And Lucky Sweynesse, already the world’s top-rated sprinter, was an easy winner in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize and could be headed to Japan or Australia.

“How good are the Hong Kong horses? They’re flying today,” jockey James McDonald said after riding Romantic Warrior to victory.

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges called the performance remarkable, especially for Hong Kong’s first big race day after the lifting early this year of pandemic restrictions.

“What we saw today was absolutely world-class racing and there were absolutely outstanding performances of really great champions of the turf,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

Jockey Vincent Ho rode Golden Sixty confidently and called the 7-year-old “just an amazing horse. He’s going as well as ever. There’s no sign of him dropping in performance.”

Trainer Francis Lui said there is a chance Golden Sixty will return for the Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup next month, but added that December’s Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile is the main target.

Romantic Warrior’s victory in the 2,000-meter QE II Cup came against a field including the likes of Dubai Honor, a British-based runner fresh from two Group 1 wins in Australia, and Japan’s Danon the Kid, who finished second behind him in December in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cup.

“I feel big relief,” said winning trainer Danny Shum, crediting his entire stable team. He said the Champions & Chater is firmly on his radar with an eye toward the Grade 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) in Japan at the start of the 2023-24 Hong Kong season.

Lucky Sweynesse easily saw off local rival Wellington and international raiders Aguri and Flaming Rib in the day’s top-shelf sprint.

“That was what we were hoping to see today,” jockey Zac Purton said. “I feel like we’re going to see a better horse again next season. The sky is the limit at the moment.”

Winning trainer Manfred Man said Lucky Sweynesse will be considered for the likes of the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo in June or The Everest in Sydney in October.

Japan

Justin Palace notched his first Grade 1 victory in Sunday’s Tenno Sho (Spring) at the rebuilt Kyoto Racecourse, sweeping past rivals through the stretch en route to 2 1/2-lengths victory. Deep Bond, who led into mid-stretch, finished second.

The favorite and defending race champion, Titleholder, was pulled up entering the stretch with a leg injury and the Japan Racing Association said only that he was sent for further evaluation.

Winning jockey Christophe Lemaire said Justin Palace “was calm throughout the race and I was sure that he was going to win when we moved up behind Deep Bond and entered the straight. He has become a super horse over long distances so I think he will do well in races like the (Grade 1) Arima Kinen in the future.”

Justin Palace posted two wins and a second in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes (G1) in his 2-year-old year but made little impression in the following year’s Classics. He picked it up later in the season, reporting third in the Grade 1 Kikuka Sho or Japanese St. Leger.

His dam, Palace Rumor, also produced the 2013 Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice and later that year was sold to Katsumi Yoshida for $1.1 million.

Saturday’s Grade 1 TV Tokyo Hai Aoba Sho was a trial for the Japanese Derby and Skilfing acquitted himself well indeed.

Rallying widest of all into the stretch from far off the pace, the Kitasan Black colt reached contention with 200 meters left, hit the front about 100 meters from home and won by 1/2 length from Heart’s Concerto.

He improved to 2-for-2 this season after a win and a second in his juvenile campaign. The 2,400 meters on good to firm turf took 2:23.9 with Christophe Lemaire riding.

England

Friday’s Group 3 bet365 Classic Trial was called off when the going at Sandown was ruled unsafe.

A pity that was, too, as the field left in to test soft ground included not only Their Majesties’ Circle of Fire with Ryan Moore set to ride for trainer Sir Michael Stoute, but also Juddmonte’s Arrest (Frankie Dettori for John and Thady Gosden) and Godolphin’s Flying Honours (William Buick for Charlie Appleby).

Trainers Ralph Beckett and Andrew Balding and jockeys Oisin Murphy and Rossa Ryan also were left idle.

Meanwhile, British racing was put firmly in its place with a decision to move the post time for the June 3 Derby up by three hours from the traditional 4:30 p.m. to avoid conflict with a soccer match on television.

That sounds like a relatively minor change, but consider the likes of Irish-based trainer Aidan O’Brien, an eight-time winner of the race, who normally flies his horses in on race day but now will have to find a Plan B.

“It’s like everything in life,” O’Brien said to Racing Post. “We’ll have to adapt, and that’s just the way it is. Not everything can suit everybody all of the time.”

France

Iresine rallied smartly from the back of the seven-horse field to win Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp by 1 1/4 length over Simca Mile. Bay Bridge was third, and the favorite, Vadini, settled for fourth over a course rated “very soft.”

Iresine, a 6-year-old Manduro gelding, finished in 2:13.39 with Marie Velon riding for trainer Jean-Pierre Gauvin. He has 10 wins from 15 starts and avenged a second-place finish behind Simca Mile in their last start, the Group 2 Prix d’Harcourt.

Gauvin said Iresine “is still a fresh horse because we’ve looked after him,” according to Racing Post. He said the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud is the immediate objective now, followed by a respite.

Then, he said, “I’d like to travel him. There is Ascot. He clearly is effective at this trip and it’s not so far to go. But I’m most tempted by Hong Kong.”

Argentina

Super Shine and Belleza de Arteaga top a field of eight fillies and mares set for Monday’s Group 1 Gran Premio Criadores at Hipodromo de Palermo, a “Win and You’re In” for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff in November at Santa Anita.

Super Shine, a 3-year-old filly by 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, already has two wins this year at Palermo. Belleza de Arteaga, a 5-year-old by Cosmic Tiger, is riding a seven-race winning streak dating back to last Oct. 8.

Meanwhile, back in North America …

Oaklawn Park

Coastal Charm was quickly on the lead in Saturday’s $150,000 Dig a Diamond Stakes and was not for catching. The 4-year-old Ghostzapper filly, with Martin Garcia in the irons, won by 2 1/4 lengths over Gunning with Butterbean third.

Coastal Charm finished 1 mile on a muddy track in 1:39.03. It was the first stakes run for the Steve Hobby trainee.

One race later, Ryvit shot right to the front in the $150,000 Bachelor Stakes for 3-year-olds and cruised home first by 2 lengths over the late-running favorite, Mo Strike.

Ryvit, a Competitive Edge colt, finished the 6 muddy furlongs in 1:11.16 with Keith Asmussen up for trainer Steve Asmussen. Tyler’s Tribe, last year’s Prairie Meadows sensation and failed Breeders’ Cup hope, bled and was pulled up by jockey Kylee Jordan.

Woodbine

Jill Jitterbug, the favorite, came up a neck short of Blind Spot at the finish of Saturday’s $150,000 (Canadian) Star Shoot Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, only to have the stewards reverse that verdict for interference in the stretch.

The 6-furlong victory over the all-weather track gives the Cross Traffic filly three wins from seven starts to go along with two seconds in Turfway Park stakes.

On Sunday, New York Thunder thundered to the lead in the $150,000 (Canadian) Woodstock Stakes for 3-year-olds and kicked away from five rivals to win by 7 1/2 lengths. Ninetyfour Expos beat the rest.

New York Thunder, a Nyquist colt, went off as odds-on favorite and ran 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:08.45 for jockey Ricardo Santana Jr.

Aqueduct

Today’s Flavor, the odds-on favorite, led most of the way to a 3 3/4-lengths victory in Sunday’s $100,000 Affirmed Success Stakes for New York-breds. Sheriff Bianco was best of the rest.

Today’s Flavor, a 5-year-old Laoban gelding, ran 6 furlongs on a sloppy track in 1:09.58 with Manny Franco in the irons.

Golden Gate Fields

Top Harbor came four-wide into the stretch in Saturday’s $75,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes and was along in time to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Larry’s Legend.

Top Harbor, a 5-year-old son of Harbor the Gold, ran 6 furlongs on the all-weather course in 1:09.87 with Frank Alvarado up.

Carole Lombard closed with a rush in Sunday’s $75,000 Campanile Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies and put her head in front of Proof She Zips at the finish.

Carole Lombard, a Grazen filly trained by Phil D’Amato, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:37.97 with Assael Espinoza up.

In the companion $75,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes for state-bred 3-year-olds, Hacking It Up advanced four-wide from the middle of the field to win by 1/2 length over Clovisconnection. Cousin Richie was a late-running third.

Hacking It Up, a Nyquist gelding, finished the 1 mile on the lawn in 1:37.87 with Evin Roman riding.

Fonner Park

Trainer Larry Rivelli obviously is focused on Two Phil’s chances in the Kentucky Derby, but that didn’t prevent him from shipping Buck Moon off from Hawthorne Race Course to Grand Island, Neb., to contest Saturday’s $82,000 Bosselman Pump & Pantry/Gus Fonner Stakes.

The one-time king of Arlington Park’s training ranks was rewarded with the win as Buck Moon stalked the pace made by Louisiana shipper Munqad, then shot by to score by 3 lengths.

Charles Town

Lightnin Runner poked her nose in front of pacesetting, odds-on favorite Great Spirit on the line to win Saturday’s $75,000 Its Binn Too Long Stakes for West Virginia-bred 3-year-old fillies.

Ligthnin Runner, a daughter of Battalion Runner, got 4 1/2 furlongs in 52.71 seconds with David Cardoso riding.

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